THIIS Trade Magazine - June 15

Issue 201 • June 2015

Providing news and views in the trade since 1999

TRADE MAGAZINE

For everything new

Millbrook goes retail with mi-life DEAL ON TRADE OFFERS

RETAIL SOFTWARE TAKES OFF

NEW ON THE MARKET

NEW RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES

CHARGING CHALLENGE NEW TO THE TEAM

making life better by design “We decided it was time to introduce contemporary design and new levels of comfort to furniture for the independent living sector. We also wanted to make it choosing style, functionality and fabric selection simple.

We created accentu8 - British designed and made rise and recline chairs, engineered and crafted with care and so easy to select for every need. We look forward to the introducing you to accentu8, a world where we redefine motion furniture.�

Angela Gidden MBE, Consultant Creative Director & Designer, accentu8

explore accentu8 today and receive our brochure www.accentu8.net t 01446 776111

…from the editor It might be some months until the doors for Trade Days open for the second time, but now’s the time to make plans to be there.

If you didn’t go last year, then you might have heard that it was a very different two days to anything that had been seen in the UK before.

Trade only, with plenty of business going on, all the comments from both exhibitors and visitors were very, very positive.

The organisers, CloserStill Media, are looking to build on the success of the launch event with an even better experience for retailers looking to develop their businesses.

There’s a free draw for accommodation at the show for anyone who is one of the first 500 to register and so now is the time to get the dates in the diary – Sunday October 18th and Monday October 19th at the NEC. You can see the latest exhibitor list, which is certain to include many of your key suppliers and you can register at www.tradedays.co.uk

8

“One of our roles is to stimulate the market through retail outlets and marketing”

16

“We tend to market products with a low price point starting for just a few pounds”

24

“There were the opportunities to discuss prices, margins and deals in detail – something you cannot really do at other shows”

David N Russell Editor

26

“For mobility retailers, being able to offer additional power to their customers is a huge sales advantage”

Don’t be shy, why not get in touch...

On the front...

Editor

A new style of retail outlet – see page 6.

David N Russell Tel: 01536 710050 E-mail: info@thiis.co.uk

Assistant Editor

Advertising Enquiries

Calvin Barnett 01933 278086 newsroom@thiis.co.uk

Ed, Jayne or Sue 01536 317000 advertising@thiis.co.uk

You can find THIIS on Twitter at: wwwthiiscouk

www.thiis.co.uk 3

18th & 19th October 2015 / NEC Birmingham

Ellen, Blue Badge Company

David, Gordon Ellis

Join us again at the UK’s sole TRADE ONLY business to business event for the mobility, living aids and assistive technology industry.

Kim, Sidhil

Meet over 130 suppliers

Sarah, Helping Hand

Over 3500 visitors expected at the show: Trade Days unique retailers plus buyers from the co-located Pharmacy Show Take advantage of the special trade deals and save £££

Elaine, Electric Mobility

Choose from a packed programme of free business, sales and marketing seminars

Mark, Able2

Angus, Happy Legs

Supported by:

Rebecca, Capatex

The first 500 registrants will be entered into a draw to win a night stay at Trade Days 2015!

95% of the show floor is now booked. Speak to Clare Johnson on 01962 736989 or c.johnson@closerstillmedia.com for more information on exhibiting this year.

We guarantee you’ll see all the suppliers you need at TRADE DAYS this year…

A & D Instruments Ltd Able2 Uk Ltd Ableworld Franchise Ltd accentu8 Aidapt Bathrooms Ltd All Batteries UK Ltd Altade Ltd amplicomms Assistive Partner Ltd Autochair Ltd Bathex Ltd BES Rehab Ltd Between the Sheets Ltd Bibbles (Bandana Bibs) ltd Bibetta Ltd Blazebrite Ltd t/a Experia Blue Badge Company Ltd Brig-Ayd Control British Association and College of Occupational Therapists British Healthcare Trades Association Camelot Furniture Ltd Capatex Ltd Cefndy Healthcare & Manufacturing CG Murray and Son Ltd CJ Commercials Ltd Classic Canes CPC Battery Services Ltd Dartex Coatings Ltd Drive Medical Ltd Electric Mobility Euro Ltd Embryonyx Ltd Enable Access LP F A Parkes (MBF) Ltd First Senior Group Flexel UK Ltd FlexyFoot Ltd

Foot Shop Ltd Freerider-Luggie UK Ltd Furmanac Ltd Geemarc Telecom Ltd Globaleather Gordon Ellis & Co Guy-Raymond Engineering Company Ltd Haze Batteries UK Ltd Healthcare and Assistive Technology Society Healthcare Distribution Direct Ltd Horizon Mobility Ltd Hospital Direct (Marketing) Ltd Incy Wincy Ltd Isagi Ltd Ivanhoe Trading Ltd Jetmarine Ltd Karapharm Karma Mobility Limited Kco Beauty Kymco Healthcare UK Ltd Laybrook Ltd Leoch Battery Shenzhen Corp Mackworth Healthcare Ltd Manbat Ltd Mark Bates Limited Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd Medpage Ltd MG Retail Consulting Ltd MK Battery International Ltd Mobility Choices Multilift Parts Ltd NAEP UK Ontex Healthcare UK Ltd Osprey Healthcare Ltd Paroh Ltd Patterson Medical Ltd

PharmaQuest Industries Platinum Batteries Precision Design Services Ltd t/a PDS Hygiene Primacare Ltd R82 UK Ltd Redwood TTM Repose Furniture Ltd Rika Plast A/S Rise and Recline Ltd Roma Medical Aids Ltd Royams Sandpiper Scootertech Ltd Sidhil Limited Simplantex Healthcare Ltd SLC Care T/A Healthcare Matters Spearhead Steroplast Healthcare Ltd Suite Options Ltd Sunrise Medical Ltd Swallow Evacuation and Mobility Products Limited Symmetrikit Tap2tag Tente Castors LTD TGA Electric Leisure Ltd/ TGA Mobility The Kirton Healthcare Group Ltd The Ramp People The Sticker Haus UK Ltd Thesis Technology Products Topro Ltd Trans Global Sports Ltd Uniscan Ltd Van Os Medical UK Ltd

…and many more

Register for your FREE place now at: www.tradedays.co.uk /thiis

Millbrook goes retail with mi-life Millbrook Healthcare is a leading provider of Community Equipment service contracts to health and social care throughout the UK covering a population base of over 6.3 million, and is one of the largest independent wheelchair providers in the UK providing services to over 120,000 wheelchair users.

Bright, colourful and very modern, the company is now rolling out its own brand ‘mi-life’ showrooms across the UK which, at present, are connected with the contracts being won for Wheelchair Services and Community Loan Stores.

THIIS spoke to Phil Campling, Managing Director at Millbrook Healthcare, to find out more about the new concept and plans for the future.

The emergence of the mi-life concept, Phil told us, is very much connected to the growth in the company’s business. “The development of our retail outlets has followed the development of our contract business and with more and more self-funders, we believe there is a real gap in the market to provide mobility outlets which 6 www.thiis.co.uk

MD Phil Campling is hoping for a number of store openings in the near future

customers want to come to and have a different experience.”

The feel and look of the stores is down to the people in the business, as Phil told us: “I set the management team a challenge - to “We were looking for a different create something new, somewhere that people approach, moving away from would want to come to for advice and have a genuine what can sometimes be a drab retail experience. We were environment” looking for a different approach, moving away from what can sometimes be a drab environment to one which is inviting and more colourful.”

He added: “We designed the concept

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ourselves and created the mi-life brand and imagery with support from a marketing team.

The mi-life brand, we feel is something quite different within our industry, getting away from the corporate style and building something that will be easily recognised. Our brand is more about aspirational living than focussing on disability. We want people to visit our stores to see how equipment can make a positive difference and support them to live longer and better within their own homes.”

Phil talked about the new Care Act being important in the process, with the onus to signpost people to various services being one of the drivers behind the move to co-located services. For example, in their new Kettering service centre, there was an opportunity to house the Northamptonshire Wheelchair Services in part of the building, with the mi-life showroom at the front. In Warwickshire, the company has a Community Loan Store in the same premises as the retail outlet. In Dorset, the store is running alongside the company’s Home Improvement Agency contract. Phil talks about “selling the vision of private and public sectors coming together.”

In short, it’s very much a joined up approach that aims to benefit the company, customer and commissioners alike. Phil says that there is a real push for the company to highlight the self-funding opportunities. “Everyone is fully aware that there is a limit to statutory funding and so one of our roles is to stimulate the market through retail outlets and marketing.”

So, does this move mean that we are likely to see more and more retail outlets alongside the services being provided through the contracts?

It seems so, as Phil explained: “The market is clearly moving in the direction of increasing awareness of the products available and the selffunding opportunities.”

And there is momentum too. Millbrook is soon to launch stores in Oxfordshire, connected with the Community Equipment Service and in Eastbourne later in the year, again, co-located with the East Sussex Wheelchair Service.

“Depending on other contract wins this year”, Phil says, “we could potentially have up to seven or eight mi-life stores by the end of 2015.”

Phil also sees the possibility of opening stores that are not connected with services

that are being run through a contract. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t open stand-alone stores in the future, as long as we are able to deliver a service under a recognisable brand that “One of our roles is people will trust to come to. That’s the message the market through that we will be using in our and marketing” marketing and we have what I believe are some very innovative marketing campaigns that people will see in the near future.”

The website for Millbrook is at www.millbrookhealthcare.co.uk The website for the stores is at www.mi-life.com

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Belgium win for scooter The Quingo Flyte, the 5 wheel, self-loading, portable mobility scooter, recently won the best innovation award at the REVA Expo in Ghent, Belgium.

With its lightweight docking station and ramps, the Flyte allows users to load and unload the scooter by remote in and out of most hatchbacks, estates, SUVs and 4x4s with ease – all in less than 60 seconds.

Advanced Vehicle Concepts Managing Director Mark Nicholls told us: “The Quingo Flyte is already enjoying great success in the UK. It is now available for the first time in several other EU countries including Holland, Germany, Spain, Sweden and now, of course, Belgium.

For international enquiries contact AVC at www.quingo.co.com

Does advertising in THIIS work?

Does advertising work in THIIS magazine.

This is what Julian Cobbledick of Assistive Partner thinks…

“We supply a range of software for healthcare.

