Thiis April 2016 web

THIIS Trade Magazine • Issue 211 • April 2016

Issue 211 • April 2016

Providing news and views in the trade since 1999

TRADE MAGAZINE

For everything new

Providing news and views in the trade since 1999

Unlimited potential for Simplyhealth Hundreds of great products for older and disabled people, all under one roof

TRADE DEALS

RETAILER TALKS SAFETY

RETAIL CAMPAIGN WINNER

NEW PRODUCTS LATEST JOBS OVER 50 NEW AND USED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES IN STOCK 12 months warranty 12 months MOT (if applicable) 12 months breakdown assistance Comprehensive quality & safety check

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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.

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…from the editor I attended the ‘Inclusive Technology Awards’ recently. There were 10 finalists with a range of products from software that creates a screen-based tool allowing users to select words, 3D printed, functioning bionic hands and a one-handed wheelchair lap belt.

The ten finalists had been chosen from over 200 initial entries. It’s a reflection on just how fast the marketplace is moving and how much easier it is these days to develop an idea into a detailed concept.

Don’t be shy, why not get in touch...

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

New ‘technology’ isn’t something that the majority of retailers in our marketplace are actively looking to add to their products ranges right now and clearly we won’t be seeing 3D printed bionic hands on the shelves anytime soon. However, there are products out there that are fast becoming ‘market-ready’ and they are the sort of products that are going to get potential customers interested, intrigued and excited.

The message has to be, keep an eye on the emerging technology as it will undoubtedly open up new markets, maybe sooner than you think.

Assistant Editor Calvin Barnett 01933 278086 newsroom@thiis.co.uk

David N Russell Editor

On the front...

A new style of store and a re-brand.

See page 44

Advertising Enquiries You can find THIIS on Twitter at: wwwthiiscouk

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

INSURANCE & FINANCE A helping hand when you need it most.

Call us today 01582 840067 www.thiis.co.uk 3

“Think about your target customers; where do they spend time when they’re not looking for your products?”

50 new jobs to come Page 6

Battery technology adopted Page 14

“When I was talking to customers, it became really clear that they weren’t very excited about the retail environments that they were seeing”

“Retailers are realising that in order to survive, they must diversify”

“The ‘Dragons’ Den effect’ has provided the boost we needed to get to the next stage of growth”

Contributors this month...

Emily Webb Oarsome Potential

Jeanette Warner Better Mobility

4 www.thiis.co.uk

InTHIISissue...

“In only its second year of operation, Mobility Solutions achieved a turnover of over £2 million”

Business winning campaign Page 16

New to the team Page 28

20 year supply success Page 36

Re-brand for stores Page 44

Sales soar Page 50

Retailer picks up award Page 56

25th & 26th September 2016 / NEC Birmingham

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! TRADE DAYS RETURNS TO THE NEC ON 25TH & 26TH SEPTEMBER To allow you to plan your business calendar for 2016, we have opened the registration for Trade Days nice and early! Register online today!

tradedays.co.uk/compthiis Win a brand new Kindle!

The first 100 people to register for Trade Days will be entered into a draw to win a brand new Kindle Paperwhite or Amazon vouchers of equivalent value!

Win a night’s accommodation for Trade Days!

The first 200 people to register will be entered into a draw to win a free night’s accommodation at Trade Days 2016.

To book your space at Trade Days 2016 contact Clare Johnson on +44 (0) 207 348 5766 or email c.johnson@closerstillmedia.com

50 new jobs for Leckey as Ministers visit Irish First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness have visited Leckey as the company announced the creation of 50 new jobs as part of a £3.2million investment to expand its product offering and boost its export sales.

The 50 jobs will be across a range of roles including manufacturing, sales, design, engineering and marketing.

CEO James Leckey, told us: “This investment is an exciting milestone in the strategic growth of our business which will focus on building our core sales and introducing a new range of products.”

Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company £715,366 towards its growth plans

which involves R&D to design and prototype new products and grow its customer base outside Northern Ireland. The support includes a R&D grant of £315,366 part funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.

The website for the company is at www.leckey. com

Unique Active Seat: only available from Handicare This easy to fit, user controlled feature can be used with Elegance and Alliance seats to give the user a little extra help and support when needed.

Call your Business Development Manager to find out more.

Trade Partner Support Team 0844 225 3121 enquiries@handicare.co.uk | www.handicare.co.uk 6 www.thiis.co.uk

INTRODUCING

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$6m scooter launches In the last issue of the magazine we carried the news of a new scooter launch by Israeli company Moving Life. The company describes the product as the ‘most versatile folding mobility scooter ever built’.

The new product is already available in the UK through We Compare Mobility.

The London launch was attended by people from all over the UK and gave participants the opportunity the designers of the new scooter, including the product Chief Designer Izikim Goldman.

The company was founded in 2012 by businessman Nino Ransenberg, an entrepreneur who has built and sold two successful internet companies and is an owner of one of the largest internet ad networks in Europe. Ransenberg has invested $6M in developing the ATTO. The scooter weighs just 25kg and can also travel up to 30km. It dismantles in 10 seconds which, the company says, makes it one of the

8 www.thiis.co.uk

fastest folding scooters on the market. When folded it has the dimensions of a travel trolley suitcase.

As mentioned, We Compare Mobility has secured a distribution agreement for the scooter in the UK and Ireland. Director Kristoffer Thorirsson told us that, when he came across the product he knew that it was a game changer and that it was going to make a huge impact on the market.

We Compare Mobility can be contacted on 01294 315068 or email sales@ wecomparemobility.co.uk. The website is at www.wecomparemobility.co.uk The website for the manufacturer is at www. movinglife.com

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Focus

Business Development No business can afford to turn down something that is free and that could make a difference to the bottom line. Emily Webb talks about five free options that could generate revenue very easily.

5 freebie business tools you may be missing out on Having taken my business from design, to start up and growth, I have always looked out for useful tools to make life in business easier. Google will present you with millions of ‘free’ tools which can be totally overwhelming, so I’ve compiled a list of 5 great business tools that you can put to use immediately. So grab a coffee and read on…

1

MailChimp Ideal for Start-ups and SMEs; using MailChimp you can create vibrate newsletters. You build on their templates; adding your own images and text to engage with your audience. MailChimp sends the newsletter out directly and provides you with a shareable link for social media. Not only that, you also get free analytics so you can see exactly who opens, who clicks through and their location. www.Mailchimp.com (Free for up to 2000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.)

“Think about your target customers; where do they spend time when they’re not looking for your products?”

2

Bullet Journal I first came across the Bullet Journal early January from the lovely Ruth Amos of StairSteady. To create your Bullet Journal all you need is a notebook. Cited as the ‘Analogue system for the digital age’, if you use a diary, a to-do list, work to a strategic plan or a monthly plan – then this is for you! Their video online shows you how to set up your note book as a Bullet Journal to provide you with a monthly and daily to do list that helps you stay in control; remember everything you need to; dismiss tasks that no longer require your attention; and plan to precision, using a simple bullet point system. You can watch the tutorialvideo here: www.Bulletjournal.com

3

Mutual Collaborations With the internet creating increasing opportunities to work nationally and internationally, it is important

10 www.thiis.co.uk

not to forget who your neighbours are. Think about your target customers; where do they spend time when they’re not looking for your products? Could you collaborate with a local café, a social club or local charities to promote your organisation? Initially, this wouldn’t require much – just a friendly introduction, leaflets, posters - and if the opportunity arises to do business – fantastic.

5

4

Skype Skype video calling has been around for years and it is used in the work place more often now; especially when dealing with international partners. But could you build Skype in to your day to day business? Rather than calling a full team meeting or conference call, could you use Skype to engage with your team instead? Could you use Skype as a way to demonstrate products quickly, without the expense of travelling? Sign up for your free account www.skype.com

Google alerts This is a great tool that sends you the most popular content online for your chosen topics straight into your inbox. Sign up is simple, (just type it in to Google) then you choose your relevant topics, (such as healthcare, mobility, scooters etc.) and how often you want these emails. This is a simple way of finding interesting and relevant content that you can include in your social media schedule; providing you with some collaboration opportunities and great market and industry information.

Have I missed something? Let me know what free tools you use, and how you get on with these. Would love to hear from you - @EmilyHWebb

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Pensioners group launches class action lawsuit The National Pensioners Convention, which is being represented by the law firm, Leigh Day, is looking to bring a class action on behalf of people who they believe have paid too much for a Pride brand mobility scooter.

