About Us
THE HISTORY
Mobile Specialty Vehicles was founded as Mobile Medical Vehicles, Inc. and operated under the assumed name of Mobile Medical® in November of 1980 by Daniel S. Ayres.
The Ayres family has been true pioneers in the specialty and recreational vehicle industry and got their start in the early 1950’s. David Ayres, the father of Daniel Ayres, was one of the founding members and former president of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). The Ayres family operated 3 large and highly successful dealerships in Beaumont, Houston, and Dallas, Texas. The dealerships were also fully equipped up-fitters, as well as manufacturers, that built trailers from the ground up for such unique applications as atmospheric testing vehicles for the petroleum industry. Daniel got his start in the family business at the ripe age of 6 years old, first sweeping the shop and later working in the engineering and fabricating divisions, hand drawing these custom vehicles to be built from scratch. His eye for detail and his attention to customer service would later build the foundation for what would be the most prestigious name in specialty vehicles.
THE VISION
Daniel volunteered to sit on the board of the Deep East Texas Regional Health Center, a 330 Federally Funded Community Health Center. Daniel was later nominated and elected to be the Chairman and President. In this position, he brought his experience in specialty vehicles and applied it to healthcare. He quickly discovered that one of the primary problems with keeping the community healthy was access to healthcare. A health organization can keep its catchment area “well” for pennies versus thousands of dollars in Emergency Room visits for sickness and disease that could have easily been prevented. With a lifetime of specialty vehicle experience and a heart for the needs of the less fortunate, Mobile Medical® was born. Sadly, years later, Daniel’s wife of nearly 30 years and business partner succumbed to a long fight with breast cancer. Who knew that the vision for keeping people well and preaching early detection would have such an impact so close to home? She is deeply missed.
THE MISSION
As MSV prospered and its reputation for producing high quality medical vehicles grew, more inquiries came in for vehicles of all types. In 1997 Daniel hired his close friend and surrogate son, Glen Henderson, to head the sales department and help grow the business. The company has since grown to build vehicles for every manner of application on many different platforms, from command and control units, to mobile surgery trailers, and even medical boats. MSV builds them all and backs them with the industry’s best customer service.
THE FUTURE
In January of 2008, Glen Henderson was promoted from Executive Vice President to President and CEO. Daniel now holds the title of Chairman and handles special projects. He is happily enjoying his new marriage to his wife Cheryl and his much deserved decreased responsibilities.
MSV has built the most dynamic sales and operational forces in the industry and utilizes cutting edge technology to support its growth. Mobile Specialty Vehicles is today, a global company, fiscally strong with an aggressive appetite for increasing its market share through acquisition and an advanced marketing strategy. The outlook couldn’t be better with annual restrained growth at 40% (excluding acquisitions), the future is bright indeed.