Since our company’s formation in 2007, Assistive Partner has grown consistently and profitably each year. Somehow, all of that growth has been driven by word of mouth and referral (with the odd successful tender thrown in).

Like any expanding organisation though, to continue the momentum, there has inevitably come a time when we have had to invest in some limited promotional activity. Our first attempt has been very successful and has yielded an excellent return on investment.

And it’s thanks to THIIS magazine. Our first series of three advertisements has resulted in a number of high quality leads and several 10 www.thiis.co.uk

sales. So we have decided to extend the THIIS advertising campaign, try a few new offers in DealON! and generally embark on increasing our marketing efforts on several fronts.

I can honestly say that our experience clearly shows that advertising to mobility retailers in THIIS gets results. Thank you.”

Julian Cobbledick, Director, Assistive Partner

in the frame

Champagne launch for Kymco KYMCO Healthcare held a Champagne launch at Naidex for their latest new design – the Agility 8mph scooter. National Sales Manager, Nick Peel reported that the feedback on the new styling and many new features was overwhelming: “We are delighted at the positive response to our new products at the show and look forward to even more success at Trade Days 2015 later this year. KYMCO will be on Stand B31 at Trade Days.

Big sales win for TGA – 3-0!

TGA Mobility recently held their annual internal 6-a-side football match that delivered a 3-0 victory for the sales department. Every year the service and sales departments of TGA compete against one another on a local Astro turf pitch to win the converted Tiller Trophy.

The photograph shows the TGA Sales team in the green strip. Pictured from left to right - Back row: Garth Allmark, Martyn Simpson, Wayne Galloway, Elliot Coward, Daniel Salter, Justin Bone, Ben Mulroy, Tim Mills. Front row: Eric Cooper, Alex Mather, Mark Hammond, Justin Horne, Tim Ross, Jack Goodwin.

12 www.thiis.co.uk

Cheers! - From Left to right, Mark Hermolle, Nick Peel, Keir French, Mike Huang and Pat Bevan

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in the frame Toupee or not toupee The team at Silvalea took on the challenge recently to ‘don a wig’ to fundraise in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

The manufacturer of moving and handling products and patient slings raised money by organising a collection throughout the staff and, as you can see, a great time was had by all.

Support for Tennis star Invacare is supporting tennis athlete Andy Lapthorne with Küschall and Top End chairs.

The presentation of products took place alongside world veteran tennis ace, friend and mentor Peter Norfolk, OBE at his retail outlet EPC in Farnborough.

Andy, currently ranked number 3 in the world, was presented with a Küschall KSL and a Top End T5 tennis chair.

At only 24 and already on the world tennis circuit, Andy is looking forward to representing Great Britain at the Paralympics in Rio 2016.

More information on the products at www.invacare.co.uk

1000 mile scooter world record smashed Andy McIntosh, a disabled Army Corporal has achieved a new world record by driving a TGA Breeze mobility scooter from John O’Groats to Land’s End in the shortest time ever.

He managed the 1,000 miles in 16 days 8 hours. Pending final ratification by Guinness World Records, he beat the current record, which stood at 24 days and 9 hours, by an incredible 8 days 1 hour.

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Our Horizon Plus now comes with a footrest lever on both sides, making lowering and raising the footrest safer and easier than ever.

Whether you board the stairlift from the top of the stairs or the bottom, a footrest lever is always within easy reach.

Powered Swivel

Another improvement which isn’t so obvious from the outside, is the introduction of a new powered swivel mechanism. Designed to make your stairlift ride smoother and more comfortable, the new swivel boasts enhanced reliability and is easier to service.

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Forus more information call stockist +44 (0)1535 177 Call to find your nearest 01535 631 631177

Shedding light on new retail opportunities The Lifemax team

If you are looking for something a little different, then Lifemax might well be able to supply you with what you need.

The company specialises in developing products that have unique selling points and are now looking to build business with retailers in our marketplace.

Lifemax was founded around 12 years ago by John Sivyer who has over 40 years’ experience in dealing with specialist manufacturers in the Far East. John retired a couple of years ago and handed the baton onto his son Andrew, who is now the Managing Director.

The company was the result of a friendship between John and a colleague based in the Far East who is still a majority shareholder. The first few products were in the care alarm sector and the range has been expanded over the years to cover the daily living aids range. There are now over 250 products on offer.

Will Patey joined the company four years ago after working in the commercial contract design marketplace for nearly 10 years. “Lifemax remains a family company” he told us. “Even since John’s retirement we have continued to work as a close knit team.”

Will explained more about the range. “We tend to market products with a low price point starting for just a few pounds and our most expensive product would be less than £200.00. We manufacture many of the products in our own factory, but use some sub-contracted factories.

Having a Chinese parent company gives us an advantage as we have bases in both China and Hong Kong that complete factory audits and

16 www.thiis.co.uk

manage the whole of that part of the business.”

For a company that has been around for 12 years and has a range of some 250 products, you may not have heard of Lifemax or seen “We tend to market products them featured in trade publications or advertising, with a low price point starting but Will says that things just a few pounds” are changing on that score.

“This year we aim to be a lot more active in the trade” he explained. “We have a strategic marketing plan and we are on the case to build more awareness about who we are, what we do and how we can help retailers develop their own businesses.”

From a business that started at home, the company has had a couple of moves to larger premises as it grew and now employs 14 people in the UK. Will says that high vision reading lights have been one of the number one selling products over the past few years. “Some retailers in this marketplace stock them already but I would imagine that the majority don’t. The benefits

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for the customer of a really good reading light are absolutely huge and a floor lamp retails at around £49.99 and so they aren’t that expensive compared to others on the market. They are a very simple item to introduce to a customer when they are, for example, in a showroom.

We have put a lot of work into getting the right quality of light, including colour temperature, CRI (colour rendering index) and making sure that the flicker rate is right. They have an extremely high flicker rate which means that the user can read for longer without suffering from eye strain.”

According to Will, the range is changing all the time. “It is ever-evolving and we introduce and develop products continually so our range is constantly growing and moving with the times.

We always look for products that are slightly different – something that isn’t already out there and something that has a story to it.”

He added: “We like to think that we know all the marketplaces we work in well and we are always getting feedback from the market leaders in each sector to help us develop the range. A lot of the work we do is bespoke and we also offer ‘own brand’ products too. UK companies can buy directly from China and use us as their agents to help build their own brand offer. We have over a decade’s experience in the import market and so we can use that to help customers if they are looking for that type of service.”

He understands that a retailer’s focus might

18 www.thiis.co.uk

The company has over 250 products in the range. These are some of the bestsellers.

not be on the smaller products, but believes that there are very good reasons why they should take a look. “We realise that in this marketplace, the bulk of the money is made on the large, high value items which we are not in at all. However, we have the products that can bring people into shops and get them onto websites and the products that we can supply may well help retailers to get that introduction which will in turn lead to more sales of higher priced items.”

Asked for other reasons why readers should pick up the phone, he “We are on the case to build says: “We are very easy more awareness about who we to deal with, we have an interesting range of are, what we do and how we can products, great price help retailers develop their own breaks and we have great margin opportunities on businesses” the products. We don’t have a minimum order quantity and we also have a very efficient direct despatch function which gets the products to our client’s customers. For anyone in a new business that doesn’t want to buy a lot of stock, we are worth talking to. We also have the infrastructure and experience to deal with larger volume business who require higher levels of stock and more consultative approach to buying.”

Call 01635 874323. The website is at www.lifemaxuk.co.uk

Larger range as electronics specialists celebrates 25 years LINAK UK has recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary.

The company’s roots in the UK date back to the 1980’s, when their electric linear actuators were sold via a distributor called Drivematic Ltd. Back then the product range was significantly smaller, as were the number of markets that LINAK was selling into. As the product range and the demand for electric linear actuators grew, LINAK founder Bent Jensen made the decision to break away from Drivematic Ltd and create a UK subsidiary.

Managing Director, John Turner told us: “With the 1990’s changes in Health and Safety laws prohibiting the manual lifting of patients by care providers, sales increased through our Health and Care range of products. This grew even further, when we introduced the first 4 channel control boxes for use in hospital beds and started supplying the first hospital bed customer.”

From a 75sqm property and 3 members of staff in 1990 the company has seen significant growth and now occupies a 2,400sqm Birmingham facility with 25 staff, which supports

all UK and Ireland operations with after sales service and includes advanced test equipment and expert engineers.

John added that the company has seen growth in other areas too. “We are currently seeing the demand for ergonomic furniture “We are currently seeing the grow, especially with the demand for ergonomic furniture awareness of sit-stand desks and the current grow” research into the health benefits of increased movement and standing at work. The company supports ‘Get Britain Standing’, helping companies to understand the benefits not only for employees but also how the introduction of sit-stand desks can reduce absenteeism and increase productivity levels.”

The company can be contacted on 0121 544 2211. The website is at www.linak.co.uk

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Ableworld’s annual report shows further growth Ableworld completed its 14th Year of trading with another year of double digit growth and more stores.

The company posted 10% like-for-like growth and the franchise side of the business saw a 13% like-for-like increase. The company reported that profitability was also significantly up on the previous year despite a major investment in staff and premises.

Since March 2014 Ableworld has opened five new stores in Gloucester, Cardiff, Southampton, St Helen’s and Broxburn in Scotland. The first franchise resale also took place with the Newark outlet.

Franchise Director, Paul Boniface, told us: “We are particularly pleased to have completed a successful resale relatively early in our franchise operation because it demonstrates the practice of buy-grow-sell which is important to franchise investors.”

The opening of five new stores took Ableworld’s total number of stores to 24 with half the outlets being company-owned. Currently there are plans afoot to open at least another six this year.

It means that the company’s Annual Franchise Meeting is getting a good deal larger of course.

At this year’s meeting Ableworld Birkenhead was presented with the award for Ableworld Franchise of the Year and relative newcomers, Ableworld Colchester won the Ableworld Emerging Franchise of the Year. Ableworld itself was also a finalist at the prestigious British Franchise Association’s Franchise of the Year 22 www.thiis.co.uk

Ableworld recently added a Lincoln store. The new outlet is the second to be launched by Newark store owner Donna Wilson, who only recently joined the Ableworld team in 2014 as a franchisee.

event and Ableworld’s stairlift division was awarded the title of Elite Partner of the Year by Handicare.