The NPC promotes the welfare and interests of pensioners, organises rallies and lobbies of MPs, leads delegations to parliament and makes submissions to government on policies affecting older people. The Convention also stages an annual three-day Pensioners’ Parliament in Blackpool, which is attended by up to 2000 people.

The NPC says that the main issue in the case will be determining whether consumers were overcharged, and by how much. A news item on Leigh Day’s website suggests that up to 34,000 consumers bought Pride mobility scooters between 2010 and late 2012 and that the total amount being claimed in the case is up to £7.7million including interest.

The NPC believes that this to be the first class

action case in the UK, since the law changed to allow such measures in October 2015.

Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary said: “This is an important case because it lets manufacturers know that they cannot try and rip off older consumers. We believe Pride breached competition law by banning online retailers from selling scooters below the recommended retail price, and it’s right that we should test that in the courts. Someone has to stand up for older consumers, and whilst it might be about mobility scooters today, the ability to take out a class action means that this sort of case may well be used in the future against things like care homes.

It’s an important landmark case.”

Details of the claim can be viewed at www. leighday.co.uk

Facebook launch for Patterson Medical Patterson Medical has launched on Facebook page and the company says it is confident that social media will enhance its future communications to customers and business partners.

Emma Davies-Carolan, Patterson Medical’s Retail Marketing & Communications Manager told us: “The motivation behind our presence on Facebook is to share not only what we are doing as a business but also to engage a much wider audience, benefiting not only us as a business but also our customers. Not only will Facebook allow us to extend our reach within the market but it’s also a novel and exciting way of getting our customers to engage in what we do as a business.”

She added: “Inviting customers to like our posts will offer certain insights into what works well and what isn’t so popular; allowing us to prioritise our marketing activity and enabling us to create relevant posts going forward. In essence, this is about really getting to know our customers. Facebook is after all a two way communication channel unlike more traditional marketing methods, and we’re encouraging customers to feedback on our posts and give their opinion on our business in

12 www.thiis.co.uk

general on a highly visible platform.”

Emma also believes that Facebook will offer the company efficiency compared to more traditional marketing such as direct mail and eshots which can easily become lost in an overpopulated email inbox. “We can produce instant posts at short notice which will land with our customers instantaneously.”

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Retailer adopts battery technology Clearwell Mobility has reached agreement with Haze UK to replace its entire range of sealed lead acid batteries with Haze GEL batteries.

The retailer says that the new GEL batteries have a number of key benefits over sealed lead acid such as greater cycle life (600+ cycles vs 200-300 cycles), greater resilience to deep discharges, elimination of the problem of sulphation when left discharged and a better performance in cold weather conditions.

GEL batteries have normally cost considerably more than equivalent lead acid batteries.

However, under the terms of the new supply agreement, Clearwell says that it has raised its prices by an average of less than 10%.

Duncan Gillett, Managing Director of Clearwell Mobility told us: “Battery performance continues to be a key dissatisfier for customers, particularly

our more adventurous Motability users. As well as benefitting our customers, the new battery range will help us reduce our incidence of call outs and the “Battery performance associated costs.” continues to be a key Clearwell Mobility operates 9 showrooms dissatisfier for customers” across Sussex, Surrey and Kent and has an annual turnover of £3.2m.

The Clearwell Mobility website is at www.clearwellmobility.co.uk The Haze Battery website is at www.hazebattey.com

XX

14 www.thiis.co.uk

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Retailer campaign wins business and plaudits A few months ago, Mobility Solutions won the Best Marketing Campaign award for their Life Made Easier campaign at the British Healthcare Trade Association Awards. We took a look at what made the retailer’s campaign stand out for the judges.

With the goal of increasing awareness of products, the company invested heavily in their ‘Life Made Easier’ campaign, utilising a range of different communication channels, both mainstream and more targeted.

But, of course, big investment does not necessarily mean great results. Having a clear understanding of the market you operate in is essential for success and Mobility Solutions created a clear communications strategy that guided which channels and what messaging they would use to achieve their goals.

The Glasgow-based retailer identified their core target market as disabled people (of any age) and over 65s experiencing reduced mobility, as well as a secondary audience of family, friends and carers. The company focused geographically on West Central Scotland, where their retail outlets were based and communications would be most effective.

By pinpointing who and where their audience were, Mobility Solutions shaped their communications around effectively engaging with them by adapting communications to meet different audiences and widening their media selection to include those, likely to be helping support parents as they get older.

16 www.thiis.co.uk

Taking a somewhat unique approach for a retailer in the industry, the company undertook an ambitious, multi-channel campaign. They used a combination of mainstream channels, including television, radio and press, as well as more targeted and specialised activities such as social media and local events.

In the modern “The website attracted over world of marketing, 40,000 unique users over the there are many who are quick to discount space of 12 months” the effectiveness of traditional marketing techniques in favour of highly targeted, digital activities. Phrases such as ‘print is dead’ and ‘nobody watches television anymore’ are often thrown around and taken as gospel but the Life Made Easier campaigns went against the grain.

Ashley Morrison, Marketing Manager at Mobility Solutions told us: “Assistive products are rarely seen advertised in mainstream broadcast media. Older people, however, are relatively high consumers of free-to-air television.”

The company committed to a series of television adverts with ITV, targeting Scottish

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Television West transmission region and achieving over 3,250,000 impacts. Using radio, Mobility Solutions primarily reached family carers of older people and disabled customers, selecting stations such as Smooth Radio and Clyde 2 and was able to reach over 15% of adults aged 45+ and create over 6,238,950 impacts during each broadcast.

The company also identified press as a channel still widely used among older people, such as newspapers and specialist publications, as well as using direct mail to speak more directly to audiences, with specific messaging to people within a target location.

In addition to employing traditional communication methods, the integrated campaign used a range of digital channels to reach their audience. Eshots of new products and offers were sent directly to customer and new data recipients, with open and click through rates being closely tracked, whilst social media was used to engage with an active community of disabled people and growing number of middle and older aged people on Facebook and Twitter.

The retailer also effectively used its website as a way of not only selling products, but regularly sharing brand news and importantly, news on issues relating to older and/or disabled people.

Generating this kind of digital content is useful for having users connect with the brand online and for improving search engine optimisation – the website attracted over 40,000 unique users over the space of 12 months.

The campaign also carried out specialised, targeted activities, including supporting a variety of relevant events, including local gala days and disability exhibitions.

Ashley explained: “While some products may be sold at such events, the main purpose is to introduce attendees to the Mobility Solutions concept and to encourage visits to the stores, if appropriate.”

With such a large-scale campaign, Mobility Solutions were careful to closely monitor the effectiveness of each channel.

“All activity within the campaign is closely monitored, from reach and targeting of broadcast and print media to individual activity response rates. For example, every publication

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18 www.thiis.co.uk

for older and disabled people,

all under one roof

and direct mail activity carries a dedicated freephone response number” said Ashley.

It all sounds brilliant, but the most important question is did it make money?

In only its second year of operation, Mobility Solutions achieved a turnover OVER 50 NEW AND USED of over £2 million – a WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES IN STOCK substantial return on investment – and also achieved exceptional customer satisfaction, with 0800 916 0025 an average of 95% of customers One of the adverts saying they would recommend the from the campaign retailer to others. Monitoring this satisfaction that proved to be so is extremely important as it ensures that the successful delivery and in-store service matches the promises made in their campaign to customers.

So what can be learnt from the ‘Life Made Easier’ campaign? Having a clear strategy, a concise message and understanding your market are the essential foundations on which any good campaign is built. By having this knowledge, you will know which channels and messages are “In only its second year of right for you, even if operation, Mobility Solutions they go against what is widely believed achieved a turnover of over £2 to be the norm million” and by monitoring performance, you can adapt a campaign to maximise its effectiveness.

The most important point to take away however is that marketing is not simply about making promises to get customers through the door, but about backing these promises up in store where it really counts.

To find out more about Mobility Solutions, visit www.mobilitysolutions.co.uk 12 months warranty 12 months MOT (if applicable) 12 months breakdown assistance Comprehensive quality & safety check

Mobility Solutions Glasgow 75 Hawthorn Street Glasgow, G22 6HY

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New Chinese factory for Stiltz Stiltz Lifts has opened its own factory for the first time and more than quadrupled its manufacturing and warehouse space.

