AbleNet Acquires Madentec to Enhance its Computer Access Product Portfolio

Dec. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- St. Paul, MN – December 3, 2012 – AbleNet, Inc. announced today the acquisition of the assets of Madentec Limited of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada a company that designs and builds computer access products specifically for persons with disabilities.  This acquisition is a direct result of a previous agreement, which gave AbleNet exclusive rights globally to manufacture and distribute Madentec’s products.  AbleNet’s portfolio of computer access products continues to grow and is strengthened with the edition of the Madentec products, which includes the TrackerPro™ and IntelliSwitch™.

"We have worked very hard over the last several years to ensure we have represented the products with a high degree of quality and support.  I am delighted that Madentec has agreed to allow us the opportunity to acquire the products and make them a permanent part of our computer access portfolio.” said Jennifer Thalhuber, CEO of AbleNet, Inc. "We continue to be dedicated to product development and look forward to an opportunity to invests and enhance these great products.”

The Madentec product brands will be retained to leverage the market position the company has earned. The Tracker brand, for example, has been in the market for 15 years and is a leader with its infrared light which allows hands free movement of the mouse curser for those who cannot use a computer mouse for navigation. Other Madentec products include the IntelliSwitch, DiscoverPro, ScreenDoors, Magic Cursor and Discover Envoy.

"By entering into an exclusive licenses agreement, we had an opportunity to make sure both our customers and our products were supported just as they were with Madentec.  AbleNet has demonstrated a commitment to our products and we felt it was time to allow them to add the products permanently to their portfolio," said Randy Marsden, President & CEO of Madentec. "It has been an honor to be a major contributor to bringing computer access tools to the thousands of people with disabilities.  We are confident AbleNet will not only support the products but invest in them for the future. This really is an ideal opportunity for the two organizations but more importantly for the customers."

Madentec has focused on product development over its 23 years of operation. Their products have received numerous awards over the years including the Industrial Design Magazine Award and the Best New Technology of the Year Award from the Electronic Industry Association of Alberta.

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About AbleNet
AbleNet is an international company and industry leader in providing educational and technical solutions to help children and adults with disabilities lead productive and fulfilled lives. This includes a complete line of communication aids for nonverbal individuals; access aids, such as switches and wheelchair-mounting devices for people who require physical supports; and special education classroom curriculum and software that both enhance and help ensure learning progress. Our products are used in hundreds of thousands of homes, clinics and classrooms in the United States and across the globe. AbleNet is an ESOP company located in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information visit http://www.ablenetinc.com.

About Madentec Limited
Madentec Limited is a leading supplier of assistive technology for people with physical disabilities. Products include solutions for accessing and controlling a computer or communication device 100% hands-free by using Tracker products as well as an alternate keyboard or scanning access through the Discover product line. These products are ideally suited to people with severe physical disabilities, including: quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, ALS and muscular dystrophy.