Paul added: “Our “We will ambitiously but Specialist division continues to gain the cautiously keep pushing forward trust and respect of in pursuit of our medium term professionals, evidenced by a 25% rise in goal of floating the Company on business.” the Aim Market with 60-70 stores To cope with the additional business in five years’ time” Ableworld took advantage of an attractive offer to relocate their Head Office next door to their existing premises. MD, Mike Williams told us: “It was clear looking at our medium term expansion plans that sooner or later we would have to move. The offer we had was too good to turn down and gives us enough room to grow for at least the next five years.”

Mike added: “We have several new store openings planned and interesting opportunities are being presented to us on a regular basis.

We will ambitiously but cautiously keep pushing forward in pursuit of our medium term goal of The franchise operation is going floating the Company on the Aim Market with well and resulted in 60-70 stores in five years’ time.” the company being Ableworld’s franchise operation will be nominated for an award recently. exhibiting at Trade Days in October. The website is at www.ableworld.co.uk

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Trade Days registrations healthy as free accommodation goes on offer

Trade Days is all about doing business

According to organisers CloserStill Media, retailer registrations for Trade Days are very healthy with still some five months to go before the doors open for the second ‘trade-only’ show at the NEC on October 18-19.

There are now 105 exhibitors on the showfloor and Show Manager Clare Johnson is sure that retailers will find time spent at the show extremely useful: “We are very confident that retailers will be able to meet the vast majority of their suppliers at Trade Days this year. Along with their most important trade contacts, there will also be a number of companies new to the show looking to develop their retail networks.”

Over the past few weeks the show has seen a range of companies added to the already very strong show-floor. They include - Beauty & Brows, BibblePlus, Bibetta, Brig-Ayd Controls, Easylink, Eazy Beds, Experia, Haze Batteries, Incy Wincy, Mobility Choices, CEDAB, Osprey Healthcare, PDS Hygiene, Spearhead Healthcare, Steroplast Healthcare and Van Os Medical.

For any companies looking to be at the show exhibiting, Clare says that time is running out to make the decision. “We have a good number of companies already in the process of booking and there isn’t that much space left and so we would encourage anyone thinking of being at the show with a stand to get in touch.”

For retailers, there is another incentive to register now too. Free accommodation has already been given away to one person who was in the first 200 to register and there is more free accommodation on offer for anyone who is in the first 500.

Matthew Butler, Show Director, explains why 24 www.thiis.co.uk

there is a focus on accommodation. “Last year a number of retailers told us that they got caught out and ran out of time. They didn’t anticipate having in-depth business meetings on stands and that, along with the seminar programme on offer, meant that they were struggling to see all the exhibitors in one day. With it being a trade-only event, there were the opportunities to discuss prices, margins and deals in detail – “There were the opportunities something you cannot to discuss prices, margins and really do at other shows.

We know that a number of deals in detail – something you retailers are planning to be cannot really do at other shows” at the show on both days this time and so the free accommodation offer will help for the winners.”

He added: “We would encourage visitors to consider accommodation, either to give themselves the opportunity to be at the show for both days or to make an early start to ensure they don’t run out of time.”

If you are considering exhibiting and want to talk about the handful of spaces that are remaining, call Clare 0207 348 5766 or email c.johnson@closerstillmedia.com.

To register for the show, take a look at the full exhibitor list and to have the opportunity of winning free accommodation, visit www.tradedays.co.uk

Let’s Go Out 4 Attractive, stylish design 4 Incredibly lightweight – both in use and when stored away 4 Easy to fold – stands alone and needs very little space when stored

4 Soft, comfortable rubber handles 4 Height adjustable – 77 to 95cm 4 Large front wheels allow for negotiation of day to day obstacles

4 Spring suspension absorbs any uneven surface

4 Simple, manageable lockable brake 4 Removable bag included 4 Two colour options – Beige/Silver and Black/Silver

Let’s Go Rollators Let’s Go Indoor 4 Elegant, modern design 4 Lightweight and easy to use 4 Designed for indoor use only 4 Handle is soft, comfortable and adjustable 4 Height adjustable – 79 to 90cm 4 Folds away easily and stores away taking up little space

4 Easy to operate braking system 4 Supplied with clip on tray and carry bag 4 Two colour options – Beech/Silver and Silver

To view the Trust Care Rollators please scan the adjoining QR Code

www.able2.eu

For any further details please contact us below: Tel: 01254 619000 Fax: 01254 619001 Email: enquiries@able2.eu Head Office: Able2 UK Ltd. Moorgate Street, Blackburn, BB2 4PB

Battery supplier looking for 46% more to clinch sales A couple of months ago, we saw a new advertiser in the magazine. Haze Batteries were in for the first time promoting its latest EX product range. We spoke to Cillian Brugha, Sales & Marketing Manager to find out more about the company and what it was offering retailers.

Cillian gave us the background: “Haze Batteries is a Chinese battery manufacturer that is owned by two English brothers, Nick and David Wood and so we have a westernised management system incorporated into a Chinese manufacturing facility. The company is well established after being in business for some 20 years and is currently re-locating the factory to expand the operation.

The move brings the new facility closer to a better source of labour and natural resources.”

He added: “Haze was brought into the UK by Trevor Horner, who came across the brand some time ago when he was developing Easystart Batteries. Haze already had operations in America and Australia and parts of Europe, but didn’t have a presence in the UK and so Trevor set that up and is now Managing Director of Haze Batteries UK.” According to Cillian, Haze pride themselves on quality production techniques, a wide product range and being one of the original Gel battery manufacturers, utilising Gel technology from Germany. Haze makes batteries for a huge range of applications from Electric Vehicles, UPS systems, Telecom units, Fire and Security products and Solar schemes.

The company is using THIIS to promote a new product that Cillian says has great potential in our marketplace. “We have a battery that has been on the market for about 16 months now.

The EX range was developed after a scooter manufacturer asked the company to develop a product that was a regular box size, but with more power in it, which is what everyone is really look for of course. In China a lot of people use electric vehicles for everyday activities, such as getting to work for example. It was for those vehicles that the batteries were initially developed, but of course the new EX range suits the mobility marketplace perfectly too.”

“The product was in development for five years and went onto the marketplace in China and Australia first. It is becoming very popular both 26 www.thiis.co.uk

in the mobility and golf marketplaces. We had great success with it last year in the UK and so are now rolling it out to the wider marketplace.

The battery gives the user up to 46% more power from the same sized product. For mobility retailers, being able to offer additional power to their customers is a huge sales advantage.”

Cillian says that the battery is performing very well in the field. “We’ve sold quite a number into “For mobility retailers, being both golf and mobility able to offer additional power to marketplaces and the feedback from both their customers is a huge sales retailers and customers advantage” has been great. We’re confident that the product is something retailers can offer out to their customers knowing that they are going to be very happy.”

“We’re lucky to be in the position that we have the Haze factory, making the Haze brand.

The company has a $100 million turnover with operations in a number of counties around the world and so if someone is reading about Haze for the first time they can be sure that they will be dealing with a substantial business with well-developed products.”

“These days Haze UK sells directly to wholesalers across UK and Ireland as well as through sister company Easystart which has a van service spanning 100 mile radius from our base in Corby.

Easystart also caters to a UK wide customers with overnight courier service to those outside of the van runs.”

For more information on the new range of batteries, call 01536 205952. The website is at www.hazebattery.com

H BUSINESS FOR SALE H Opportunity to acquire a thriving North Midlands-based HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS specialists.

IDEAL FOR EXPANSION with vast existing and potential client databases.

1

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TWO COMPANIES Focusing on

SPECIAL CHAIRS & BEDS

An established and thriving UK-wide unique

STAIRLIFTS ENQUIRY GENERATION SYSTEM producing 70-100 leads weekly

Formed in 1997. Combined projected 2015 turnover is £1m - producing 60% gross profit.

For disposal as a whole or will split.

Prime showrooms/premises optional, leased or freehold.

Further details – email: davecrix@mail.com or tel 07966 473712

C

M

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SOFTWARE THAT SAVES YOU MONEY

Point of Sale Barcode Automation Paperless VAT Records Purchasing Management Inventory Management Customer Relationship Tools Online Sales Options

*See “Deal on” for special offer

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CMY

K

top trade deals

DealON!

Shower stools from £9.60 each!

Looking for a deal? Then this is the place to come. Deal On features the best trade deals you will find this month. Just pick up the phone to take advantage...

30 units @ £10.20 each SAVE 42%

All offers are valid until June 30th 2015 unless otherwise stated.

First come first served offer!

Volt FWD Powerchair – Order Product Code 12870BE •

Top speed of 4mph*

•

Length adjustable armrests with PU arm pads

•

Swing in / swing out detachable legrests

*Subject to conditions of use RRP £2995 – Trade £1495 – Offer Price £599 Only 10 available at this price.

Call Drive Medical on 01422 314488 or email info@ drivemedical.co.uk

Ongoing deals throughout 2015 On Sitting Pretty’s Zip speed 48hr delivery dual motor lift & recline chairs: Brinsley, Lambley, Tuxford in sand fabric at just £450! Bridgford fully upholstered adjustable beds...

With deluxe memory foam mattresses in Cocoa or Sand fabric; 3ft single bed £425 / 5ft dual operated double bed £685.

NRS Healthcare’s Best Selling Economy Shower Stool L97718 (usual trade price £17.65 - SSP £32.58) 60 units @ £9.60 each SAVE 46% 1 unit @ £10.95 each SAVE 38% Tel: 0845 121 8111 - Quote TH2.

Offer ends 26th June 2015

Get loads more traffic to your showroom...

How does someone in a wheelchair get weighed?

EASY - they come to YOUR showroom! Advertise the unique ‘wheelchair user scales’ to use, free and 100’s of potential new customers (and every OT in the area) will role in!

SPECIAL PRODUCT LAUNCH OFFER £50 OFF FIRST 50 ORDERS! Castle Comfort Group Tel 01782 611411, email - info@castlecomfortcentre.com

Software for servicing companies – first month free, with free training

Please quote “Deal on” on any orders placed to receive these fantastic trade discounts.

POTS™ is the ultimate equipment, job & workforce management system. Use POTS™ absolutely free for the first month and find out how much more productive your business could be. We’ll provide 4 hours of free hands-on training to help you get the most out of the system. No commitment and no contract – if POTS™ is right for you, continue using it after your first month. If not, you won’t be charged a penny.

Call 01773 811610 to receive fabric samples and our new 48 page 2015 trade brochure

Call us on 01793 680 863 or email info@potsglobal.com to discuss your needs.

