What Chairman Industries does

Chairman Industries, founded in 1983 and headquartered at 25 Auret Street, Jeppestown, Johannesburg, is a South African private manufacturer and supplier of custom wheelchairs and mobility aids. The company employs 11-50 people and describes itself as the market-leading supplier and manufacturer of high-quality wheelchairs, accessories and mobility aids for South Africa. Its portfolio spans manual wheelchairs (including the Alto Standing, Custom Lite and Custom Kidz lines), power wheelchairs (Taurus, Jaeger, Rhino, Eagle, Gladiator, Galaxy and the Jericho standing model), paediatric wheelchairs (Crescita Kids), positioning wheelchairs (Carrera), wheelchair attachments (Firefly Electric Scooter, FreeWheel, Speedster), seating and support products, transfer boards, walking aids, and the Railman sub-brand of bathroom safety grabrails. Engineering is grounded in custom fabrication from aluminium and stainless steel, with electric powertrains using 200W-320W motors, lead-acid or lithium batteries, and joystick or specialised controls; custom fitment is performed by trained seating specialists who tailor pressure cushions and configurations to individual body measurements.

The business operates a sales-led, direct-to-customer model combining an e-commerce storefront at chairmanindustries.co.za with a regional contact network across South African provinces and a social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. Customers are individuals with mobility disabilities, including paediatric, heavy-duty/bariatric and standing-wheelchair user segments, supported through enquiry-based, quote-priced sales rather than public list pricing. In addition to its own manufactured brands, Chairman Industries holds distribution agreements for premium international partners: Panthera (Sweden) for ultra-lightweight active wheelchairs, Rio Mobility (USA) for the Firefly scooter attachment, and Spinergy (USA) for high-performance carbon-spoke wheels. Revenue is generated entirely through hardware sales and accessories; pricing is determined per consultation, and the company holds no app, API, or software offering.

Strategically, Chairman Industries appears focused on deepening its position as the comprehensive South African mobility-solutions provider through continual product innovation (Firefly 2.5 launch in 2024, Jericho standing wheelchair), exclusive distribution of foreign premium brands, and category extensions into adjacent accessibility products (Railman bathroom safety, vehicle adaptations). It operates in a single geography (South Africa), is privately held with no disclosed funding, M&A or leadership changes, and shows no adoption of AI or software-driven features in its product set.

Name

Chairman Industries

Legal name

Chairman Industries

Website

https://chairmanindustries.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chairman Industries is a Johannesburg-based, privately-held South African manufacturer founded in 1983 that designs, builds and supplies custom wheelchairs, power chairs, paediatric mobility solutions, wheelchair attachments and accessibility accessories, serving individual mobility-impaired customers across South Africa through direct sales and provincial contacts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobility and Rehabilitation Equipment

akta.pro primary industry

Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes) (HLAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Custom wheelchair manufacturing
• Mobility aid supplies
• Power wheelchair solutions
• Paediatric wheelchair products
• Mobility equipment distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Wheelchair Manufacturing and Sales: Chairman Industries generates revenue through manufacturing and selling custom-built wheelchairs, accessories, and mobility aids. The company offers personalized wheelchair solutions with custom fitment services, selling both proprietary branded products and distributed brands such as Panthera and Rio Mobility.
2. Mobility Aids and Accessories Sales: Revenue generated from selling wheelchair attachments, walking aids, transfer boards, seating and support products, wheelchair wheels and tyres, vehicle adaptations, and Railman grabrails.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chairman Industries designs, manufactures, and supplies custom-built wheelchairs and mobility aids for the South African market. Its core offering includes manual, power, paediatric, positioning, sport, and standing wheelchairs built with personalised fitment services, along with wheelchair attachments, wheels/tyres, seating and support products, transfer aids, walking aids, vehicle adaptations, and Railman bathroom grabrails. The company both manufactures proprietary products and distributes international brands such as Panthera, Rio Mobility (Firefly), and Spinergy.

Product overview

Chairman Industries is a South African manufacturer and supplier of custom wheelchair and mobility solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products across multiple categories. The core offering includes manual wheelchairs (such as the Alto Standing, Custom Lite, and Custom Kidz lines), power wheelchairs (including Taurus, Jaeger, Rhino, Eagle, Gladiator, Galaxy, and Jericho models), and paediatric wheelchairs (Crescita). The company also supplies a full range of mobility accessories including wheelchair attachments (Firefly Electric Scooter, FreeWheel, Speedster), wheelchair wheels and tyres (Spinergy, Fatso, Funky, Standard wheels), walking aids (walkers, rollators, tripods), transfer aids (transfer boards), and seating/support products (cushions, standing frames, pelvic straps). The company differentiates through custom-built solutions, personalised fitment services, and being first to market with innovations in wheelchair technology. Products are manufactured both locally in South Africa and sourced from international partners including Panthera (Sweden), Rio Mobility (USA), and Spinergy (USA).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Railman: Grab rails and bathroom safety products sub-brand

