What howell ventures ltd. does

Howell Ventures Ltd., doing business as Sure Grip Hand Controls, is a New Brunswick, Canada-based private manufacturer of hand-control systems and driving aids for drivers with physical disabilities. The company describes itself as "North America's #1 Manufacturer of Hand Controls and driving aids for the disabled" and offers a portfolio that spans the Featherlite electronic hand-control system, traditional mechanical hand controls, switch-based secondary controls, and a Recreation line that extends the technology to off-road and powersports applications, along with related accessories.

The company's products are engineered for installation by certified mobility-equipment technicians and are designed to meet the safety and regulatory requirements governing adaptive driving equipment. Sales and distribution run through a certified mobility-equipment dealer network across North America, with NMEDA and ADED affiliation supporting the dealer and driver-rehabilitation professional channel; a toll-free phone line provides an additional direct-to-consumer purchase path. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, consistent with project-level sales of installed equipment rather than standardized retail SKUs.

Revenue mechanics follow a B2B2C model in which the company sells to certified dealers and directly to individual end users; co-marketing relationships with Toyota Canada and affiliate/community partners such as Gear Up 2 Go, Live After Injury, and UTV Parts and Accessories extend reach into veteran, OEM-aligned, and recreational user segments. There are no disclosed financials, headcount figures, funding rounds, or M&A events in the source material, consistent with a closely held specialty manufacturer operating in a narrow, regulated niche.

Name

howell ventures ltd.

Legal name

Howell Ventures Ltd.

Website

https://suregrip-hvl.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Howell Ventures Ltd. (Sure Grip Hand Controls) is a New Brunswick-based private manufacturer of hand-control systems and driving aids for drivers with physical disabilities, selling through a certified North American mobility-equipment dealer network and via direct phone sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Mobility Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive & Accessibility Input Devices (Switches, Adaptive Controllers, Braille Keyboards) (HDACAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ), Assistive Technology, Adaptive Equipment & Home Exercise Program Training In-Home (HSABADAN)

Keywords

• Adaptive driving equipment
• Hand control systems
• Mobility aids manufacturing
• Vehicle accessibility products
• Disability driving solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Kingsclear

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hand Control Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacture and sale of mechanical and electronic hand control systems for disabled drivers through dealer network and direct inquiries

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Howell Ventures Ltd., operating as Sure Grip Hand Controls, manufactures and sells adaptive hand control systems and driving aids that enable individuals with physical disabilities affecting lower body mobility to operate motor vehicles. The portfolio spans electronic hand controls (Featherlite), mechanical hand controls (Traditional), secondary control systems (Switch), recreational adaptive driving aids, and training/evaluation equipment (TARSUS), distributed primarily through a certified mobility equipment dealer network across North America.