The home lifts specialist has decided to move its operations to a new 4000m2 facility in China with a staff of more than 40 people.

It will be the first time that Stiltz Lifts will operate separate production lines for each of its class of products - Stiltz Duo Lift and Stiltz Trio Wheelchair Lift with a third production line to cater for excess demand of either type of lift.

When Stiltz Lifts moved to its previous factory in 2013 in China, it was 982m2 with no production lines and the company employed six people. But the company has experienced rapid growth and quadrupled its sales.

The new factory is split into three levels with manufacturing on the ground floor, electrical and research and development on the second floor and a cafeteria and recreation area on the top floor.

The decision to open a Stiltz Lifts factory follows the company’s recent move to a new headquarters in the West Midlands and opening of a new sales office in Leeds.

Stiltz Lifts Director of Operations in China, James Gillespie says the opening of its own factory is ‘big step’: “It’s the first time that Stiltz Lifts has moved to its own managed and operated manufacturing facility and we are very proud of reaching that milestone. The new factory will allow us to meet the demands of our trade partners around the world, while the bigger floor area gives our research and development team the space it requires to test and launch new home lift products in the future.”

The website for the company is at www.stiltz. co.uk

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

Visit us at Trade Days: Stand A55

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

20 www.thiis.co.uk

Our new supplier search launches A brand new portal has been created that will give suppliers plenty of exposure if they are looking to promote to either the trade or key professionals.

Find Your Supplier is the new search facility created for ‘Website Partners’ with BHTA Engage. Website Partners have their new product information added to two websites – THIIS and AT Today – both of which are visited each day by hundreds of trade and professional contacts.

The new portal, links for which are highly visible on both THIIS and AT Today websites, enables companies to update profile details and to keep their information fresh and relevant. It’s very easy to use and means companies are in charge of the content being carried on the new search facility.

The cost of becoming a Website Partner and having new products listed on both THIIS and AT Today is just £1 a day.

Full information can be found on the new site at www. productsupplier. co.uk

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New website focusses on Wheelchair Service supply Urathon has launched a new website.

The company is the original pioneer of Polyurethane Flat Free Tyres for wheelchairs and has been supplying NHS wheelchair services and their contracted repairers in the UK for over 20 years.

Ian Batchelor, UK Sales Director who is celebrating 20 years with Urathon told us: “Over the last 5 years we have been developing our ‘one stop shop’ philosophy which is proving extremely successful in helping wheelchair services to reduce their spare parts and accessories expenditure significantly.”

“Over the last few years” Ian added, “what has become increasingly apparent is the pressure that is faced by wheelchair services to reduce their expenditure. We knew that our approach of offering a broad range of products developed with the assistance of wheelchair services and their repairers at very competitive pricing would be a major help and it has been received extremely well.”

Urathon uses its wholly owned factories in Southern China to produce a range that covers

everything from Flat Free wheelchair tyres, elevating leg rests, footboards and stump boards to technical postural management products such as padded belts, foot sandals and harnesses.

“Wheelchair services have liked “Wheelchair the fact that they can place one services like the fact that they can order to one company for a full place one order range of products” for a full range of products, saving on ordering time and administration costs.”

For more information, call Ian on 01249 760581. The website is at www.urathonmobility. com

30 year old gets a make-over

r3 fo r 4 offe

Linden Leisure has re-designed the Elite seatstick with a slim, fresh modern look. The product was launched nearly 30 years ago.

The company is running a promotion for the product for orders placed by April 30th, with an additional seatstick free for every three ordered.

New features include one central handle making it more comfortable to use as a walking stick and a larger badge to reinforce a strong brand image.

According to the company, modern manufacturing processes mean that the new seat is stronger and lighter.

All models are available in green or black, weigh less than 1kg and are guaranteed for a user weight of 125kgs.

For details, call 01242 604545. The website is at www.lindenleisure.com

DEEP CYCLE AGM BATTERIES

The BISON Deep Cycle AGM range provides high performance and reliability in long duration cycling applications. The development combines precision component selection and state-of-the-art manufacturing to produce the most cost effective battery solution for today’s applications.

Exceptionally long lasting, BISON Deep Cycle AGM offers up to eight times the cyclic stability of conventional batteries (up to 800 cycles).

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G R O U P T H E BATT E R Y S P E C IALI S T S

Battery specialist turns 30 Established in Sheffield in 1986, the SYBS Group is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

Managing Director, Ashley Dent, founded the company as a local Sheffield business, to help keep the region’s industries and organisations on the move. Today, SYBS Group now includes distribution centres and stocking facilities in Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool, supplying on a local, national and international basis.

Originally supplying to the automotive trade, over the years SYBS have grown into many different markets with expertise in automotive, commercial, marine, leisure, industrial and mobility products.

SYBS have been supplying batteries into the mobility industry for the last 28 years and now offer a complete range of products to meet all mobility battery requirements.

The company now also stocks the new Bison Deep Cycle AGM battery range. MD Ashley

Dent told us: “These superior Deep Cycle AGM batteries are ideal for rigorous deep cycle requirements, offering supreme durability and increased time between cycles. Their increased cycle life and faster recharge capabilities make the Bison AGM range a reliable option, not only for every-day use but for more specialist needs too.”

The website for the company is at www. sybsgroup.co.uk

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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.

New Area Managers at Benmor Benmor Medical has appointed two new area managers. Graham Summers will be supporting the South West region bringing his expertise and experience to one of the UK’s leading Bariatric equipment specialists.

Tom McNally will be supporting the Midlands region and heading up the new Benmor Medical branch in Market Harborough which will bring both faster delivery times for customers and CPD certified courses in its brand new training centre. Tom can be reached on 07766686906 or email tom.mcnally@benmormedical. co.uk. To contact Graham Summers call 07553347540 or email graham.summers@benmormedical.co.uk.

Sales & Marketing Director for Handicare It was straight in at the deep end for Handicare’s new Sales and Marketing Director Mike Bennett as his first opportunity to meet customers was at the recently held Partner Event, a week before he had even started with the business.

Mike told us: “My background would traditionally be thought of as ‘healthcare’; covering pharma, medical devices and food, which I think has placed me in the interesting position of being experienced in supporting the sales of need driven products through different trade channels whilst also being able to bring a fresh pair of eyes to the table.”

He added: “The business has come a long way in the last couple of years and it is a perfect time to be joining as there are some exciting developments due in the next few months so watch this space!”

The website is at www.handicare. co.uk

26 www.thiis.co.uk

Board appointment at Sidhil Sidhil has announced the appointment of its first ever Director of Service, acknowledging the increasing importance of the company’s service and maintenance department and its significant growth and development over the past five years. Gemma Hartley, previously National Service Manager for Sidhil, has joined the Board.

The company says that, under Gemma’s guidance, the service department has grown year on year, representing some 20% of total turnover by the end of 2015. Gemma’s team totals over 80 people, operating six fully equipped service and decontamination centres nationwide as well as a number of satellite facilities established to guarantee quick response times in defined geographical areas.

The centres provide a range of services to customers, from product decontamination through to managed and ad hoc maintenance and equipment supply. The newest service centre opened in 2015 in Orpington, Kent, to service developing business in the South East.

The website is at www.sidhil.com

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Van Os Medical UK Ltd. Excel House | Ashbrooke Park | Lincoln Way | Sherburn in Elmet | North Yorkshire | LS25 6PJ EXCEL® is a registered trademark of VAN OS MEDICAL B.V. Minifigures are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2016 The LEGO Group. We are not affiliated with the LEGO group, directly or indirectly.

new to the team New International Sales Executive for Electric Mobility Electric Mobility is building on its recent success of growing its International business by almost 500% since 2012 with the appointment of Marga Frau as International Sales Executive with specific responsibility for growing sales in Southern Europe.

A native of Mallorca, Marga joined the company as Export Coordinator two years ago. Fluent in Spanish, French and English, and with a Degree in Translation and Interpreting, she will focus on developing business with its major distributors and dealers in France, Spain and Portugal.

Electric Mobility’s international business growth has seen 100% increase in sales, year on year since 2012, with distributors in over 30 countries in Europe, as well as the Middle East and Australia.

Aina Brunet, International Sales Manager of Electric Mobility said: “I’m really pleased to announce Marga’s appointment in what is a strategic appointment for our company. She has built a great reputation within both the company and its dealers, bringing real energy and commitment to our business.”