SAVE £180!

3 months free!

SEERS Medical offers a FREE PRESSURE REDUCING MATTRESS 150kg with every Signature Care Bed ordered before 31st July.

Signature Care Bed features: • 4 Section Electric Profiling • Compact transport and • 2 Way Electric Tilt storage system • Safe Working Load 250kg

Did you know we offer 3 months mobility scooter and powerchair cover, including new and reconditioned scooters, to all customers completely free of charge! Our mobility scooter cover ensures customers are covered for compensation claims and breakdown recovery with no excess to pay should they need to make a claim.

Call 01728 861590 or email info@seersmedical.com Quote: DealJUNE

Call now on 01476 591104 www.premiercare.info sales@markbatesltd.com

28 www.thiis.co.uk

The Walking Stick Specialists Walking sticks, folding canes, orthopaedic sticks, quad canes and seat sticks

Wheelchair & scooter bags from Able2 UK Ltd – Buy 15 bags and get 15% off trade price • Crutch/Walking Stick Bags • Wheelchair Bags • Scooter Bags

• ‘Mix n match’ bag types

To Order Or For Further Information Please Contact Able2 below and quote DEALON/2 T: 01254 619000 E: enquiries@able2.eu www.able2.eu

Two Free Home Delivery Smartphone Apps (worth £750)* UNIQUS® iRetailer. Stock & barcode management software specially designed for the complexities of mobility retailers.

Affordable subscription. No big initial outlay. Fully integrate your quotation, sales, purchasing and stock process on one platform.

Cloud based and paperless, iRetailer will help you gain efficiency, save money and increase sales time. See our advertisement in this issue or www.assistivepartner.co.uk/iretailer.aspx. *Requires Windows Mobile.

Please contact us for a trade catalogue: Warren House, Hinton St George, Somerset TA17 8TQ Tel +44 (0)1460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk

Order before end July 2015 to qualify.

FREE Point of sale Finance training available to increase sales!

For more information contact the office on 01582 842224 or email t.smith@firstsenior.com

Now THIIS advertisers get even more exposure at no extra cost...

Advertisers in THIIS magazine get the option to take up a free of charge spot every month in the ‘Deal On’ section.

Fancy a spot next month?

Do you service or maintain equipment?

Save time & money with POTS

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Never lose track of equipment or miss a service.

Manage and track your workforce remotely.

Produce branded LOLER, PUWER and other certificates instantly.

Call us to discuss your needs 01793 680 863 info@potsglobal.com TM

www.potsglobal.com

tweet... tweet

Tweet... Tweet... Who’s there?

Here’s another set of ‘tweets’ that we like…

Training in action as Prism promote to professionals Facts and figures are always interesting content – this one is one of our own and about the number of people reading the magazine online

Looking to recruit? Twitter provides you with a simple platform to put the message out

Got new literature, posters or a promotion? Why not tweet it out?

Mangar get topical and use the General Election to get a message across

30 www.thiis.co.uk

There are a lot of ‘days’, ‘weeks’ and ‘months’ for various organisations. It’s easy to piggy back on the message as Bullen Healthcare has done here.

Rollator

savings NRS 2 in 1 Rollator / Transit Chair M58203

NRS 3 Wheel Rollator M79826 Blue M91127 Red

Hurry offers end 26th June 2015 Quote THIIS TH1 before placing your order!

NRS Mobility Care Aluminium Rollator M39634

SAVE up to 24% 16@

24.75 £27.00 £

SAVE 35%

47.80

£

(Was £73.50)

NRS 4 Wheel Rollator M99266 Blue M99278 Red

2@

SAVE 25%

(Was £32.50)

(Was £49.85)

NRS Lightweight 4 Wheeled Rollator

37.25

£

NRS Compact Easy™ Rollator M66739

M87719

SAVE 20%

SAVE 16%

SAVE 13%

£

£

£

(Was £37.37)

(Was £47.50)

(Was £74.50)

29.90

39.90

65.00

FREE to NRS Healthcare trade customers!

NEW Trade Ways & Means Retail Catalogue Available in packs of 20

Tel: 0845 121 8111 Fax: 0845 121 8112 Email: customerservice@nrshealthcare.co.uk Terms & Conditions: Offer prices shown are valid for bona fide mobility traders and are strictly net excluding VAT. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other special terms, promotions or discounts. Normal NRS Healthcare terms and conditions of trading apply. Orders must be received by telephone, fax, e-mail or post before 26 June 2015. Must quote "TH1" at beginning of order. £4.95 + VAT will be charged for delivery to UK mainland for all orders below £100 net. Offer not available when placing order online.

tweet... tweet

Had some coverage in the press? Then an scan of the page will do the trick!

A clever idea from Lynch Healthcare – getting the kids involved.

Remember that you can follow THIIS at @wwwthiiscouk

Ottobock charity partnership Ottobock UK has announced a partnership with Legs4Africa, a charity that sources and delivers prosthetic and mobility components.

The company has donated two crates of prosthetic, orthotic and technical equipment to help the team who fit the limbs in the Gambia.

Alignment tools, measurement tools and event nuts and bolts have all been gifted to hospitals in Gambia to help improve the level of care for amputees.

Managing Director, Phil Yates said: “We are living in a ‘disposable’ age where everything is considered replaceable and very little recycled.

We hope that our no-longer-used equipment and stock will improve the quality of life for those living with a disability in Africa.”

32 www.thiis.co.uk

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Customer’s love the freedom to choose!

Rascal Frontier Waterproof panel Sliding swivel seat Range up to 15 miles Colour Black or Red

Are you providing them with 6mph & 8mph options?

Rascal 850 Liteway 8 Car Transportable Off-board charging station Range up to 23.8 miles Colour Blue or Graphite

Five-position flip-up tiller All round coil suspension Range up to 24 miles Colour Black or Red

Call now & order today

0800 252 614

sales@electricmobility.co.uk electricmobility.co.uk

Taking mobile phones back to basics OwnFone is the brainchild of young inventor Tom Sunderland who developed a simplified, easy to use mobile phone whilst studying at university and launched the world’s first printed mobile and partially printed braille phone in the summer of 2014.

Originally created as an affordable phone to be used for specific occasions and events, such as festivals or travelling, users choose between four, eight or twelve contacts to register onto the phone and decide from words, images or 3D buttons such as braille or texture for the buttons.

However following a Kickstarter campaign to gauge the general market demand, it quickly became apparent that there was also a significant need in the healthcare and independent living sector.

Sarah Watts, Sales Director of OwnFone, said: “Programmed numbers are held in our cloud rather than the phone, so you can’t delete a number or call someone by mistake. The only numbers you can dial are the ones that are registered via the buttons we’ve created so there is very little theft value. To change phone numbers all you need to do is call the OwnFone Customer Service team and they will change them instantly.”

She added: “We find people with dementia remember faces a lot longer than they remember names, so the image buttons are very useful.”

34 www.thiis.co.uk

The company has fully embraced new technology, using a 3D printer in their Islington office to print the custom phone accessories.

Sarah added: “For people who find it difficult to hold certain shapes, we can print a casing making easier to grip.”

To learn more about OwnFone visit www.ownfone.com

An invitation to ‘blossom’ for trade partners

A ‘spring into action’ theme for the now well-established Partner event

Invitations to ‘jump to it’ and ‘blossom with Handicare’ signalled the Handicare’s Partner event this year – designed to encourage trade partners to ‘Spring into Action’.

PU

Y U CA LL O S F LL -U UR O P N R BA EW N N ER !

The team at Handicare are well-known for creating a theme for the annual meeting which this year also gave retailers some seeds for thought for commercial and personal growth too.

Kicking off the full day of presentations, Handicare’s Sales & Marketing Director for Accessibility, Tony Mercer, announced 4% growth in sales revenue and a 59% profit growth over 2013. He said that the introduction of Handicare’s Partner programme had been a great success, with growth from the Trade sector of 8% over 2013. “Given the programme only ran for 10 months, we are delighted to see

how well it has been received by our Elite and Select partners. This growth shows our partner programme is of mutual value to Handicare and our Trade partners and we expect to see double digit growth with the programme this year.”

Bob Parsons, International Sales Director for Moving and Handing confirmed that the company would be re-launching the Rise Porto ceiling track hoist, a new Carina mobile hoist with improved performance and a new MiniLift 160 stand aid.

Mobility’s Product Manager, Lee Basden, outlined what he described as a refreshing and revolutionary approach to the provision

The best-selling solution to help your customers push a manual wheelchair Designed and made in the UK. Often copied but never equalled

0943TGAad.newstripMay15v2.indd 1

36 www.thiis.co.uk

TGA

Awards at the Handicare Partners event for Midshires, Ableworld and TPG

of speciality chin and head controls for powerchairs. Handicare’s unique modular system offers an on the spot assessment kit that enables in situ control selection with the ability to easily change controls as needs change.

Gino Farruggio, UK Sales Director for Accessibility reported a 20% increase in curved lifts supplied to trade partners in 2014 which is, Gino said: “testament to the improvements made to both the single and twin tube systems over the last year.”

Improvements to the Freecurve single rail lift were presented, such as a unique illuminated powered footplate, the ActiveSeat which assists the user to raise and lower from the stairlift and the VoiceConnect, which will allow the user to dial for assistance from the stairlift seat in the event of an emergency.

R & D Director, Malcolm Edwards told delegates that developments and significant

• 3-4mph, range up to 10 miles • robust yet light-in-weight • fits further under wheelchairs

‘Plus’:

NEW 32st capacity!

investment in the welding process for the 2000 curved stairlift system meant this now only requires bolted joints to split the rail into manageable and transportable lengths and new connections between the rails only require one bolt to hold the rail together. New adjustable stanchions and a redesigned power pack with a reduced weight to enable a one man installation make the installation process much easier and quicker and more aesthetically pleasing.

Also, the latest software updates for the sales support tools were demonstrated. The Vision App can be used to illustrate and animate Handicare’s range of stairlifts on the customer’s own staircase while sat in the comfort of their living room, while, uniquely, PhotoSurvey3D can show a configured curved stairlift running up and down the stairs as it will when installed.

