Celebrating 45 Years of Improving Lives Through Mobility®

Friendly Wheels, Issue 69
November 2013

With Amigo Mobility International

Today we celebrate Amigo’s 45th Anniversary. Al Thieme‘s goal of Improving Lives Through Mobility® remains the same.

Amigo Mobility Employees

“The reason for starting Amigo was to ‘find a better way‘ for a family member to stay active,” Al said. Amigo’s focus has been to provide each customer with the best product for their needs. From the yellow Amigo Classic Front Drive to the Amigo TravelMate that has stayed consistent.

As founder, Al has the longest tenure with Amigo at 45 years. But, there are many employees who have spent much of their lives as part of the Amigo family. Nine members of our current team have been with Amigo for more than 20 years!

Customization Manager Phil Buetow has been with Amigo for 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. “It is always a great feeling when longtime customers are ready to buy a new Amigo. Especially when they are so pleased with the product that they request the same customizations,” Phil said.

Amigo products have always been held to high standards of quality. No one knows this better than Production Manager Mike Henris.

“The impact Amigo has on a person’s life makes it imperative that we produce the highest quality product,” Mike said. “Our team appreciates the value of the products we build. We are dedicated to quality and care about our products and customers.”

Another employee, Research & Development Manager Al Bussinger (another 30 year team member!) has witnessed much of Amigo’s product evolution. “Amigo is R&D driven, innovation is our passion,” Al said. “I am glad to be part of such a great mission.”

Amigo Mobility Today

The diverse Amigo product line now includes motorized shopping carts and products for outdoor facilities like zoos and amusement parks. In 2005, the Amigo Shabbat was introduced for the use of Orthodox Jews. Now the facility now covers 55,000 square feet, with another expansion coming in 2014. More than 222,000 Amigos have been manufactured since 1968. And we’ve shipped to more than 30 different countries across the globe.

“Our Amigo customers have become friends and family. I’m honored that Amigo is part of their lives and I really enjoy keeping in touch with them,” Al said. “When someone tells me they couldn’t get by without their Amigo, it means so much to me. I love that we are able to help them.”

Do you have a favorite Amigo memory from the past 45 years? We’d love to hear it! Send your story to zmyers@myamigo.com, and we’ll post it on the Amigo Mobility blog!