The photo shows Marga (left) with Aina. Call 01460 258 100. The website is www.electricmobility.co.uk

Business development appointment at Nexus Nexus DMS has appointed a new Business Development Manager, Mike Halford and the company says that it will be better placed than ever to provide first-class sales and after-sales service.

Mike joins after what the company describes as an excellent year in 2015 which included development of the new ICON Community Care beds, Motif mattress range and Rota-Pro-Bario bariatric chair bed.

Managing Director and Founder John Robinson stated “I’m really pleased to announce Mike’s appointment in what is a key strategic development for our company. He has built a great reputation within the sector and we hope he will bring his invaluable expertise to help in what is an exciting period of growth for Nexus.”

Nexus can be contacted on 01905 774695. Mike can be contacted on 07889 600692. More information on the Nexus product range can be found on their website at www.nexusdms.co.uk

New Sales Team Leader for Enable Access Enable Access has appointed a new Sales Team Leader. Neil Smith joins after what the company describes as an exciting 2015, which saw the development of the new Welcome Patio Platform, Permaramp Superwide, and various improvements to the Aerolight range.

You can reach the Enable Access Team on 020 8275 0375, or sales@ enable-access.com. More information about the Enable Access product ranges can be found at www.enable-access.com

For More Info...

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Orchid Medicare’s lifting shower trolley takes users from the bedroom to the wet room The Lifting Shower Trolley from Orchid Medicare allows frail, elderly and special care patients or residents to be safely transferred from the bedroom to the bathroom or wet room for showering or personal care.

Fold down rails enable careers to easily transfer individuals onto and off the trolley, and a Linak actuating system provides smooth and effortless height adjustment by as much as 400mm to provide the perfect height for a carer to ergonomically provide care. The PVC covered moulded mattress is easily removed for cleaning and drying.

The shower trolley is the only one on the market to be manufactured in the UK, which helps to ensure that it is very competitively priced and has industry leading delivery times of seven to 10 days.

Designed to rigorous hygiene standards, the

product is of stainless steel construction with an antibacterial powder coating.

Sales Director Shaun Caddick said: “There is a substantial demand for shower trolleys – from nursing and care homes through to NHS Trust community stores, hospitals and private users – and particularly strong demand for quality products that can withstand the rigours of daily use.”

The Lifting Shower Trolley is part of an extensive Orchid Medicare range that includes a revolutionary 3 in 1 bath cradle, a four-way profiling bed, high back chairs, and equipment to help users when showering or for personal care.

All products are manufactured in house, making Orchid one of a diminishing number of true UK manufacturers.

For more information contact Orchid Medicare on 01482 820333, www.orchid-medicare.co.uk

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Stand out from the crowd with Handicare Handicare offers you a number of unique, market leading features to help you and your business stand out from the crowd.

Illuminated Footplate

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Whether it is safer hallways with the illuminated footplate, additional support for users with the Active Seat, unobtrusive rails with the revolutionary Slide Track or peace of mind for the user thanks to Voice Connect, we are delighted to offer our Trade Partners innovative and unique solutions.

We offer you the widest range of stairlift features and systems. Call our Trade Partner Support team or your Business Development Manager to find out how Handicare’s comprehensive range of straight and curved stairlifts can help you make everyday life easier for your customers.

round up Excellence award for stairlift retailer The team at Dolphin Lifts Kent recently received the Stannah Stairlifts Certificate of Excellence Award. Led by Neil Elford, the engineers had to complete straight and curved installations under the supervision of a representative from Stannah along with maintenance and servicing on the range of Stannah stairlifts.

The company was taken over by Directors Matt Pettet and Neil Welham eight years ago and is an approved supplier for manufacturers including Stannah, Freelift, Wessex, Pollock, Homeadapt UK, Meditek, Minivator and Bison.

Call 0800 7835501 or visit the website at From left to right, Brian Cook (Stannah), www.dolphinliftskent.

Neil Elford (Dolphin Lifts Kent) and Colin com Adcock (Stannah).

Outstanding achievement award for Sidhil The recent Medilink Yorkshire and Humber Healthcare Business Awards celebrated the achievements of healthcare organisations from across the region for innovation, export, skills and outstanding achievement.

The Outstanding Achievement Award went to the team at Sidhil who are pictured with the award. Winners of the awards are automatically put forward as nominations for the Medilink UK Awards where they will compete with other organisations from across the UK for the national title.

32 www.thiis.co.uk

Head office move for 50 year old business Frontier Medical Group has a new Head Office in Blackwood, South Wales.

The newly refurbished office, for the 240 strong staff, was inaugurated on Frontier’s 50th anniversary. The company has also gone through a rebranding and launched a number of new products in 2015 and is launching its next major new product, Repose Ultracore, in April.

MD Simon Jackson said: “The new Head Office is only the beginning of a number of exciting plans we have this year as we continue to invest in our business and expand both our global business and portfolio of products.”

The newly branded website can be seen at www.frontier-group.co.uk

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20 year milestone for Platinum 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Platinum Stairlifts and the company says that it has some exciting plans to mark the milestone, including new innovations and extra marketing to help retailers promote and sell.

The company announced in January, that a new Managing Director, Mike Diesendorff, had joined. Mike told us: “Plans are well underway to further develop our training programmes, ensuring that our retailers have the knowledge and confidence not only to sell and install Platinum but to remain at the forefront of the industry with first-class service and after-care”.

He added: “Our in-house Customer Care team and our Technical Support service will continue to grow and adapt, to ensure dealers have the back-up they need. Further investment in the Platinum CAD department, both in staff and software, has meant that our drawing

time is now quicker than ever. Meanwhile, the installation of new testing and paint facilities in our Yorkshire headquarters will see those CAD drawings become actual rails faster, more efficiently and with an improved finish.”

And, he adds: “Look out for us in both trade and consumer press publications and don’t be surprised if you catch a Platinum Stairlifts jingle on the radio!”

The website for the company is at www. platinumstairlifts.com

Seen in all the best places!

The BHTA logo has always been something important to look out for if you want to be sure that the company you are dealing with is setting and maintaining the right standards.

Every BHTA member agrees to abide by a Code of Practice, part of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, which is run by The Trading Standards Institute. The BHTA code is the only one in this industry.

Only BHTA member companies can display the two logos together and it means that you can be confident of enjoying high levels of care, courtesy and professionalism.

To find out which companies can offer you that guaranteed level of confidence, go to the website and use the member search facility.

www.bhta.net 34 www.thiis.co.uk

Is your company on yet?

www.productsupplier.co.uk

20 year supply relationship as strong as ever The Supersport (Sportster) production line in the mid 1980’s

TGA’s range includes several models manufactured by the Israeli engineering specialist Afikim Electric Vehicles. The Breeze S3 and S4, Breeze Midi 3&4 and Supersport models are all built at its state-of-the-art factory located in the Afikim Kibbutz.

The Breeze Midi 3 and 4 have won the International Red Dot Design Award and TGA will be launching several new Afikim-built models during 2016-17.

Afikim Electric Vehicles was one of the pioneers of mass-produced mobility scooters.

Established in 1978, the business has grown from very humble beginnings to a highly successful organisation exporting worldwide.

The business was initially set up to give people living in the second largest Kibbutz in Israel more independence. A Kibbutz is a Jewish communal village formed on a co-operative basis whereby each resident works for the benefit of others. The current TGA Supersport (or ‘Sportster’ as it is known in Israel) is based on the original electric trike concept that was developed during the 1970’s and 80’s.

Ori Sahar leads a team of 55 in a 4,500sqm factory and has built a reputation for ‘strikingly different, not cloned’ products.

Afikim became one of TGA’s premier suppliers 20 years ago and has a close and ‘special’ relationship with the business as Dorit Cohen, Afikim Vice President Sales and Marketing

explains: “Our relationship with TGA is the longest Afikim has had with an export distributor.

It has always been based on mutual trust and cooperation that benefits both parties and we consult with each other on many significant steps in terms of product development.”

The previous TGA Managing Director, David Stone, originally forged the special bond between TGA and Afikim. During the 1980’s David was one of the innovators behind electric mobility scooter provision. TGA, or ‘Top Gear Accessories’ as it was originally known, sold car and motor sport tuning accessories to the local East Anglian area and his passion for engineering led to an expansion into electric bicycles.