Product overview

Howell Ventures Ltd. (operating as Sure Grip Hand Controls) is North America's #1 manufacturer of hand controls and driving aids for people with disabilities. The product portfolio centers on four core product lines: Featherlite (electronic hand controls), Traditional (mechanical hand controls), Switch (secondary controls), and Recreation products. These core offerings are complemented by training and evaluation equipment (TARSUS Gas & Brake), accessories including steering wheel attachments, display stands, and various specialized control devices such as the Spinner Knob, Electronic Brake Lock, and various Featherlite variants (Push/Twist, Push/Rock, Push/Right Angle, Push/Pull). Secondary control options include Switch UH360, RFMini, RF360, AVQ, Horn Button, and LiftiBoi. The company positions itself as a comprehensive adaptive driving solutions provider serving disabled drivers across North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Featherlite Electronic Hand Controls Electronic hand controls that allow drivers with lower-body disabilities to accelerate and brake using hand-operated electronic mechanisms, designed for ease of use and smooth operation. Multiple operation variants are available (push/twist, push/rock, push/right angle, push/pull) plus an optional left foot accelerator for vehicles.
• Traditional Mechanical Hand Controls Mechanical hand control systems that provide reliable acceleration and braking for individuals with lower-body disabilities using traditional linkage-based mechanisms, valued for durability and longevity.
• Switch Secondary Controls Secondary control systems for adaptive driving that allow drivers with disabilities to operate additional vehicle functions by hand, including switch controls such as the Switch UH360 (360-degree), RFMini, RF360, AVQ, and horn buttons.
• Recreation Adaptive Driving Aids Hand controls and adaptive driving aids specifically designed for recreational vehicle applications, including UTV and off-road vehicle adaptations, sold through certified dealers.
• TARSUS Gas & Brake Training and Evaluation System Gas and brake control system designed for training and evaluation purposes in adaptive driving, used by driver rehabilitation specialists and evaluators to assess and train disabled drivers on proper hand control usage.
• Adaptive Driving Accessories Supplementary adaptive driving products including steering wheel attachments (Spinner Knob, Steering Wheel Extensions), Electronic Brake Lock for vehicle entry/exit safety, LiftiBoi lifting device, display stands for dealers, and CITY Mode driving setting.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Institute for Achievement of Ministry (IAM)minorOthersListed as a partner organization on the Sure Grip website footer. IAM appears to be a related organization serving similar communities.
• National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured partner organization representing mobility equipment dealers. NMEDA is the industry association for adaptive vehicle modifiers and dealers.
• Toyota CanadaminorOthersToyota Canada produced a video featuring Cody Caldwell using Sure Grip products (Spinner knob and Electronic Brake Lock) for adaptive driving. Toyota Canada is featured as a partner/collaborator in customer success content.
• Gear Up 2 GominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner entity on the Sure Grip website, appearing to be a dealer or affiliate company.
• Live After InjuryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner entity on the Sure Grip website, appearing to be a resource/referral partner for injury recovery community.
• Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured partner organization. ADED is the professional association for driver rehabilitation specialists and driver training professionals who evaluate and train disabled drivers.
• UTV Parts and AccessoriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner entity on the Sure Grip website, appearing to be a dealer for recreational vehicle parts.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Drive-Master Co. Drive-Master is a long-standing U.S. manufacturer of hand controls, steering aids, and other adaptive driving equipment for people with disabilities, competing head-to-head with Howell Ventures' Sure Grip in the same product categories and customer segment.
• Bruno Independent Living Aids: Bruno designs and manufactures vehicle lifts, scooter lifts, and adaptive driving accessories for the disabled-driver community, overlapping with Howell Ventures in adaptive driving aids and sharing similar dealer-based distribution.
• Veigel GmbH: Veigel is a German manufacturer of mechanical and electronic hand controls for disabled drivers, paralleling Howell Ventures' product architecture across both Traditional and electronic control categories.

Broad incumbents

• BraunAbility: BraunAbility is the largest U.S. manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and adaptive mobility equipment. While its portfolio is broader than Howell Ventures', it overlaps at the dealer and adaptive-driver customer level and represents a dominant competitive incumbent.
• Vantage Mobility International (VMI): VMI manufactures wheelchair-accessible vans and adaptive driving solutions through a North American dealer network, competing indirectly with Howell Ventures for the same end-customer pool via integrated vehicle conversions.
• MobilityWorks: MobilityWorks operates one of the largest U.S. retail networks for wheelchair-accessible vehicles and adaptive equipment, overlapping with Howell Ventures' dealer/distribution footprint and adaptive-driver customer base.

Emerging players

• Active Controls: Active Controls develops electronic and joystick-based driving controls for individuals with disabilities, overlapping with Howell Ventures' Featherlite electronic product line and serving the same disabled-driver segment.

Others

• National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA): NMEDA is the industry association governing certified mobility equipment dealers in North America; it is a Howell Ventures channel partner and sets quality standards that effectively shape the competitive landscape the company sells into.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg1hC1y5_TCk6hd8u2LT-vw
• Facebookfacebook.com/SureGriphandcontrols
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sure-grip-hand-controls/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/suregriphc

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 howell ventures ltd.