Roland Priestley Pty Ltd History
Roland Priestley Pty Ltd was founded by Roland Priestley in the early 1970s. Back then the company was importing and distributing giftware items.
In the late 1970s early 1980s Roland contracted Multiple Sclerosis which was affecting his mobility. Roland decided to close the giftware buisness and retire. The company although still regestered went into hybernation. Roland did not like retirement, he spent many hours at the MS society and looking at everyone else with all of their difficulties and thought there must be something I can do about it.
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Roland Priestley 1930 - 2005 |
Roland saw an advertisment in an American publication for Rascal Scooters. Roland contacted Electric Mobility in New Jersey to ask them if they had any Australian distributors. Roland imported 2 machines, 1 a Rascal 230 Scooter and a Front Runner from Electric Mobility. Roland was so impressed with the Rascal he thought that he may be able to distribute the Rascal in Australia as well at the same time help his own mobility. At that time there was not a lot available in Australia. In 1988 Roland Priestley Pty Ltd sold its first Rascal Scooter. It had a take - apart aluminium frame, solid state controller, spring suspension and an on board charger which was revolutionary for a mobility scooter in its day.
Later on the convertable front section was an optional extra. Another Rascal first, the ability to interchange front end sections to convert a scooter into a motorised wheelchair, a feature still available today and unique to Rascal. Shortly after was to come the heavy duty model 245 with its class leading 205KG carrying capacity
Along the way Roland was able to take on the Australian ageny for Stand-Aid of Iwoa and PVI ramps to name a few and many more Rascal models were to come and go through the years. Roland also aquired a number of dealers thorought Australia to sell and support his products.
Roland worked in the buisness up until of October 2005 and passed away in December of that year. Today the the buisness is run by his son Anthony. Anthony has been working with Roland since the late 80s and the company continues in Roland's memory.