Through his motor supplier, David became aware of a new type of imported small electric vehicle, a ‘Superlight’. This mini vehicle, manufactured in Israel, was a brand new concept and went on to be TGA’s first scooter model in the UK. David told us: “I flew out to Israel to check out this ‘mysterious’ manufacturer and meet the Afikim Managing Director back then – Yossie Miller. We immediately made a connection and this proved to be the start of a special business

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An early Afikim Supersport (Sportster) being tested for durability

The Afikim Team

relationship. The models then, as they are now, are unique and not clones – this really appealed to me and I placed an initial order. Soon after the first container of Superlights arrived in the UK, they began to leave my premises rapidly. The rest is history.”

Dorit adds: “We are a top-of-the-line manufacturer with a continual focus on product longevity. Our R&D department ensures that our engineering techniques continually evolve – helped by feedback from TGA. We also regularly invite residents of the Kibbutz to trial and test our products and encourage honest opinions. This gives us, TGA and its retailers the confidence to offer 2 and 3 year warranties.”

Over the next 12 months TGA says that it will be introducing new scooters for the Breeze and Supersport brands. Greater user weight capacities, USB charging sockets and restyled body moulding are just a few new features that will be launched during 2016. As the company

says, mobility retailers looking for the next big thing in scooter design should ‘watch this space’.

TGA can be contacted on 0800 107 5349. The website is at www. tgamobility.co.uk The Afikim website is at www.afiscooters. com

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round up Drive and DeVilbiss integrate The European subsidiaries of Drive Medical and DeVilbiss Healthcare are to integrate with the new, combined company being known as Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. The integration is scheduled to occur in the next twelve months.

Drive acquired DeVilbiss last year and outside of North America the two companies have operated independently until now. The companies will also be joining their sales forces and management teams.

The integration will occur first with the export divisions, followed by the companies in the UK, France, Germany and Australia. It is expected that the alliance will be finalised within twelve months.

The North American integration of Drive and DeVilbiss occurred in October 2015.

Fastest 50 for Platinum Platinum Stairlifts has been included in the Yorkshire Fastest 50 list for fast-growing, profitable, privately-owned companies.

Platinum Stairlifts MD, Mike Diesendorff, said, “The Fastest 50 not only celebrates our successful growth over recent years but also reflects the commitment our team has to the company.

Find out more about Platinum Stairlifts at www.platinumstairlifts.com

Acorn pride of Yorkshire Acorn Stairlifts have won an award for the innovative and design of its stairlifts.

The Advanced Manufacturer/ Technology Award was collected by Alvaro Gonzalez, Acorn’s Training Manager, and Harriet Clay from Acorn’s Installations team. The company now automatically progresses to the national final of the Made in the UK awards against the winners from seven other regions.

40 www.thiis.co.uk

Funding for Mexico export effort Companies are being offered funding and expert support to help grow their exports to Mexico through exhibiting at the country’s largest healthcare event.

Medilink UK is working in association with Santander to launch a new UK pavilion at ExpoMED 2016 (8th to 10th June in Mexico City). Santander is offering £2,000 of funding support for eligible companies, and as a result exhibitor packages are priced from just £2,650.

Mexico is the largest medical device importer in Latin America, with healthcare spending scheduled to grow by 8.2% annually until 2018.

For more information, email international@medilink.co.uk or telephone 0114 232 9292.

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Another happy customer, always worth a tweet!

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Images of things you wouldn’t expect to see will get attention

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Remember that you can follow THIIS at @wwwthiiscouk 42 www.thiis.co.uk

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NEW

Unlimited potential after re-brand

Matthew Main, Managing Director of The Unlimited Company with Romana Abdin, Simplyhealth Chief Executive outside the new store.

Simplyhealth has rebranded its retail business Independent Living to become The Unlimited Company and has launched its first new-look store in Bristol.

Matthew Main, Managing Director of The Unlimited Company, told us: “We want to challenge the perceptions of health, age and disability. That’s why we chose a new name that captures our attitude towards what’s possible.”

Matthew added: “We’ve taken the time to listen to our customers who have asked us to provide stores with easy access and facilities that suit their needs and so we have looked for larger stores that have better facilities, such as free parking, which has taken us out of the city centre. Our new store has a very different feel but this store design is where we see our future.”

Matt explained how the company went about designing the new store. “We started by listening to our customers and trying to understand what they wanted from a store.

When I was talking to customers, it became really clear that they weren’t very excited about 44 www.thiis.co.uk

the retail environments that they were seeing.

People go shopping these days in places like the Apple Stores and they find an inviting and vibrant environment. Our customers were telling us that they visited “When I was talking to retail outlets in our marketplace simply customers, it became really clear because they were that they weren’t very excited functional - there were no real positive about the retail environments experiences.” that they were seeing” Making sure the space really worked for the customers was very important. “Our aim was to create a space that is really unique and where customers can feel really good. We wanted to provide sufficient space for customers to try products without falling over stock. We

So, maybe the new styled stores will be the vehicle that grows the awareness in the marketplace that has previously been so hard and so expensive to do. Matt agrees. “It’s about putting the shops where people can see them and building the environments that people want to go into. It’s about having the shops on a major route that people pass everyday on their way to work or on a retail park where people go to do their shopping – it’s about normalising the experience.

It looks like the next year or so is going “It’s about putting the shops to be pretty busy for where people can see them Matt and his team.

“We have plans to and building the environments open a number of that people want to go into” new stores during 2016 and we are looking to invest in growth opportunities across the UK. We will roll back the design into our existing estate after we have talked to customers about the Bristol store to see what works and what they like.”

Existing stores can be found in Andover, Burnham, Droitwich, Kenilworth, Leeds, Northfield, Norwich, Sutton Coldfield, Telford, Willenhall and Wolverhampton.

The Unlimited Company is part of Simplyhealth, supporting nearly 3.5 million customers through cash plans, dental plans, Denplan and pet health plans.

For more information visit shop.simplyhealth. co.uk or call 0800 138 0764.

The company is looking to develop larger stores

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also wanted to create an environment where they could find things out. We recognised that finding things out generally in our marketplace isn’t that easy and so we created a space in the middle of the store where people can come in, grab a coffee, surf the Net on one of the iPads and generally find things out for themselves in their own time.”

Matt believes that there are far more potential customers out there now. “I think there is a much wider group of people out there that we can attract, people who are looking for something to help with very simple tasks. It might be as simple as a jar opener, or one of the ergonomically well-designed items such as the gardening tools.

These are products that can be used by anyone who just wants to be able to keep doing the things they like, but maybe with a little help.”

He added: “It’s about saying this isn’t a mobility store, it’s a lifestyle store.”

On the name, The Unlimited Company, Matt told us: “We really wanted to challenge the perceptions of health, age and disability and the new name helps us to promote to people what the products can help them do.”

Is Matt seeing people come through the doors of the new store who maybe might not have entered the old style store? “Absolutely, the reaction has been amazing. People are telling us that it is something that they haven’t seen before and they wanted to come in to find out more. People are coming in and just exploring the products we have and realising, maybe for the first time, that a lot of them could be useful to someone they know.”

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Focus

A retailer’s view Jeanette Warner of Better Mobility and Chairman of the BHTA Mobility Group Section, reflects on just how easy it is these days to buy a product that many believe should come with more advice.

Great savings, but is it safe?

What a wonderful age we live in, when you can buy an 8mph road worthy scooter while picking up your monthly prescription. When you can browse multiple websites at once, ordering your weekly shop, and a brand new powered wheelchair, both from the comfort of your armchair, both delivered to your front door.

Increased choice and availability The pressure on retailers to offer everything for everyone, all under one roof (or on one website) means that consumers now have more choice than ever before.

Retailers are realising that in order to survive, they must diversify, and with the mobility equipment being a growing market, it is of interest to many who would not have considered it previously.

There is also a huge pressure on mobility retailers to sell all of their wares online, making it easy to compare pricing from a multitude of sellers on the same product. Long gone is the need for customers to seek out their local mobility shop, looking for advice and the ability to try out different equipment to meet their needs. Now, anyone can buy almost anything online, or in a shop they are already visiting for a different purchase.

This of course gives consumers more choice, and more competitive pricing. In order to remain competitive with not only each other, but also with retailers who don’t have the overheads of a showroom, ‘local mobility shops’ are having to reduce profit margins further and further to gain customer interest.

