Topic: How To Invest

Mr. McKeough: Would you please share your opinion on Savaria Corp.? Thank you in anticipation.

Article Excerpt

Savaria Corp., $6.05, symbol SIS on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 32.6 million; Market cap: $189.8 million; www.savaria.com), makes products for people with limited mobility. The company has two main divisions: Accessibility (84% of revenue) makes stairlifts, platform lifts and elevators for homes and businesses. Adapted Vehicles (16%) installs ramps and lowered floors in minivans so they can handle wheelchairs. This business serves both private vehicles and taxi fleets. Savaria operates two plants in Canada and one in China. It mainly sells its products and services through 400 independent dealers; major markets are the U.S. (52% of revenue), Canada (38%) and other countries (10%). In September 2014, the company paid $4.7 million for privately held Silver Cross, which sells new and used mobility products through 18 stores—14 in Ontario and four in the U.S. Franchisees operate all but one of these outlets. Thanks in part to this new business, the launch of new products and the recent bankruptcy of a U.S. competitor, Savaria’s revenue rose 14.4% in the…