The Handicare website is at www.handicare.co.uk

• 2-year warranty • unsurpassed reliability • quick to install, simple to detach

• fits nearly all wheelchairs, even specialist models • 70,000+ sold worldwide

‘Solo’

‘Heavy-duty’

‘Duo’

WH NEW E TRAELABLE BA VEL G The UK’s leading range of mobility products since 1985

sales@tgamobility.co.uk www.tgamobility.co.uk

+44(0)1787 882244 16/04/2015 09:29

www.thiis.co.uk 37

News & views from the commercial team at DLF arrangements (5%), medication management (4%) and getting into bed (4%). These were followed by dealing with low energy or shortness of breath, walking, help in emergencies, entering the home and falls. As a barometer of need the analysis provides a fascinating insight into the areas that people are proactively looking for help to maintain their independence.

We know from separate analysis that typically 40% of the users of AskSARA are family members or carers who are using the service to help them identify the sorts of things which might help their loved one. Most of these people will then go on to enquire about products and services from our industry.

DLF is now working as a division of Shaw Trust and our aim is to develop our advice and information reach deeper into the regions of the UK, through Shaw Trusts extensive network of offices, shops and services as well as key programmes such as the Shaw Education Trust established in 2014 which runs academy schools with its first three in Staffordshire.

The last few months have seen a flurry of activity at DLF around getting a number of Ask SARA licences in place with local authorities ready for the new era under the Care Act. It is an ideal way for them to fulfil their obligations to provide impartial advice and support for residents not just users of community equipment but also self-funders and people with low to moderate needs who want to ‘topup’ to a different brand or design of equipment.

Analysis from one county-wide licensee’s version of the online guided advice tool shows the very wide range of topics that are being investigated from hair care to handling household objects, from sweeping the floors to listening to radio. We looked at a 12-month period of reports generated by users in this region and found that over 70 topics were selected and over 350 individual personal reports were generated.

These reports can be saved and shared with family members or passed on to other support services that the user opts to access.

The top 5 topic areas across the region were using a shower (7%), taking a bath (6%), living

The Real Deal

LOOK AT THESE GREAT DEALS WE ARE OFFERING RETAILERS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF 2015!

Bridgford 3ft fully upholstered single adjustable bed in Cocoa fabric for just £425!

DEAL

1

Lambley, Tuxford or Brinsley dual motor lift recliner on zip speed delivery for just £450 in Sand fabric 48 hour delivery!

DEAL DEAL

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Now available from Sitting Pretty…

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5ft double bed for just £685!

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Memory function handsets on dual motor lift recliners from our County Collection ranges.

Both with our deluxe standard memory foam mattresses.

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Power for the extra mile.

Strident Batteries from Ivanhoe.

Motivated by a history of success in providing high performance battery power to the mobility market, Ivanhoe is proud of the range of Strident batteries that has been tried, tested and proven over years of service in many vital applications.

Our passion for producing a quality, reliable product with outstanding customer service underlies the success which you can rely on every time.

Ivanhoe – where expertise exceeds your expectation.

Please contact our sales team to find out more about the full Ivanhoe mobility range of products.

UK central sales line: Tel: 0845 555 55 11 | Fax: 0845 555 55 22 Email: sales@ivanhoe.uk.com

Ivanhoe Trading Limited Head office address: Global House, Hall Lane, Dereham, NR20 3GG

UK central sales line: Tel: 0845 555 55 11 | Fax: 0845 555 55 22 | sales@ivanhoe.uk.com MOTIVATION THROUGH INNOVATIONTM

Northern office: Southern office:

Tel: +44 (0)1302 365987 | Fax: +44 (0)1302 365988 Tel: +44 (0)1362 300102 | Fax: +44 (0)1362 300103

New focus for kids range Kirton may be best known for its adult seating but the company’s paediatric range has recently been given a new focus, being branded Kirton Kids.

Sales Director, Mark Fowkes, told us: “Having always been incorporated into the main Kirton brochure these paediatric chairs have perhaps been overshadowed in the past, but now they are being given their chance to shine with a separate brochure dedicated to Kirton Kids.

40 www.thiis.co.uk

We’ve chosen funky bright new fabrics which will appeal to our younger customers and we hope to see an increased level of interest in this range as a result.”

For more information, call 0800 212709. The website is at www.kirton-healthcare.co.uk

£2 25 at y1 Bu

Roma Medical

VALE Rise & Recliner Chair RR

P

£2

35

Buy 2 + and receive a free 1630 Wheelchair

1630 : Avant Car Transit Wheelchair

VALE Special Features Single motor operation Two button hand set Smooth quiet operation Available in red only (5905/RED)

June Offer price

£225.00 each

(Offer Code – HCP/V7)

Roma Medical Aids York Road Bridgend Industrial Estate Bridgend CF31 3TB Telephone : 01656 674488 Facsimile : 01656 674499 Email : sales@romamedical.co.uk www.romamedical.co.uk

new to the team Do you have a new team member? Why not let the industry know?

Just send us a short news item and photo.

Clinical seating specialist appointment New MD for Simplyhealth Independent Living Simplyhealth Independent Living has appointed Matthew Main as its new Managing Director. Matthew joins from his role as Store Operations Director at NutriCentre and has worked at Tesco, West Cornwall Pasty Company, Little Chef, Sainsbury’s and Co-Op/Somerfield.

Matthew said: “Independent Living is an evolving market and I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience of the retail industry to help develop this side of the Simplyhealth business.”

Steve Gates, Managing Director of Wellbeing Services added: “Matthew’s background in operations and retail will be a huge asset as we continue to move forward. We have ambitious plans for Independent Living and have already made some key acquisitions in this area. Most recently we bought Care and Mobility in the Midlands expanding our number of stores from six to 13.”

The website is at www.simplyhealth.co.uk

New addition for Benmor Benmor Medical has strengthened its team with the appointment of Alan Bartlett as the new Area Sales Manager for the Midlands region.

Alan has 10 years’ experience in the industry. He can be contacted on 07766 686 906 or alan.bartlett@benmormedical. co.uk 42 www.thiis.co.uk

Consolor has appointed Richard Syphas as a new Clinical Seating Specialist to join the expanding team. He brings with him over 5 years’ experience in seating; with his most recent role involving him concentrating on bespoke moulded seating.

Richard will join the team of clinicians serving a number of NHS seating clinics and private clients throughout the UK. He will be primarily based in the South areas of the UK and will be responsible for assessing clients for their specific posture and mobility requirements.

Kieran Cheer, director of Consolor, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard on board. He brings with him a wealth of experience and enthusiasm in our field and we know he will be a fantastic addition to the team.”

Richard can be contacted through Consolor’s head office on 01202 827 650 or visit the website at www.consolor.co.uk

Expansion for Leckey Leckey has expanded the team with the appointment of Noell Lamprou as Leckey Tech Territory Manager.

The company says that Noell brings great experience to Leckey as a Physiotherapist with seven years clinical practice working with a large variety of patients including paediatrics.

She spent four and a half years working within the NHS, later moving to Singapore where she spent two years practicing physiotherapy in leading hospitals.

Whilst in Singapore Noell also received specialised training in the Intensive Care Unit which she used to train and develop new members of staff.

Noell will be responsible for a range of products ncluding Innowalk and Innowalk Pro

by Made for Movement along with Happy Rehab and Treax Pads by Innovaid.

The Leckey website is at www.leckey.com

SEERSMEDICAL速

Daily Living Range | Specific products for patient support

For more information contact us

new to the team New Area Representative for Mangar Mangar International has strengthened its sales team in the UK with the appointment of Lauren Lilly as Area Manager for the East of England.

Lauren from Northamptonshire has a clinical background originally managing individualised rehabilitation programs within a multidisciplinary team of professionals including OTs, Physiotherapists, and Speech & Language Therapists.

Before joining Mangar Lauren was part of the sales team for assistive technology specialists BES Rehab.

Lauren said, “My clinical background working with vulnerable adults and children means finding the right solution for a client is an important part of the job for me.”

The website is at www.mangar.co.uk

Apprentice scheme at R&R Rise & Recline has recently employed a trainee upholsterer.

Adam Caldow is the first of four apprentices to join the company over the next few months. Managing Director Samantha Langtree says she is keen to build a strong apprentice programme: “As an innovative and forward thinking company, we want to be part of training the next generation of skilled individuals”.

Call 0115 9133572 or visit the website at www.riseandrecline.co.uk

The Charging challenge The team at MK Battery offer advice to help you keep your customers mobile.

Question- How often and for how long should I instruct my customers to charge their batteries?

There is not a simple answer to this question…

Many factors influence necessary charging time such as percentage of discharge, temperature, size and output of the charger, and age and condition of the battery.

The ISO Wheelchair manufacturing Standard discusses battery and charger testing as described in ISO 7176-25. The ANSI-RESNA 7176 version used in North America also includes that 80% of capacity recharge must be achieved within 8 hours. Smaller output chargers in the marketplace often make it necessary to charge for longer than the industry standard.

In general, it takes about 60% of the total charging time to bring a battery from 0% to 90%.

However, the remaining 40% of the charging time is needed to put the last 10% back into the battery. This is very important!

Answer - Think of a battery as a fuel tank.

44 www.thiis.co.uk

More diesel provides for more miles that can be traveled. Similarly, more battery charging yields more distance. We recommend that users not only recharge nightly but that they charge for a long enough period to insure full recharge.

Consistently undercharging a set of batteries can cause sulfation build-up on plates, thereby shortening run-time and reducing battery life.

The Bottom Line - Longer charge time = Longer distance and longest life!

For more information on batteries, call MK Battery on 01536 484009

Typical charging Time vs. 90% and 100% State of Charge State of Charge 0% Example:

90%

100%

31/2 hours

6 hours

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Roadshow re-launches with strong marketing plan The Mobility Roadshow has been an established event on the mobility exhibition calendar for many years. This year it returns to one of its most successful venues – Donington Park – after a 10 year gap.

It is also a re-launch for the show that ‘took a year off’ to re-assess its position in the marketplace. With strong backing from the visitors who had supported the event for many years, the decision was taken to continue.

The show is organised by the charity Mobility Choice in partnership with the NFE Group and they say that there has been a shift in marketing for this years’ event.

Mobility marketing specialist, iDIS is working to support the show and Jon Nock explained how they were looking to maximise visitor numbers. “Marketing is much more social and ‘inbound’ these days. Potential customers increasingly prefer to discover product on their own terms e.g. by searching on the web and not via ‘outbound’ communications as in more traditional direct selling methods. The communication plan is now more focused on web-based content and all online exhibitor news remains in the public domain for the future – ideal for enhanced exhibitor organic rankings.”