How fantastic!

The government is happy, for certain, as they wish for retailers to create a competitive marketplace.

Consumers not only save money but also have greater choice and availability, due to the increase in retailers and the competition between them. Wonderful - Job done – cheaper scooters and more choice. Everyone wins. Increased danger?

Here’s a bold question though - should consumers be able to purchase mobility vehicles, sight unseen, not tried, suitability not assessed? Think about that for a minute. What if it were being used incorrectly, or unsafely?

These powered vehicles, weighing anywhere from 25kg to 150kg, some capable of carrying up to 200kg, mean a possible combined weight of nearly 364kg potentially travelling through crowded pedestrian areas. Not in the same league as the larger, faster, cars on the road, but also not in the same league as the smaller, slower pedestrians all around them, it would seem that you would want to know how to safely use one before purchasing.

Ah, but people can borrow one from their local scooter scheme, shop mobility, or country park.

Generally, they will provide scooters which are appropriate for the immediate area, but is that where consumers will be using the ones they purchase themselves? Perhaps it is, but perhaps it’s not. The fantastic beast they used at the Forest estate, they may find difficult to safely control around their local parade of shops with school children rushing past.

Safety first – Powered mobility vehicles come with some guidance for safe use within their user manuals, and there’s always the highway code to refer to, with its small section on how the code applies to invalid carriages. All of this is only guidance, and doesn’t address the suitability of the machine for the individual.

The responsibility still lies with the consumer to educate themselves.

Of course, consumers are very savvy, with some visiting their local mobility shops to obtain all of that guidance, and education, spending time trying various machines to find the right one for them, only to use their newfound knowledge to shop for the cheapest price elsewhere, where that knowledge and experience is not on offer.

Great savings...but at what cost?

“Retailers are realising that in order to survive, they must diversify”

48 www.thiis.co.uk

The

Ultralite 480 Voted ‘Best Buy’ in Which? magazine*

4 mph transportable scooter Proven reliability & outstanding design Lightweight manageable components Swivel seat as standard 3 fabulous colours - Black, Red or Teal

Call now & order today for your showroom. *Voted “Best Buy” in the Mobility Scooter Reviews 2014.

0800 252 614

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

Sales soar after Dragons’ Den appearance According to The Blue Badge Company, sales have soared by more than 70% since appearing on Dragons’ Den, with nearly £180,000 worth of sales in the second half of 2015, compared to just under £105,000 for the same period the previous year.

Company director Ellen Green appeared on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den in August last year.

After her ten-minute appearance, the company received two months’ worth of orders in 24 hours.

Ellen walked away from the hit show with no funding after refusing an offer of £70,000 in return for a 35% stake in her company from retail tycoon Touker Suleyman. But within a few weeks she had secured £30,000 investment from peerto-peer loan company, Funding Circle, for no equity.

She recently appeared in a new programme commissioned by BBC Two, Dragons’ Den: From Pitches to Riches.

Ellen told us: “I left the den empty handed but thankfully we have been reaping the benefits ever since. We’re now selling in a lot more major retailers and our direct orders via the website rose by 43% last year. The ‘Dragons’ Den effect’ 50 www.thiis.co.uk

has provided the boost we needed to get to the next stage of growth.”

The products have been stocked by Argos, Halfords, Lloyds Pharmacy and Day Lewis Pharmacy stores, with sales rising to £325,815 in 2015 “The ‘Dragons’ Den effect’ has and looking set to hit provided the boost we needed £500,000 this year.

The workforce has to get to the next stage of grown from one to 16 growth” in the last three years.

The big breakthrough came in 2013 when a Boots buyer spotted its products at an exhibition and placed an order for 10,000 wallets – dwarfing the 8,000 the company had made in its previous two years.

The website is at www.bluebadgecompany. co.uk

A LUXURY SCOOTER FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS LUXURY IN THE COUNTRY Like a luxurious SUV, the

Landranger Deluxe gives you the strength and refinement and

power with comfort. Ready for all

sorts of terrain, it cushions you from the rougher edges.

SMOOTH EVEN ON THE ROUGH With a shock absorption system as

well as suspension You can ride comfortably in luxurious seats, and always stay in control,

Why limit yourself to the tarmac, when the parks, grasslands and countryside are still calling?

Our super-strength Landranger models are built for the great outdoors.

through every dip in the landscape.

COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT The smaller and lighter of our two

Landranger models, the Deluxe is

designed for adventure with a

short 55" frame.

www.freeridernetwork.co.uk or call 01535 669604 Email us on sales@freerideruk.co.uk We reserve the right to change specifrications without prior notice.

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

new on the market

New products from PDS PDS Hygiene has launched a new wheeled bidet/shower chair for use with their Bio Bidet electronic bidet toilet seat. The seat and back support are made from Polygiene-coated polyester mesh to prevent cross contamination and to assist with health and hygiene standards and is supplied with two removable and machine-washable seats.

The company has also launched the Palm TP-200, a portable, handheld, battery-operated bidet unit. It measures only 5.5x14.5cm when closed and weighs 0.25K and the water pressure can be controlled with two settings with a reservoir that can be filled with up to 230ml of water.

The battery is recharged via a USB cable and it comes with a handy carry pouch.

Call 01603 426700 or visit the website at www.pdshygiene.com

Simply red Drive Medical has released a number of new products in a bright and bold red to help make things clearer for people with dementia. Individuals living with dementia can find low contrast areas can be difficult to distinguish and recognize appropriately, leading to anxiety, challenging behaviour and loss of dignity.

The company has released a red toilet seat and Plastic Grab Rails.

Call 01422 314 489 or email sales@ drivemedical.co.uk

Retail Mobility Insurance For flexible commercial insurance tailored and competitivly priced for your buisness.

Call us now

follow: @markbatesltd visit: markbatesltd.com email: sales@markbatesltd.com

52 www.thiis.co.uk

01476 513789

new on the market

New rollator from Drive The new Nitro Mini Rollator has been designed with a lower seat height and handle height to be more suitable to a user who is 5’2” or less. The large 10” front casters and a caster fork provide an excellent turning radius and it includes a removable zippered storage bag as standard.

The handle height easily adjusts with unique push button and the back support height easily adjusts with tool-free thumb screw.

Call 0844 855 4402 or visit the website at www.drivemedical.co.uk

New M Bed Rail The New Comfort M Bed Rail by Drive allows for multiple hand positions to accommodate any user and helps them find the best angle for pulling themselves up. The rail simply slides between the bed base and mattress and is secured in place with the strap for extra stability. It has a quick, tool-free assembly and can just as easily be disassembled for storage and transportation.

Call 01422 314 489 or email sales@drivemedical.co.uk.

54 www.thiis.co.uk

New 4” Gel Cushion Drive has introduced an ultracomfortable, deep, gel-filled pressure reducing cushion. The cover has a waterproof nylon top and a non-slip vinyl bottom and features a handy carry handle for easy transportation.

Call 01422 314 489 or email sales@ drivemedical.co.uk

Quantum Star: Sophie Buckley @lifeonilevel

A Seat lift with a difference...

• 10” of elevation in 24 seconds while at walking speed up to 3.5mph • Advanced functionality and stability strengthens daily independence and quality if life.

• Improves health, social interaction and independence • Operate the seat lift whilst driving the power chair.

#ileveluk Tel: 01869 324600 Email: sales@quantumrehab.co.uk Web: www.quantumrehab.co.uk

QuantumRehabUK

Bedfordshire retailer picks up award Bedfordshire based Comfort Homecare has won a Retailer of the Month Award from TGA. Established in 2007 with seven full time staff members, the company is owned by Steve Mundy. Alongside a mobility showroom, there is also a car showroom, with adapted vehicles.

Steve commented: “Being able to offer 2 and 3-year warranties on TGA scooters is a big plus for us. We know the products are ‘solid’ and won’t let either our customers or us down. Most of our sales come from recommendation or repeat

business so product reliability is so important.”

The photo shows TGA’s Area Sales Manager Martyn Simpson (centre left), with, from left to right: Steve Mundy, Dean King, and Dermot McCarthy.

