Miller’s Rentals and Sales is celebrating its diamond jubilee — 75 years of serving patients and their families in Akron, Ohio, and other communities in the state.
A quick Encyclopedia Britannica search reveals how very different the world was in 1949, the year that Miller’s was founded. For context, Harry S. Truman was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1949, for the first of his two elected terms. That year, American and European allies signed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) charter. The People’s Republic of China was established. The first Emmy Awards ceremony for outstanding achievement in television was held. The National Basketball Association was formed.
That was the year, Miller’s noted in a Nov. 18 press release, that John “Jack” Miller and Virginia Miller opened “a small party rental business providing tables, chairs and other party essentials” in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood.
“In 1965, with the introduction of Medicare, the company expanded into home medical equipment, becoming a pioneer in the burgeoning durable medical equipment (DME) industry,” the announcement said. “This pivotal decision laid the foundation for decades of growth and success.”
The second generation of Millers — John J., Larry, Rob, and Charlie — grew the company and opened offices in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown, Ohio.
“Today, under the guidance of President Johnny P. Miller, a proud member of the third generation of the Miller family, the company has further expanded to Columbus and Central Ohio, continuing to serve thousands of clients monthly with solutions designed to improve safety, independence, and quality of life,” the announcement said.
Miller’s provides a full lineup of DME and Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), from pediatric wheeled mobility to consumer and CRT power chairs for adults, seating, CPAP equipment, respiratory equipment, and accessibility equipment such as lift chairs and stairlifts.
“Our core purpose is to provide personalized solutions to improve the quality of life for every client we serve,” said Johnny P. Miller. “This milestone is a testament to the commitment of our incredible team of over 110 dedicated employees and the trust of our clients. We remain dedicated to the values and vision that my grandparents, Jack and Virginia Miller, instilled in this company 75 years ago.”
