By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The maker of TerraTrike, a sophisticated recumbent tricycle, announced this week that it had its best season ever after logging 40 percent revenue growth and creating three jobs. CNN featured the trikes in a special report in July, and the trikes even boast some rich and famous owners, like Penn Jillette, of comedy duo Penn & Teller.
The company, WizWheelz, located at 4525 Stauffer Ave. SE in Kentwood, manufactures nine trike models and has a test track inside the store where customers can take their potential new ride for a spin.
The trikes have two front wheels, one back wheel, and a low, reclining seat. Models come in steel, aluminum and lightweight carbon fiber frames and start at $999.
“The trikes are very stable because of the low center of gravity, and have a go-cart feeling when you ride them,” says Jeff Yonker, spokesperson. “We make an entry-level trike with three speeds and go all the way up to a high-end trike with 27 speeds.”
Wayne Oom and Jack Wiswell launched WizWheelz in 1996 from a home garage in Hastings. When things took off, they moved to Kentwood where the bikes are assembled from parts made locally and overseas.
This year the company logged 40 percent revenue growth (“in the millions”), doubled the facility to 8,000 square feet, and added three jobs, bringing head count to 13 employees. The company plans to hire more next spring.
“Our trikes are not only a great way to exercise and save at the pump, but a blast to ride,” Yonker says. “We’re serious about the product and about our service, but because we make a product that’s fun, that kind of trickles over into everything we do.”
Source: Jeff Yonker, WizWheelz
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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