At WheelchairStrap.com, our product line is only as strong as the people behind it. That's why we're taking a moment to celebrate a vendor who has been doing things right for more than three decades: DIESTCO Manufacturing Corporation of Chico, California.
This month, DIESTCO is marking 34 years of handcrafting premium wheelchair and mobility scooter accessories right here in the USA — and we couldn't be more proud to carry their products.
DIESTCO was founded in 1992 by Dan Diestel, who quite literally built the company's first product — the now-iconic WeatherBreaker™ Canopy — by hand. A recently unearthed archival photo shows Dan hard at work in those early days, developing what would become one of the most trusted wheelchair weather-protection accessories on the market. Early adopters were spotted enjoying the canopy at parks in Chico, CA, and a 1993 feature in the Chico News & Review put DIESTCO on the regional map.
What started as one man's workshop has grown into a nationally recognized manufacturer of wheelchair canopies, heavy-duty scooter covers, underseat storage bags, and more — all while staying true to its made-to-order, handcrafted roots.
A Legacy Built Year by Year
Dan Diestel begins handbuilding the first WeatherBreaker™ Canopy prototypes in his workshop, launching a family business built on American craftsmanship.
The Chico News & Review features DIESTCO products, validating early demand for quality, American-made wheelchair accessories.
DIESTCO grows its catalog to include heavy-duty scooter covers, Glove Box underseat bags, and multiple canopy configurations and colorways.
The DIESTCO Navy Blue Vented WeatherBreaker™ Canopy appears on the hit IFC series Portlandia (Season 2, Episode 1 — "Allergy Pride Parade"), reaching a national audience.
CEO Marli Diestel and Executive Assistant Lydia Thompson represent DIESTCO at MedTrade Expo in Phoenix, AZ, carrying the family legacy into the future.
Products Made by People, for People
One of the things that sets DIESTCO apart in a market flooded with overseas imports is a deceptively simple promise: every product is made to order, by hand, in the United States. No overseas factories. No middlemen. Just skilled American workers crafting mobility accessories with the end user in mind.
This approach is especially meaningful to the veterans and individuals with disabilities DIESTCO serves daily. When you call DIESTCO at 1-800-795-2392, you reach a real person in Chico, California — not an overseas call center. When your wheelchair canopy arrives, it was assembled by someone who takes genuine pride in their work.
Browse the full selection of DIESTCO products available at WheelchairStrap.com below:Great Value - Glove Box Underseat Bag - Cleaver underseat storage that keeps daily essentials with reach. Handcrafted from durable materials for everyday use.
Full DIESTCO Collection - Explore everything Diestco offers - canopies, covers, bags and accessories - all stocked and shipped by WheelchairStrap.comView AllWhy We're Proud to Be a DIESTCO DealerWe've carried DIESTCO products for years, and the relationship goes far beyond a supplier transaction. DIESTCO represents the kind of American manufacturing story we believe in: family ownership, domestic jobs, US-sourced materials, and a commitment to the disability and veteran communities that is genuine — not a marketing slogan.
Their made-to-order model means you receive a product crafted specifically for your order, not pulled from a warehouse pallet that's been sitting for months. Current production time is up to 14 business days, with shipping twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) via FedEx from Chico, California.
Common questions about DIESTCO products and ordering from WheelchairStrap.com.
Where are DIESTCO products manufactured?
What is the WeatherBreaker™ Canopy and who is it for?
How long does it take to receive a DIESTCO order?
Are DIESTCO products covered by insurance or Medicare?
Why buy DIESTCO through WheelchairStrap.com instead of direct?
Does DIESTCO make products for veterans?
Here's to the Next 34 Years
In an age of fast fashion and disposable goods, DIESTCO Mfg. is a reminder that there's still a market — and a deep need — for products made with care, made to last, and made in America. From Dan Diestel's original workshop in 1992 to CEO Marli Diestel representing the brand at MedTrade Expo in 2026, this is a company that has never lost sight of why it exists: to make life more accessible, dignified, and independent for people with mobility needs.
We're grateful to count DIESTCO as a long-term vendor partner, and we look forward to continuing to bring their exceptional products to wheelchair and scooter users across the country and around the world.
Ready to experience the DIESTCO difference? Browse the full DIESTCO collection at WheelchairStrap.com →