PRC Celebrates 45 Years
Contact: Jo Donofrio: jmd@prentrom.com; (800)262-1984, ext. 268
For Immediate Release
PRC Celebrates 45 Years
Leader in Augmentative Communication Technologies and AAC Solutions
Wooster, OH, June 30, 2011 – Prentke Romich Company (PRC) is proud to mark 45 years of providing quality products in the field of augmentative and assistive communication (AAC) technology.
In 2006, PRC celebrated their 40th anniversary through a unique "40 for 40" program. Through this program, PRC donated 40 of its industry-leading speech-generating devices to children and adults with speech disorders who lacked funding for a device. This year, PRC again recognizes those individuals by sharing a few of their stories and highlighting how having an AAC device has impacted their lives. Their stories will be posted on the PRC website (www.prentrom.com) through the remainder of 2011.
PRC, Then and Now
Prentke was a research engineer at Highland View Hospital in Cleveland, OH in 1964 when he first met Romich, an engineering student at Cleveland's Case Institute of Technology (now part of Case Western Reserve University). The two participated in a federally funded medical engineering research program and formed PRC in 1966 to continue their collaboration on assistive technologies.
PRC employees began taking ownership of the company through an employee stock ownership program (ESOP) in 2003. Today, PRC is 100% employee owned. PRC President David L. Moffatt states, "Doing business with an employee-owned company assures that every interaction is with an employee owner committed to providing world-class service." Moffatt continues, "Company co-founders Edwin Prentke (deceased) and Barry Romich made the decision to switch to an employee-owned company to ensure PRC's success, while rewarding employees committed to changing the lives of their customers."
Today PRC is a member of a consortium of companies that are pioneers in the field of assistive technology and augmentative communication. The group includes PRC (USA), Saltillo Corporation (USA), Liberator Ltd. (UK), Prentke Romich Deutchland (Germany) and Liberator Pty Ltd. (Australia). These companies bring a broad range of products and services to provide the most comprehensive line of AAC devices in the industry. The employee-owners of this consortium, many of whom have been with their organizations for more than 20 years, have dedicated their careers to assisting individuals with disabilities through the use of technology.
PRC has earned international acclaim as the leader in developing high-quality augmentative communication devices and delivering world-class service and support that enables adults and children to overcome communication challenges. "The same values that inspired PRC's founders -- innovation, compassion, and a commitment to communication without limitations -- continue to guide PRC today," said Moffatt. "They are the values that will guide PRC into the future."
About PRC
PRC is a global leader in the development and manufacture of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, computer access products, and other assistive technology for people with speech disabilities.
A 100% employee-owned company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Wooster, OH, PRC has enabled thousands of children and adults worldwide with speech disorders to achieve spontaneous, independent, and interactive communication regardless of their disability, literacy level, or motor skills.
PRC received ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc) Accreditation status in May 2009, ISO 9001:2008 certification in March 2006, and maintains a leadership role in the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).
For more information, go to prentrom.com or call (800) 262-1984.
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