What company merged with Blazie Engineering to become Freedom Scientific, and what was the reasoning behind it?

serpa

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000 Henter-Joyce, the leading U.S. software company specializing in products for blind people, has merged with Blazie Engineering, the leading U.S. manufacturer of Braille hardware devices, to form Freedom Scientific Inc., a new company dedicated to offering a broad line of assistive technology products for people with sensory impairments and learning disabilities.... Henter-Joyce and Blazie Engineering will continue to design, develop and manufacture their respective product lines in separate business development units, but their sales, marketing, order entry and administrative functions will be combined at the Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group, to be located in St. Petersburg. Freedom Scientific's corporate headquarters will be in Carlsbad, Calif. Ted Henter said, "... each of us lacked the necessary capital to make it work. When Dick Chandler came along with access to venture capital sources, the pieces just fell into place." Deane Blazie said this about the merger, "... The new company's structure will allow us each to concentrate on what we do best. Dick Chandler brings a background in professional management and a track record of building enterprises through acquisitions and expanding those businesses internationally. Our new company will benefit from numerous synergies, creating the same kind of potential." http://www.allbusiness.com/medicine-health/diseases-disorders-eye-blindness/6420283-1.html Sep 16 10, 5:52 PM