Products and services

• Alto Standing Manual Active Wheelchair Lightweight aluminium standing manual wheelchair with fixed cross brace, fire-resistant seat, and tension-adjustable backrest designed to assist users into a standing position. Built for active adult wheelchair users in South Africa needing occasional standing mobility.
• Carrera Adult Positioning Wheelchair Durable positioning wheelchair with aluminium or steel frame, rigid fire-resistant waterproof leather seat, tilt and recline adjustments, plus headrest and lateral supports. Designed for adult users requiring comprehensive postural positioning support.
• Crescita Kids Folding Manual Wheelchair Lightweight aluminium folding paediatric wheelchair with adjustable height, tilt, and centre of gravity. Available in vibrant orange or green powder-coated finishes for children requiring age-appropriate manual mobility.
• Crescita Kids Power Wheelchair Aluminium paediatric power wheelchair with Dynamic electronics, adjustable tilt and width, dual 200W motors, and lithium battery units sized for children 10"-14". Built for paediatric powered mobility with growth adjustment.
• Firefly Electric Scooter Wheelchair-mounted electric scooter attachment (distributed from Rio Mobility) that transforms manual wheelchairs into high-performance mobility devices with 350W motor, 25km range, and up to 20km/h speed. Current version 2.5.
• FreeWheel Wheelchair Attachment Attachment that fixes to a wheelchair footrest to convert it into a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle for navigating grass, gravel, sand, and snow. Compact storage on the wheelchair when not in use.
• Speedster Electric Wheelchair Scooter Lightweight 15kg attachable electric-powered drive scooter for manual wheelchairs with adjustable clips for varying tube diameters. Manufactured in South Africa.
• Rhino Rigid Power Wheelchair Steel frame rigid power wheelchair with dual 200W motors, adjustable back-to-seat angle, available in sizes 15"-19" with 120kg weight capacity for adult powered mobility.
• Eagle Rigid Tilt-in-Space Power Wheelchair Steel frame tilt-in-space power wheelchair with electric tilt, mechanical recline, dual 200W motors, and dual 38AH lead-acid batteries for users requiring positional tilt.
• Jaeger Folding Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair Heavy duty folding steel power wheelchair with dual 320W motors, dual 35AH batteries, 145kg weight capacity, and double cross-over brace design for bariatric users.
• Gladiator Rigid Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair Heavy duty rigid steel power wheelchair with tilt-in-space functionality, dual 320W motors, dual 55AH batteries, and 140kg weight capacity for higher-load rigid configuration.
• Taurus Folding Power Wheelchair Steel frame folding power wheelchair with dual 200W motors, dual 28AH lead-acid batteries, and joystick control options including chin control for users with limited hand mobility.
• Jericho Rigid Standing Power Wheelchair Steel frame standing power wheelchair with electric reclining, electric tilt, and electric standing functions powered by dual 320W motors and dual 48AH lead-acid batteries. Enables therapeutic standing for cardiovascular, circulation, joint, and bladder/bowel health benefits.
• Galaxy Folding Power Wheelchair Lightweight aluminium folding power wheelchair with dual 200W motors, lithium batteries stored within sideplates, and 120kg weight capacity for portable powered mobility.
• Custom Lite Rigid Active Wheelchair Custom-built high-quality stainless steel rigid active wheelchair with extensive customisation including powder-coated colours, polished finishes, adjustable armrests, footrests, and wheel systems, plus a 5-year frame guarantee.
• Custom Kidz Rigid Frame Wheelchair Custom-built stainless steel rigid wheelchair for children with full customisation, vibrant finishes, and sizes from 10" to 13" for paediatric active users.
• Stainless Steel Standing Frame Therapeutic standing frame with parallel bars, grab bars, aircraft-type buckles, and poly carbon tabletop available in Adult, Junior, and Kiddies sizes for clinical standing therapy.
• Pressure Care Cushion Kit Custom pressure care cushion tailored to individual body measurements, set up by trained seating specialists using various foam options for pressure-injury prevention.
• Stimulite Classic Cushion USA-manufactured honeycomb-structured pressure relief cushion with three layers providing internal contouring and uniform load distribution for long-term wheelchair sitting.
• Pelvic Strap Custom-sized secure pelvic positioning strap for wheelchairs with 1-year guarantee, manufactured in South Africa for postural support.
• Lateral Support Wedges Dual-sided PVA support cushions for wheelchair users with balance challenges, available in custom sizing for trunk positioning.
• Transfer Board Standard Standard straight wooden transfer board made from marine ply with PU varnish finish, backed by 3-year guarantee, manufactured in South Africa.
• Transfer Board Heavy Duty Heavy duty wooden transfer board designed for larger users, made from marine ply with PU varnish finish for enhanced accessibility transfers.
• Transfer Board Banana Curved wooden transfer board with marine ply construction and PU varnish finish for smooth and secure transfers around obstacles.
• Pneumatic Slick Wheelchair Tyre Standard pneumatic slick PU tyre for smooth rides on hard surfaces with adjustable pressure.
• Pneumatic Treaded Wheelchair Tyre Pneumatic treaded PU tyre for enhanced grip on uneven or slippery terrain with adjustable pressure.
• Solid Wheelchair Tyre Maintenance-free solid PU wheelchair tyre eliminating the need for air pressure checks or puncture repairs.
• Funky Wheel Lightweight aluminium 22" wheelchair wheels with black or grey finish, designed for optimal strength and agility.
• Fatso Wheel Super wide balloon wheelchair wheel for off-road mobility on rough, sandy, or gravel terrain, available in 22" or 24" sizes.
• Off-road Treaded Wheelchair Wheel Heavy-duty wheelchair wheel with off-road treaded tyres for superior traction on sandy, muddy, and gravel surfaces, manufactured in South Africa.
• Standard Wheelchair Wheel Stainless steel wheelchair wheel available in 22" or 24" sizes with grey or black treaded or slick tyres, manufactured in South Africa.
• Spinergy Wheels USA-manufactured high-performance lightweight wheelchair wheels with aluminium rim and carbon fibre spokes featuring patented PBO fibre spokes, weighing 687g per wheel.
• Wheelchair Castors Front wheel castors available in stainless steel and aluminium with grey, clear, or black wheels, in sizes from 3" to 8".
• Walking Frame Folding walking frame with four feet, weighing 2.6kg with silver finish and height adjustment.
• Cuatro Walker Four-wheeled walking frame with single or dual brakes, weighing 8.2kg in red finish with height adjustment.
• Rollator Wheeled walking frame for enhanced mobility support and stability for users with partial mobility.
• Tripod Walking stick with three feet for additional support, weighing 0.7kg for users needing lightweight stability aid.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enhanced independence and quality of life for wheelchair users

