Permobil, Inc., has acquired LifeStand, a French company that designs and manufactures stand-up wheelchairs.

Permobil, whose American headquarters is based in Lebanon, Tenn., called the acquisition a part of its “international strategy,” and said in a June 2 news release that the “combined economies of scale will allow the companies to focus on the research and development of new technologies for this increasing segment of wheelchair users.”

LifeStand, founded in France in 1978, makes wheelchairs that stand users upright and can be operated manually, semi-electronically or fully electronically.

Permobil President Larry Jackson said, “The purchase of LifeStand allows Permobil to strengthen our product offering in the standing wheelchair category. For years, we have fought side by side with our Certified Providers and clinicians to educate the industry and funding sources on the benefits of standing chairs. The addition of LifeStand to our product mix enables us to better serve our customers and their needs.”

For more information on LifeStand, visit www.lifestand-usa.com.

For more information on Permobil, visit www.permobil.com.