Salt Lake City, Utah (June 21, 2018) — Ottobock HealthCare, the world-leading supplier of innovative solutions for people with limited mobility, welcomed Governor Mitt Romney to its Manufacturing and Development Center in Salt Lake City, on June 18, when he spent 90 minutes learning about the technology available for helping individuals with mobility challenges regain their freedom of movement.

Romney—who was the 2012 Republican presidential candidate who ran against President Barack Obama—is vying for the Utah Senate seat that will be vacated by long-term Senator Orrin Hatch.

During his visit, Romney toured the 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and chatted with many of the people responsible for manufacturing, servicing and developing life-changing products. Ottobock set up multiple stations throughout the building where Ottobock team members were able to show products designed, tested, manufactured, and serviced on the premises.

Tom Ryan and Bryant Jacobs, two veterans with transfermoral amputations, demonstrated some of Ottobock’s industry-leading prosthetic products, including the X3 and Genium® microprocessor knees and the Challenger and Triton® feet. They also showed him the differences between Ryan’s carbon laminated socket and Jacobs’ osseointegrated prosthesis. Governor Romney was a quick study and asked incisive questions throughout the tour.

“It was an honor to meet, host, and get to know Governor Romney. He is a friend to those with limb loss, mobility challenges, and veterans,” said Scott Schneider, Vice President–Government, Medical Affairs & Future Development at Ottobock Healthcare North America. “I was also very impressed with Governor Romney’s ability to grasp the function and parts of a prosthesis, ask insightful questions of both our team members and the two veterans whom attended today’s event,” Schneider added.

Romney addressed over 200 Ottobock employees after the tour, in a town hall-style meeting, where he discussed the strong values of Utah and stressed the need to continue to provide products and services for veterans at both Veteran Administration (VA) Centers and vouchers for those who wish to seek care outside the VA.

“Governor Romney was thoroughly impressed with our facility, our employees and especially our line of work,” said Brad Ruhl, Managing Director of Ottobock HealthCare North America. “Making a positive difference in people’s lives by helping them with the products that Ottobock makes was a central theme in Romney’s comments.”

“Governor Romney listened carefully to Brad Ruhl and Scott Schneider as they described the legislative challenges that, in some cases, make it difficult for patients to get our technologically appropriate products that would help them maintain or regain their freedom of movement,” said Dave Wall, COO Ottobock HealthCare North America and VP Global Manufacturing. “As a potential future U.S. Senator, his support to our mission is very important.”

As he wrapped up his address, Romney thanked the Ottobock employees for showing him around the facility and sharing the impact of their work. “I appreciate how fortunate you are, that you have not only a good job, but you also are able to do something that’s awfully good,” Romney said. “You not only have a good job; you make things that really improve lives.”