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PantheracoreTechnology or IntegrationChairman Industries distributes Panthera wheelchairs, including Panthera X3 Ultra Lightweight wheelchair and Panthera U3 Light. Panthera is a premium wheelchair brand known for ultra-lightweight designs.
• Rio MobilitycoreTechnology or IntegrationChairman Industries is the South African distributor for Rio Mobility products including the Firefly Electric Scooter attachment (Firefly 2.5 model). Rio Mobility manufactures innovative mobility attachments that transform wheelchairs into high-performance devices.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Permobil: World leader in power wheelchairs and complex rehab seating (TiLite, ROHO, Corpus); overlaps directly with Chairman's power, paediatric, and seating/positioning product lines but at much larger scale and global reach.
• Pride Mobility: US-based manufacturer of power wheelchairs, scooters, and lift chairs; directly comparable to Chairman's power wheelchair range (Rhino, Eagle, Jaeger, Galaxy, Taurus, Gladiator) but with global distribution.
• Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare: Broad-line medical equipment manufacturer including wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, transfer boards, and bathroom safety products — directly comparable to Chairman's accessories, walking aid, and Railman grabrails portfolio.
• Sunrise Medical: Global wheelchair and mobility manufacturer (Quickie, Zippie, Breezy, RGK) with broad manual and power wheelchair portfolios; comparable to Chairman as a wheelchair specialist, but operating at global scale across many geographies.
• Ottobock: Global prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility/rehab manufacturer offering wheelchairs and standing/positioning devices; competes in the same clinical rehab category as Chairman's standing and positioning wheelchairs.

Direct peers

• Karman Healthcare: Manufacturer of lightweight manual and transport wheelchairs with strong customisation story; competes head-to-head with Chairman's manual and Custom Lite rigid active wheelchair range.
• MEYRA Group: European wheelchair and rehab manufacturer offering manual, power, paediatric, and standing wheelchairs; overlaps with Chairman's full category coverage and custom-build positioning.

Emerging players

• Panthera: Swedish ultra-lightweight rigid wheelchair specialist whose products Chairman distributes in South Africa; directly comparable on the active rigid wheelchair side, but Panthera is the design house while Chairman is the regional channel.

Others

• Rio Mobility: US manufacturer of the Firefly Electric Scooter wheelchair attachment — distributed by Chairman in SA; comparable as a partner/supplier in the wheelchair-attachment category that Chairman also addresses via its own Speedster product.

Regional players

• Shonaquip: South African wheelchair manufacturer focused on paediatric and community mobility solutions; the closest true regional peer to Chairman, sharing geography and the paediatric mobility segment (Crescita Kids / Custom Kidz).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chairmanindustries
• Instagraminstagram.com/chairmanindustries/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chairmanindustries

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chairman Industries