Jon added: “The power and reach of social sharing through Twitter and Facebook should not be underestimated as mature and disabled individuals become more and more internet savvy. With 83% of UK consumers regularly online, 31 million on Facebook and 40% of over 40’s using social media, Roadshow marketing is moving with the times.”

Jon says that, alongside greater digital promotion, Mobility Choice is still continuing to target printed media through PR and national press advertising. “Newspaper stories spark interest in potential customers, show visitors and encourage the most powerful form of marketing – word-of-mouth and word-of-keyboard. Coverage regarding the event has already appeared in The Independent, several regional newspapers and across the specialist mobility press.”

According to Jon, there is a focus on greater 46 www.thiis.co.uk

marketing collaboration through supporters and sponsors this year too. High profile charity Age UK is co-hosting a conference at the show and has a highly impressive social media presence so the Roadshow team are engaging with this community.

The Roadshow is primarily a consumer event and as such exhibitors are there to sell to end-users. However, Jon says that the event continues to maintain its policy against companies that are only interested in showing discounted stock in a ‘supermarket’ style “With 83% of UK consumers approach and says that a high pressure selling is not regularly online, 31 million on what the event is about.

Facebook and 40% of over 40’s One fan of the show using social media, Roadshow is Mike Spindle, MD and founder of Trekinetic marketing is moving with the all Terrain. He says: times” “Trekinetic has been happily associated with the Mobility Roadshow since our revolutionary K2 hit the ground rolling, way back in 2006.

Since that amazing weekend, where our fledgling website rocketed from zero to over 13,000 hits, neither ourselves or our customers have looked back. This year our stand will be larger than ever and we regard the show as one of the truly tangible routes to reach new customers.”

The Roadshow takes place on June 25th-27th at Donington Park. The website is at www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk

You can read more about the Mobility Roadshow in a longer article in the newsroom on the THIIS website.

Just use the search facility on the home page and enter ‘Roadshow’.

Coming Soon to Quantum

A new and exciting addition to the Quantum Range...

The Q6 Edge 2.0 Mid-Wheel Drive power chair from Quantum, offers a great range of enhanced features and benefits. With new innovative drive controls and exceptional powered options available.

K U b a eh R on i m t u a t m n for ua n I Q e r @ uk o l w e M o l v l r e o l o F F #i

‘?!’ Tel: 01869 324600 Email: sales@quantumrehab.co.uk Web: www.quantumrehab.co.uk

Fast Track success for Medstrom Representatives of Medstrom recently attended the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 awards dinner, held at Sir Richard Branson’s family home.

Medstrom Healthcare came in at No 22 in the list, an impressive third time in four years.

MD Scott Apsey commented “It was great to see Medstrom’s name up in lights for the third time. It really is some achievement, and each and every member of our team played their part in helping us get there. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a company over the last five years.”

The website for the website is at www.medstrom.co.uk Scott Apsey, Medstrom’s Managing Director and Rachel Apsey, Sales & Marketing Director accepting the award.

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Retail software takes off In the January issue of THIIS magazine, an article gave a retailer’s view having installed UNIQUS iRetailer software from Assistive Partner.

Since working with that retailer to implement the software, Assistive Partner reports that it has now installed the software in over 22 more shops.

Julian Cobbledick told us: “The feedback is exceptional. Phrases like …has helped automate...has cut down administration… has reduced stock…has made supplier orders easy…has given back some time to sell and increase in efficiency are commonplace.”

The company says that enquiries from retailers wanting to modernise are brisk, helped by an advertising campaign in THIIS and a new website. On the website there is a one minute video and a one minute online survey that Julian says will open retailer’s eyes to new opportunities in their own retail operation.

And the company has added more to the offer to as Operations Director Ian Slaughter explained. “Newly introduced as part of the affordable package is a feature to create promotional campaigns by filtering the inbuilt UNIQUS customer database. We love to innovate and we are introducing new features every month at the moment. The more people who use the product, the more bright ideas we get from the. For example, only when our online rental/hire option went live did we get feedback that it should include client’s weight and height.

We had that loaded in a couple of days flat”.

Any retailer that arranges a personal forty

minute online demo before July will become eligible for two free Home Delivery Smartphone Apps, worth £750.

You can visit the new website at www.assistivepartner. co.uk/iRetailer.aspx

There’s a new app, so that retailers can manage their field operations without paper. The company says that a mobile workforce is key to cost saving.

You can read the magazine article about iRetailer by visiting the newsroom section of THIIS and entering ‘small businesses’ in the search facility

Stairlifts 0844 225 3121 | Moving & Handling / Bathing Solutions 0845 271 1107 | Mobility 0845 0745 945 | www.handicare.co.uk 50 www.thiis.co.uk

It’s that

SIMPLE Companion Referral Scheme for Stairlifts and Bathing • Indoor and outdoor, straight and curved • Track options available including the slide track • XXL straight stairlift taking up to 31.5 stones • Easy Payment Plan available • Keeping you updated on lead progress – it’s your client every step of the way.

• Prompt commission payment upon installation

Call today on

0800 019 7797 If you would like more information please contact the Companion Office on 0800 019 7797 or e-mail enquiries@companionstairlifts.co.uk

new on the market Anything new? If you have a new product that you would like to have featured in THIIS and seen by 3000 companies next month, then send details to info@thiis.co.uk. All we need is a short product description and hi-res jpg image

New Wetroom innovation Wetroom specialist, Impey, has solved the problem of installing a wetroom where there is an un-breachable floor by developing an innovative new shower tray called Radiate which is just 40mm high and allows easy shower access.

The Radiate tray can be fitted with any of Impey’s folding and sliding shower door sets and there is a range of compatible ramps for the tray to make it fully accessible.

The Radiate tray is available in seven sizes and is hand finished in robust glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). It can support up to 250kg (40 stone).

Call 01460 256 080 or visit www.impeyshowers.com/radiate

Designed for larger clients The Tungsten Bariatric Bed from Centrobed has been designed for clients with increased weight. The 4 section profiling bed has a weight limit of up to 508 kg (80 Stone).

The bed is available in 198 cm (78 inch) length with either a 121 cm (48 inch), 137cm (54 inch) or a 152 cm (60 inch) width. Additional extras include hoops, wheels, cot sides. side rails and weighing scales.

Call 01233 635353. The website is at www.centrobed.com

SpiderTracTM technology from Sunrise The new Quickie Jive M’s feature V2 of the SpiderTracTMtechnology.

A nickel plated suspension rod with polished contact surfaces delivers a smoother ride and increased longevity. A new Secondary Dampening System (SDS) integrated into the rear castor arm works to buffer all minute highfrequency movements and bumps from the ride, leaving the gas strut to focus on changes in gradient.

More details at www.sunrisemedical.co.uk/jive

52 www.thiis.co.uk

Meet the family!

It’s been nine months since Handicare and You-Q got (back) together and we are delighted to announce some new arrivals to our Handicare family: welcome to Alex, Samm, Luca and XP! With the adoption of the You-Q wheelchairs Handicare offers you a complete range of high quality power chairs, each with their own character and looks. This means that, if you customer needs front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or mid-wheel drive, Handicare has an option to suit!

Like to know more? Call 0845 074 5945 or visit www.handicare.co.uk

new on the market Leckey bringing range to the UK Leckey is bringing Ki Mobility’s Little Wave, Focus, Catalyst 5 and Rogue wheelchairs from the US to the UK market. The company says that the wheelchairs incorporate innovative designs that are not only focused on making mobility easier for the user but also a modern, striking look.

Leckey has also announced that Henry Fraser will be the Ambassador for the Leckey Ki Mobility range. Henry is paralysed from the shoulders down after a diving accident when he was 17 and now tells his inspirational story through public speaking at schools, businesses and sports teams.

For more details on the product range, visit www.leckey.com.

You can read more about the product range and the new Ambassador in the newsroom section of the THIIS website.

Just use the search facility on the homepage and enter ‘Leckey’.

From left to right - Martin Rennie – Mobility Sales Manager, Henry Fraser, James Leckey- CEO and Phil Ahern Territory Manager

Three models for Attitude The new Quickie Attitude has three different models.

The Attitude Manual improves strength, stamina and cardio through recreational cycling. The Attitude Hybrid combining all the health benefits of manual cycling with the reliability of powered propulsion. The Attitude Power provides 100% propulsion for off-road terrain or to cruise the streets in speed. There are over 30 colours to match an existing wheelchair. More details at http://attitude.sunrisemedical.eu/en

54 www.thiis.co.uk

Zippie RS & Salsa now with Triton The JCM Triton modular seating system now available configured with our Sunrise Zippie Salsa M and Zippie RS, providing a fully modular seating system tailored for those with complex seating and postural needs.

The Zippie RS and Salsa also feature the DynamixTMback which can be easily adjusted and set to the range, resistance and correct rebound of the user. More details at www.sunrisemedical.co.uk/rstriton and www.sunrisemedical.co.uk/salsatriton

is

New care bed for children The new Junior Care Bed from Kinderkey is designed to meet the care needs of children from 3 to 12.

The sleeping surface is 700mm x 1700mm and the bed has four-part profiling which is suitable for children. It has a wide electric variable height range from 290mm – 820mm. The side rails and the bed frame are available in seven colours. The drop down side rails conform to the guidelines suggested for children in that the gap between the rails is only 57mm.

Call 01978820714 for more information or visit www.kinderkey.co.uk

THE LUXURY SCOOTER

THAT RIDES LIKE A CAR Introducing the luxurious, Class 3, Freerider FR1 steers and “ridesDrives, like a car, with looks you can take pride in ” ELEGANT HANDLING The height-adjustable, fixed tiller design gives car-like handling, while independent 4-wheel wishbone suspension makes for a smoother ride.

SPORTY LOOKS Take to the road or pavement with rugged good looks, a 35 mile range* and a maximum legal speed of 8mph.

If you’re looking for a mobility scooter that’s earned its right to take its place on the road, look no further than the FR1.

REASSURINGLY SAFE With fixed twin mirrors, LED lighting and indicators and LCD dash, you can see and be seen all the way around.

A pleasure to drive, with looks to take pride in, plus a host of comforting safety features and handy extras you’ll find useful every day, the FR1 is the next-generation scooter for anyone who takes pride in their ride.