Exhibition Diary April 11 2016 - (OTAC) Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference Hilton Hotel, Drake Way, Reading. www.otac.org.uk April 26-28 2016 Naidex National – NEC – www.naidex.co.uk May 26-28 2016 – The Mobility Roadshow – Silverstone – www. mobilityroadshow.co.uk June 9 2016 - Kidz to Adultz South www.disabledliving.co.uk/Kidz/South June 22 2016 - RISE 4 Disability - Dartford Football Club - 01268 814810. www.made2aid.co.uk/RISE June 14-15 2016 – NAEP Annual Conference – Kenilworth – www. naep.org.uk June 28-30 2016 – OT Annual Conference – Harrogate – Call 020 8977 7997

56 www.thiis.co.uk

June 29-30 2016 – Health+Care, Excel, London. www. healthpluscare. co.uk July 7 2016 – Kidz to Adultz Wales – Cardiff www.disabledliving.co.uk/ Kidz/Wales 21-22 September 2016 – Moving & Handling People North Newcastle Racecourse - www. movingandhandlingpeople.co.uk/ north September 25-26 2016 – Trade Days – NEC – www.tradedays.co.uk September 28 - October 1 2016 – Rehacare – Dusseldorf – www. rehacare.com October 5-6 2016 – Independent Living Scotland – SECC - www. independentlivingscotland.org October 11-12 2016 – The Care

& Dementia Show – NEC. www. careshow.co.uk November 1-3 2016 – Medtrade, Atlanta. www.medtrade.com November 14-17 2016 – Medica – Dusseldorf. www.medica.de November 17 2016, EventCity, Manchester - Kidz to Adultz Up North -www.disabledliving.co.uk/Kidz/North November 23-24 2016 – The OT Show – NEC – www.otshow.co.uk December 7 2016 - (OTAC) Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference - Hilton Hotel, Newcastle Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne. www.otac.org.uk January 30-February 2 2017 - Arab Health, Dubai. www.arabhealthonline. com

20 YEARS OF HAND-BUILT QUALITY • • • •

UK manufacturer, established in 1996 Curve & Straight lifts to suit all staircases Innovative, adjustable ERGO chair Award-winning reconditioned scheme

• • • •

Space seat for narrow staircases Fastest lead times in the industry for a hand-built, custom-fit, curved rail Outstanding service and aftercare

www.platinumstairlifts.com

Freephone 08000 355 591

The Occupational Therapy Show – The UK’s largest dedicated event for OT’s Join the UK’s leading event created for businesses who want to put themselves in front of this vital audience. Lead for lead no other event is more cost effective than The Occupational Therapy Show.

2015 BY NUMBERS 96%

76%

of delegates said they met suppliers or learnt about products that they had not had the time to learn about previously

of delegates said The Occupational Therapy Show was important or very important to their job and profession

79%

65%

of delegates said they had sole, joint or advisory influence on purchasing authority

of delegates have less than 2 hours or no time at all to see sales reps at their place of work

23rd and 24th Nov 2016 NEC Birmingham theotshow.com

 Over 4,500 OTs expected to attend this November  Unrivalled opportunity to educate a dedicated OT audience about your products and services  One Occupational Therapy Show - your business needs to be there!

90% of our day to day business is with OTs and this is the best show for reaching them. Every person here is a professional that we can deal with. This show is far better for us than others. The delegates are committed to getting information and it’s a good opportunity to talk to them about new products coming along.

We exhibited here last year and it was our best show of the year. We’ve done other shows but the audience is too diluted. Every conversation we have here is relevant. OTs are key influencers and the first step in specifying our products, so being able to talk to them face to face is important for us. We’ve had another brilliant show this year.

Ray Rochester, ASM, Clos-o-Mat

Chris Derrer, Online Marketing Lead, AKW

90% of delegates are likely to recommend The Occupational Therapy Show to colleagues

85% OV

ER

OF SPA CE BOO ALREA DY KED !

TO BOOK YOUR STAND CALL Panayiota on +44 (0)20 7348 4909 or Matthew on +44 (0)20 7348 5266 or email theotshow@closerstillmedia.com

round up Good news as over 65s feel financially secure There was good news for the industry as a new Stannah survey reveals that Britain’s older people are optimistic about their financial security. That’s the conclusion from a nationwide YouGov survey of 1,000 65 and overs. The new report is the latest in Stannah’s Silver Census series and found that nearly two thirds (62%) of respondents said that they believe that they will be financially secure for the duration of retirement.

The website for Stannah is at www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk

First distributor for Ottobock Ottobock has announced Beagle Orthopaedic as its first official distributor in the UK and Ireland.

Based in Blackburn, Beagle Orthopaedic has stocked and supplied bespoke orthotic products for a number of years. The two companies have come together recognising the natural synergy between the two businesses based on their commitment to provide innovative, premium orthotics to the UK market.

50% share move by APEX Medical APEX Medical Corp has announced the acquisition of 50% of the shares of SLK Vertriebs GmbH and SLK Medical GmbH, a leading manufacturer and service provider in pressure care throughout Germany and Europe.

The SLK product range comprises anti-decubitus bedding systems, Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC), bariatric care, decontamination and repair services. In many countries SLK is represented by distributors. The website for Apex is at www.apexmedicalcorp.co.uk.

The website for SLK is at www.slk-gmbh.de

iRetailer

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Web: www.assistivepartner.co.uk / Tel: 0844 335 6791 58 www.thiis.co.uk

Making a cuppa just got a whole lot easier thanks to the new innovative Uccello PowerPour Kettle • Developed to help individuals who suffer with arthritis and any condition that weakens hand grip to maintain independence at home.

• The weighted base of the Kettle arcs on a rotating axis to deliver hot water safely and steadily, every time.

• The Uccello PowerPour Kettle’s removable vessel with safe grip handle allows for optional hand-held pour and water refill.

• The large, hinged lid with wide spout allows easy water-fill, good access for cleaning and steady pour amount.

Telephone: +44(0) 1422 314488 Email: info@drivemedical.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @drivemedicaluk Like us on facebook /DriveMedicalUK

www.drivemedical.co.uk

round up Mountain Trike announce new Experience Centre

www.movingandhandlingpeople.co.uk

With several Experience Centres already located around the UK, the Mountain Trike company has secured a new accredited centre in the South East which has a fleet of Mountain Trike’s available for customers to use.

The Outdoor Academy has a fleet of 5 Mountain Trike’s, 3 original lever propelled Mountain Trikes, an MT Push – a buddy chair and an MT Evo for users who have limited hand function.

More information about the company at www.mountaintrike.com

MHP16_Ad3_North.indd 1

60 www.thiis.co.uk

Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd September 2016 @ Newcastle Racecourse High Gosforth Park Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 5HP The essential learning event for moving and handling people in healthcare comes to Newcastle-upon-Tyne y y y y

hands-on workshops with equipment seminars on best-practice fully CPD-certified co-located with DNEX2016

Speakers include Pat Alexander, Michael Mandelstam and Anita Rush Book now at www.movingandhandlingpeople.co.uk Disabled Living Foundation

Tel 020 7289 6111 Email mhp@dlf.org.uk Web www.dlf.org.uk Reg Charity No 290069 3/23/2016 2:49:32 PM

YOUR PERSONALISED RETAIL CATALOGUE STOCKIST BOX CATALOGUE

NOW AVAILABLE

YOUR UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BRAND YOUR OWN CATALOGUE AND INCREASE YOUR SALES With 54 pages divided into nine categories, the A4 catalogue contains over 850 of our best selling retail products.

Making Life Easier WINTER | SPRING 2016

Address Tel: 0800 000 0000 www.website.co.uk

• Scooters • Stairlifts • Wheelchair • Rise/Recliners

• Electric Beds • Daily Living Aids • On Site Workshop • Servicing & Repairs

A MOBILITY Did you know we also supply: l Scooters l Stairlifts l Vast range of Wheelchairs

A. Mobility Company hairs, Orthopaedic A cliner C djus er Re k Ris s, Mobility Scooters and Electric W table t stoc B h ee CALL We Stairlif lch eds FOR , MO air RE s..

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0800 000 0000 Putting People First in 2015

Over

1000

Please note: the products on the inner pages show the Recommended Price. However our actual prices will be CONSIDERABLY LOWER!