HANDY EXTRAS Including an easy access captains seat, double carry bags, and even a USB plug for mobiles or tablets!

www.freeriderfr1.co.uk or call 01535 669604 Email us on sales@freerideruk.co.uk *Varies with user weight, terrain type, battery charge, battery condition and tyre condition.

We reserve the right to change specifications without prior notice.

Freerider UK Ltd, Unit 2C, Acre Park, Dalton Lane, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD21 4JH, UK.

Things we like…

This month we are featuring a very simple idea, targeted very directly at the customer base of retailers in our marketplace.

www.alf-morris-lecture.org.uk

Castle Comfort Centre has always been very proactive and very creative when it comes to getting information and branding in front of customers and potential customers and this is no exception. Styled ‘Your life, your numbers’, the reason we think that this is such a clever promotion is that it is something you very rarely see these days.

It’s easy to fall into the trap and think that everything is done online now and that directories are a thing of the past, but this handy reminder carries details of the phone numbers of places and services that are going to be important to the people who receive it. It is even styled with old fashioned typefaces too. As we said, clever.

Alf Morris Ad 5-15.indd 1

Help shape the future at The Alf Morris Lecture 2016 The annual Alf Morris Lecture, with an audience of legislators, opinion formers, activists and industry representatives, is set to become the leading event in the disability calendar • Central London venue in March 2016, with the Lecture followed by a formal dinner • Corporate sponsorship opportunities • Supports The Alf Morris Fund for Independent Living The Alf Morris Lecture is organised by The Disabled Living Foundation, Reg Charity No 290069 For further information, please phone Janet Seward on 020 7432 8011 or email janet.seward@dlf.org.uk

5/28/2015 4:37:01 PM

• beautifully handcrafted adjustable chairs and beds • bespoke designs • unparalleled retailer support • UK manufactured and delivered within 7 days

Tel: 0115 913 3572

email: info@riseandrecline.co.uk www.riseandrecline.co.uk

Job Search

Four leading brands on one new website

After recent redundancy, a sales professional who is Cheshire based with experience in pressure care, moving & handling, ADL’s and related products is looking for a new position.

Extensive knowledge of the home care and nursing home sectors with nursing training and experience of working in the USA with pressure relief products and in the Middle East. Has worked with both Blue Chip companies and SME’s.

Key skills in - rapid business growth, cost saving, relationship management, customer retention, start-up organisation, creativity and innovation, staff development, problem solving.

Call Susan on 07866470689 or email susang030@aol.com

Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s Industrial division has launched a new website containing the full portfolio of products, services and capabilities offered by its Industrial Group, which comprises its four leading product brands – Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls.

To support the website, a brochure that serves as an overview of the Curtiss-Wright Industrial Group’s applications experience, products, markets and design options has also been published and is available to download from the new site.

The new website can be found at www. cw-industrialgroup. com

vent e n io t a c u d PD e C d n a e d a r t est ts The UK’s larg r Occupational Therapis om just fo ts all in one ro BOO YOU K STA R TOD ND AY

al Therapis n io t a p u c c 3,000+ O

2,400+ delegates were Occupational Therapists and Case Managers including Lead, Head and Band 6 or 7 OTs +50% increase in attendance growth from 2013

25th and 26th Nov 2015 NEC Birmingham theotshow.com

CALL CARMELA RODIA ON 0207 348 5767 OR PANAYIOTA DAMIANOU ON 020 7348 4909, ALTERNATIVELY EMAIL THEOTSHOW@CLOSERSTILLMEDIA.COM

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170Kg (26 1/2 STONE) MAx uSEr wEIgHT SEAr wIdTHS 20”, 22” ANd 24”

S T Y L E I N N O VAT I O N C H O I C E The Flexx is a highly configurable wheelchair that looks great and is built to the durable standard you would expect from a Karma wheelchair. Adjustments can be made the wheelchair set up to provide the optimum comfort and performance for the user, these include:

* The Flexx is now crash tested.

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a Backrest angle a Seat to ground height 15” to 20” a Backrest height a Seat depth a Rear wheel position a Castor angle

A S H T ES

Karma Mobility Ltd Unit 6 Target Park, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8YN T: 0845 630 3436 E: info@karmamobility.co.uk www.karmamobility.co.uk

For further details please call 0845 630 3436

A

HD Version Now Available

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Exhibition & Event Guide June 16-17 2015 NAEP Conference - Chesford Grange Hotel www.naep.org.uk June 24-25 2015 Health+Care, Excel, London Call 020 7348 5261 www.healthpluscare.co.uk June 25-27 2015 The Mobility Roadshow – Donington www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk September 17th 2015 Kidz Scotland, Royal Highland Exhibition Centre, Edinburgh. Call 0161 607 8230/8223 October 14-17 2015 Rehacare – Dusseldorf – www.rehacare.com October 18-19 2015 Trade Days – NEC – www.tradedays.co.uk

New leader for Stairlifts Lee Farrington, Director of Dolphin Lifts Midlands has been confirmed as Chair of the BHTA’s Stairlift and Access Section.

The Stairlift section is one of 16 in the BHTA, including sections such asPressure Care Seating & Positioning, Beds & Support Surfaces, Mobility and Independent Living Products & Services.

Alongside his father Norman, Lee has grown the company to be one of the leading stairlifts suppliers in the Midlands.

Lee said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chair. The BHTA plays a vital role within our industry offering advice and support to retailers, customers, manufacturers and suppliers and I welcome the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to the benefit of other BHTA members.”

Lee can be contacted on 0121 5258925. The website is at www.dolphinmidlands.co.uk.

October 27-29 2015 Medtrade, Atlanta. www.medtrade.com November 19th 2015 Kidz Up North – Manchester www.kidzupnorth.co.uk November 16-19 2015 Medica – Dusseldorf. www.medica.de November 25-26 2015 The OT Show, NEC. www.otshow.co.uk November 25-26 2015 Therapy Expo – NEC. www.therapyexpo.co.uk November 3-4 2015 The Care Show – NEC. www.careshow.co.uk January 25-28 2016 Arab Health, Dubai. www.arabhealthonline.com January 31- February 1 2016 IIC Show – Manchester Central www.iicshow.co.uk February 2-3 2016 Moving & Handling People, Amnesty International’s Human Rights Action Centre, London. www. movingandhandlingpeople.co.uk February 20 – March 2 2016 Medtrade Spring - Las Vegas www.medtrade.com

60 www.thiis.co.uk

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association update

Association Update Barcoding guidance

Credentialling

Businesses who haven’t yet engaged with barcoding their products now need to do so urgently – the Department of Health is pushing forward with its timetable for implementing this on all sales to the NHS. More information, including a guidance document on barcoding for medical equipment (available to members only) is available at www.bhta.net/barcoding.

Our barcoding working group will be meeting again shortly to review our existing guidance and discuss whether any updates are needed.

BHTA has also organised a barcoding seminar on 2 June, at a nominal charge of £10 per person for lunch and refreshments; please email sally.edgington@bhta.com to book your place.

An emerging issue facing many of our members who supply to the public sector is credentialing, and the requirement for an increasingly complicated (and not always robust) set of checks before access is given to hospital premises. Some of the schemes in operation appear to be driven more by commercial considerations than patient safety.

It’s important that business who work in more than one hospital, or more than one Trust, have a clear set of requirements for identifying their staff and demonstrating they are competent to do the job in question. BHTA has attended two meetings with NHS England and other associations to discuss credentialing – we’re and are pushing for a pragmatic solution to this issue, which safeguards patients’ interests and doesn’t tie SMEs up in red tape.

Section meetings supercharged Research and Committee Support Officer Sally Edgington is making BHTA Section meetings an even more useful opportunity for members to network and discuss this issues in their sector.

As well as researching external speakers for the next round of meetings, Sally has arranged tours of the Houses of Parliament for our Hearing Care and First Aid & Medical Equipment (FAME) Sections. The Independent Living Products and Services Section have a fully-booked networking evening taking place the night before their next meeting, giving them additional opportunities to develop relationships and discuss common ground.

Section meetings are a great chance for industry to get together within competition regulations, and to understand the issues facing their particular sector, whether that’s Pressure Care, Augmentative & Alternative Communications or Mobility.

Members should contact sally.edgington@bhta.com to find out more about their Section and how they can participate.

If you’re not yet a BHTA member, talk to Greg Askew on 01933 272437 / 07515 967323 or greg.askew@bhta. comabout how your business could benefit.

SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION FOR TRADE DAYS On top of the 10% BHTA member discount on stand space at Trade Days (18 and 19 October 2015), we have also secured a great member-only rate for accommodation.

Subject to availability, we can offer members £70.00 per night B&B for single rooms and £80.00 per night B&B for twin/double rooms; please contact nigel. woods@bhta.com for booking details.

After a thoroughly enjoyable event last year, we will again be holding an informal Trade Days social night on Sunday 18th October. As well as the opportunity to meet other Trade Days exhibitors/delegates over a hot buffet supper, there will be table football, a giant Scalextric and a pub quiz. More details available soon – we hope you’ll be able to join us!

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The Extra Roomy footwear brand that 0 really gives your business extra oomph! 900 s

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Cosyfeet is the brand for Extra Roomy footwear, socks and hosiery.

Cosyfeet brings more customers to your store - for you to sell more!

Cosyfeet offers a one width fitting which means less complication.

Cosyfeet products encourage repeat business, bringing customers back to your store again and again.

Cosyfeet customers ask for our product by name.

Cosyfeet offers impressive stockist support.

Want to know more? Potential stockists should call John Negus on 01458 449075 or email: johnn@footshopltd.co.uk CF038_V2.indd 1

62 www.thiis.co.uk

www.cosyfeet.com 16/06/2011 09:58

Getting that celebrity endorsement without breaking the bank Getting someone to say that your product is the best thing since sliced bread is a pretty powerful thing.

Getting approval from someone in the public eye can help to drive sales even more. That’s what happened recently for Angus Long at Embryonx and here he explains how it came about…

When we get them, most of us will promote customer endorsements in our marketing material and on our websites. Indeed, favourable customer comments have long been recognised as beneficial to aiding a sale.

Even better, are celebrity or third party endorsements. These however, are a little harder to get and many of the more famous celebrity personalities and media doctors will often command high fees for any product endorsements or brand association.

There is no doubt in my mind though; a celebrity face fronting a brand or recommending a product will enhance its sales and potential.

That’s great, if you have the budget to pay for an A-list soap star or a Dr Profile fronting your brochures. However, given that some of these ‘celebrities’ can command fees anywhere between £10,000 to £100,000 pounds, the reality is, for most of us, that such a high profile endorsement is a mere pipe dream.

Or is it?

OK, if you want a Hollywood superstar or high profile TV personality, you are probably going to have to pay them, but there are still plenty of other credible and well known people who may be able to give your product or service a recommendation without the need to extend the credit limit on your Barclaycard.

A while ago I was keen to get some third party endorsements from credible people for the Happylegs Seated Walking Machine and by networking and the internet was able to identify some celebrity doctors willing to talk about and support the benefits the Happylegs offers.

How to contact? Networking websites, such 64 www.thiis.co.uk

as ‘Linked-In’, can often provide a quick and easy way to making initial contact with many professional people.

Who to contact? Well there are an increasing number of doctors and clinicians who write articles in magazines, newspapers and speak on various radio shows about a wide variety of health issues. People like Dr Sarah Brewer and Doctor ‘Doc’ Anand for example.

Dr Sarah Brewer is a qualified doctor award winning health writer. She has written over 50 popular self-help books, is the Editor of YourWellness magazine and a regular contributor to Prima, the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and other newspapers. Dr Brewer very kindly agreed to a request to review the Happylegs machine for an article in YourWellness and for that to be replicated on our website.

Doc Anand is a retired GP who fronts a radio programme discussing topical healthcare issues.

Following an initial contact, I was invited onto the programme to discuss the Happylegs product in detail along with other health topics. This offered some excellent exposure and in addition to being on-air, all of ‘Doc’ Anand’s programmes are screened on a You-Tube channel. Since the initial programme, the ‘Doc’ has invited me back several times to discuss our other products, including the B-Warm Heated Seat Cover and he even did a ‘special’ in-depth interview with a Happylegs user.

Both Dr Brewer and ‘Doc’ Anand are well respected by their various readers and listeners and any favourable endorsement or mention of products can only be a positive thing.

The cost of receiving these endorsements and media exposure was just a bit of time, a few emails and a couple of phone calls.

Angus can be reached on 08453008823. The company website is at www.embryonyx.co.uk

Two different endorsements, but the same result – more coverage and more credibility.

T h e

P r e s t i g e

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training diary

Doing any training?

If you are providing training for the trade, then simply send us the details of the course, the date, any costs, the venue and the contact for booking places and we’ll include it in the Diary. Email info@thiis.co.uk with any details you have.

JUNE 2015 Global Training by Silvalea – Walking & Standing Harness Solutions - 18th June. Interactive Online Training. FOC R82 UK Ltd - Structured Training in the Management of Medical Devices – Posturally Supportive Equipment for Children. 10th & 11th – Block 1: Mechanical, 17th & 18th – Block 2: Technical, 30th & 1st – Block 3: Clinical.City & Guilds Accredited and endorsed by the College of Occupational Therapists. Halesowen. £185 +VAT per Block

Global Training by Silvalea – Paediatric Sling Solutions - 8th July. Interactive Online Training.

FOC. Global Training by Silvalea – Sizing & How to Measure - 9th July. Interactive Online Training.

FOC. R82 UK Ltd - Structured Training in the Management of Medical Devices – Posturally Supportive Equipment for Children. 8th & 9th – Block 1: Mechanical. 14th & 15th – Block 2: Technical. City & Guilds Accredited and endorsed by the College of Occupational Therapists.

Halesowen. £185 +VAT per Block

Pride Mobility Products Ltd Training - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting. June 17-18 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Pride training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

Global Training by Silvalea – Complex Sling Solutions 1 - 15th July. Interactive Online Training.

FOC.

Global Training by Silvalea – In-situ Sling Solutions - 19th June. Interactive Online Training. FOC.

JCM Seating Solutions Ltd – Postural Management Workshop: Specialist Seating – 23rd July 2015 – Free of charge - Peterborough, JCM Head Office.

Invacare – Impetus training – 23rd – 24th June - £149 + VAT Benmor Medical - Two day Bariatric Study Course - Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th June 2015 Introductory offer £99.00 (excluding VAT) including lunch, refreshments and all supporting literature Benmor Medical Training Centre, Hampshire

JULY 2015 Electric Mobility – Servicing / Maintenance & Fault finding for Rascal Mobility Products – July 1st 2015 - Ilminster. FOC including Lunch.

Global Training by Silvalea – Complex Sling Solutions 2 - 16th July. Interactive Online Training.

FOC

AUGUST 2015 Global Training by Silvalea – Manual Handling Products - 12th Aug. Interactive Online Training.

FOC. Global Training by Silvalea – An Introduction to Slings - 13th Aug. Interactive Online Training. FOC. Global Training by Silvalea – Toileting Sling Solutions - 19th Aug. Interactive Online Training.

FOC. Electric Mobility – Servicing / Maintenance & Fault

finding for Rascal Mobility Products – 19th August 2015 - Ilminster. FOC including Lunch.

Global Training by Silvalea – In-situ Sling Solutions - 20th Aug. Interactive Online Training. FOC.

SEPTEMBER 2015 R82 UK Ltd - Structured Training in the Management of Medical Devices – Posturally Supportive Equipment for Children – September 9th & 10th – Block 1: Mechanical, 15th & 16th – Block 2: Technical, 23rd & 24th – Block 3: Clinical. City & Guilds Accredited and endorsed by the College of Occupational Therapists. Halesowen. £185 +VAT per Block.

Invacare – Alber training – September 9th 2015 – Bridgend - FOC Sunrise Medical Limited - Manual Mobility Selection: Linking Assessment to Appropriate Prescription (CMAN) - Wednesday 9th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Manual Wheelchair Assessment (CMDE) - Thursday 10th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Seating and Positioning for Function and Mobility - for Dealers (CMDE) Tuesday 15th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Sunrise Medical Limited - JAY Product Training for Dealers (PJAY) - Wednesday 16th September 2015 – West Midlands – £100 but receive £470 RRP worth of JAY seating products upon course completion.

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training diary Global Training by Silvalea – Amputee Sling Solutions - 16th September 2015 - Interactive Online Training - FOC. Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustment on Manual Chairs – September 16th 2105 – Bridgend – FOC Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustment on Power Chairs – September 17th 2015 – Bridgend - FOC Global Training by Silvalea – Walking & Standing Harness Solutions - 17th September - Interactive Online Training - FOC. Invacare - Pressure Ulcer Awareness & Mattress Care – September 22nd 2015 – Bridgend – FOC Invacare - Scooter Servicing/Maintenance – September 23rd 2015 – Bridgend - FOC Quantum - Quantum powerchair training programme - Thursday 17th September 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Quantum training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

Global Training by Silvalea – Paediatric Sling Solutions - 23rd September - Interactive Online Training - FOC.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Scooter and Powerchair Service and Maintenance (TPSM1) - Wednesday 23rd September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Pride Mobility Products Ltd Training - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – September 23rd 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Pride training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

Global Training by Silvalea – Sizing & How to Measure - 24th September - Interactive Online Training - FOC. JCM Seating Solutions Ltd - Postural Management Workshop: Specialist Seating - 24th September 2015 - Free of charge - Peterborough, JCM Head Office

CONTACTS FOR BOOKINGS Invacare – Call Joan James on 01656 776283 or email jjames@invacare.com

Pride Mobility – Call Chris on 01869 324600 or email service@pride-mobility.co.uk

Sunrise Medical – Laura Payne on 01384 421 538, email laura.payne@sunmed.co.uk, or visit www.SunriseMedical.co.uk/STEPS

R82 UK Ltd – Call 0121 561 2222, or email Martyn Davis on mda@r82.com

Global Training by Silvalea - +44 (0) 1626 331655 info@silvalea-globaltraining.com or visit www.trainingbysilvalea.com Quantum Rehab – Call Hayley 01869 324600 or email sales@quantumrehab.co.uk

Electric Mobility – Call Sharon Newton on 01460 258118 or email sharon.newton@ electricmobility.co.uk JCM – Contact Rachel Davis on training@ jcmfactory.co.uk

Don’t like cricket?

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To find out how you could enjoy a summer of cricket at Lord’s, contact Greg Askew on 01933 272437 or 07515 967323 or email: greg.askew@bhta.com.

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jobs on offer

NEW SHOWROOM TEAM REQUIRED CareCo (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce the acquisition of a new mobility showroom in Hayes, West London.

We are looking for two key personnel to help open and create a successful new showroom, and build upon the CareCo (UK) Ltd name.

Mobility Showroom Manager - £35k to £40k pa (OTE) The Mobility Showroom Manager, will be responsible for, and be part of, a customer focused team, ensuring delivery of sales targets and KPI's whilst ensuring our exceptional company service standards are maintained.

We are looking for a sales driven individual, ideally with experience in the mobility market, and who has the ability to manage the day to day running of the showroom. This includes managing showroom stocks, layouts, pricing and promotions, ensuring staff have the product knowledge to sell effectively, training, coaching and appraising staff and the ability to obtain, interpret and act upon sales information.

Mobility Showroom Advisor - £25k to £30k pa (OTE) The Mobility Showroom Advisor will support the Mobility Showroom Manager, by promoting, demonstrating, selling and securing orders from existing and prospective customers through a relationship-based, ensuring customers are sold the best products to suit their needs, answering showroom calls, and keeping the showroom to the correct standards, including general housekeeping. Day to day interaction with customers means excellent interpersonal skills are a must, along with the ability to provide excellent customer service.

In house training will be provided for both roles, at our Brentwood head office, as well as support from the Brentwood showroom.

Please email your CV to hr@careco.co.uk, with the job you are applying for in the title.

Check the ‘Jobs On Offer’ section of the website for more opportunities Take a look at the recently added positions Sales Team Member 5 Business Development and Sales opportunities Business Development Manager Commercial & Fundraising Manager Mobility Specialist

Telephone: + 44 (0) 1422 314488 I Web: www.drivemedical.co.uk I Email: info@drivemedical.co.uk

The New Easy Rider from Drive Inspired by the success of the Sport Rider, the design team got to work on a new model that would continue to redefine the typical luxury scooter.

www.drivemedical.co.uk

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THIIS is produced by BHTA Engage: 2-4 Meadow Close, Ise Valley Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, NN8 4BH Tel: 01933 278 086 E-mail: newsroom@thiis.co.uk Providing news and views in

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