Address Tel: 0800 000 0000

Address

Tel: 0800 000 0000 www.website.co.uk

www.website.co.uk

Please contact your Patterson Medical Sales Representative

Tel: 03444 124 330 Email: retail.sales@pattersonmedical.com www.pattersonmedical.co.uk

Mail Order Catalogue

l Rise & Recline Electric Chairs l Electric beds

www.website.co.uk

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

EXAMPLE 6

A. Mobility We supply:

20XX/XX

More space for your company and product information

EXAMPLE 5

A. Mobility

EXAMPLE 4

A. Mobility

ADD YOUR OWN A5 ORDER FORM INSERT

EXAMPLE 3

EXAMPLE 1

SOME EXAMPLES

Enabling an Independent Lifestyle

EXAMPLE 2

DESIGN YOUR OWN CATALOGUE COVER

YOUR OPTIONS

GO ONE STEP FURTHER WITH AN A4 WRAP AROUND

Address

www.website.co.uk

products in stock - at Internet Prices

Just Call FREE on 0800 000 0000 www.website.co.uk

CR

TES T E SH

MORGAN POWERCHAIR The Morgan powerchair is an excellent product for both indoor and outdoor use. It’s small turning radius allows the users to manoeuvre freely at home whilst the powerful motors are great outdoors. It also offers superior handling over rough terrain due to its all-round independent suspension.

The modern sleek design available several seating configurations and colour options make the Morgan a versatile solution.

a 65cm turning radius a 60cm overall width a Full suspension a Crash tested For further details please call 0845 630 3436 or visit www.karmamobility.co.uk.

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

A

S T Y L E I N N O VAT I O N C H O I C E

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new on the market

New Swivel Cane and Ferrule Classic Canes has launched the Dr Cane swivel cane, a practical orthopaedic walking stick fitted with a high quality swivel ferrule joint to assist mobility and management of the cane. The cane is fitted with a black plastic handle, a black wrist loop and a black rubber ferrule. Black replacement ferrule units are available separately. The cane is easily adjusted in height between 73 and 98cm.

Also new is a tripod ferrule. The three-footed ferrule enables a stick to balance upright on its own and is suitable for people of limited mobility.

For trade prices, call 01460 75686 or email info@classiccanes.co.uk

Loud Alarm shakes the bed!

Designed for people with hearing loss, the new TCL300 digital alarm clock is super loud with a powerful vibrating pillow pad and flashing lights to wake even the deepest sleepers.

Powerful vibrating pillow pads are placed under a pillow an the company says that users will be woken to sounds as loud as a freight train going past the room, a bright flashing light and a vibrating mattress! Should one of the waking methods not appeal, each one can be individually turned off.

Contact Ran Meyrav, amplicomms European Sales Manager at meyrav@audioline.de

64 www.thiis.co.uk

New Rise & Recline option The New Baltimore Rise & Recline Armchair from Drive is the latest edition to the range and features a Dual Motor mechanism, a waterfall back, ergonomically contoured seat and five button hand controller. The Baltimore is available in a traditional Cromwell fabric in Olive and Terracotta.

Call 01422 314 489 or email sales@ drivemedical.co.uk

41

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W

or

Bariatric chair bed

ki

ng

Your go-to specialists for profiling bed solutions of all sizes and specifications • Beds to suit all budgets • Available immediately from stock • Flexible rental agreements

• The lowest bariatric bed • Bed, mattress and accessory combinations that work together

www.nexusdms.co.uk | Telephone: 01905 774 695 | Fax: 01905 796 081 | sales@nexusdms.co.uk

Lo

ad

jobs on offer Product Advisor – London & South East QBITUS PRODUCTS is a long-standing, responsible, highly reputable, UK manufacturer of Pressure Relief Products and seating components. Founded more than thirty years ago the business has built up a formidable reputation for the quality of its products and customer service. The mission statement at Qbitus Products is to assist its customers from every possible perspective wherever it can do so. In these financially challenging times everyone at Qbitus is determined to help its customers achieve their desired budget aims and objectives whilst at the same time always maintaining the highest possible quality of care, service, product reliability and performance.

Team Expansion QbitusnowrequireanexperiencedProduct Advisor(ideallywithexperienceinPressure Care, Specialist Seating, or Wheelchair sectors) to join our expanding team. The role will be home based in the south of theUKtooperateinLondonandtheSouth East. There will be a requirement to travel and as a result there will be a requirement for nights away.

The successful applicant will have the following attributes: • A proven track record selling to Wheelchair Services, NHS, ICES, Mobility Retailers, etc...

• Highly motivated individual with proactive approach to sales • Commercial awareness • Excellent communication and presentation skills • Enthusiasm and drive to succeed • The ability to work both independently and as a part of a team • Ability to travel and work away from home • Strongterritorymanagementskills Main responsibilities will include: • Meetingandexceedingsalestargets

•

Generating new business and promoting the Qbitus brand • Training and advising healthcare professionals on Qbitus Products • Maintainingandbuildingbusiness relationships with existing customers • AttendingUKandInternationaltrade exhibitions In return we offer: Basic wage + commission, expenses, companyvehicle,laptopandmobilephone.

If you fit the above criteria, and would like to apply for this position, please send a covering letter, including details of your current salary/package, and CV to james@qbitus.co.uk

Area Sales Manager Rise and Recline Ltd. is a Nottingham based company, that is one of the few manufacturers who specialises in made to measure adjustable chairs and beds. Due to our demanding market, we have an opportunity for a highly motivated Area Sales Manager to join our expanding sales team.

If you are looking for the next challenge, with good career prospects, Rise and Recline Ltd. is the company for you!

Job Role The Area Sales Manager will be responsible for the Sales growth and strategy within the local authority, Nursing home and Mobility retail markets, by promoting and demonstrating Rise and Recline Ltd.’s products. The position is field based but reporting to a Commercial Sales Manager on a regular basis.

Key Responsibilities • To manage and maintain existing business • To develop new business and grow sales within a set area • Able to communicate at all levels within an organisation • A strong understanding of local authority, equipment loan store and Mobility Retail markets • To train and develop medical professionals (OT’s/PT’s), business owners and end users on Rise and Recline Ltd. products and services • IT literate and able to report monthly on area sales figures

• Actively provide solutions and market strategies within the set area

Mobility & Rehab Products Field Sales/Assessors The Company: Horizon Mobility/Mobility Hire are manufacturers, supplier and hirers of a very wide range of both mobility and rehabilitation products. These products being supplied through/to Medical professionals, Hospitals, Care homes, Insurance companies, the NHS as well as direct to end users on both a purchased and hired basis.

The Position: We are seeking regional sales/product assessors for both the Northern and Southern regions of the UK, with ideal candidates having a background in the supply and assessment of all types of medical devices/mobility equipment with emphasis on high function products. Also a background and contacts list from working closely with medical professionals and the health service would be preferable but not essential, as commitment and a professional manner are key to us.

The positions will be based regionally with competitive salary package and fully expensed company vehicle. So for further information and an informal chat, then please contact Peter Billcliffe either via email at pb@horizonmobility.com or telephone 01684 275626.

To find out more about our company, then visit our websites at www.horizonmobility.com www.mobilityhire.com To Apply: If you believe you would make a valuable addition to our team please send your CV with a covering letter outlining your experience and current salary details to: Peter Billcliffe, Horizon Mobility, Mobility House, Formal Industrial Park, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 8GY. Or email at pb@horizonmobility.com

Right Company Right Time

Key Skills • A minimum of two years sales experience in the mobility sector • A proven track record of sales and developing new business • Strong business acumen and commercial awareness • An effective communicator, verbally and written • A proactive, can do attitude with the eagerness to succeed • Strong customer focus, with good negotiation skills • Able to work independently and on their own initiative • The ability to transfer and set up company products • A full driving Licence Offering a competitive Salary, Bonus, Company Van, phone and iPad. All applications are to be emailed to darren. rose@riseandrecline.co.uk, or posted to, Rise and Recline Ltd., Units 4,5 & 6, Palmer Business Court, Manor House Road, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, NG10 1LR. Any questions please call Darren on 01159 133572.

Repairs and Warehouse Manager APEX Medical have been setting the standard in global healthcare for a number of years and have recently launched in to the UK marketplace.

This is an exciting time to join one of the UK’s leading medical device companies.

We have an excellent opportunity within our operations department for a Repairs and Warehouse Manager.

Reporting directly into the Operations Director the successful applicant will be self-motivated, hardworking and have a flexible and proactive approach to work.

A background in managing teams of engineers is essential.

In return for your hard work and commitment, we are offering a competitive package.

To find out more and to join our team contact careers@apexmedicalcorp.co.uk or call 01322 520 560 More details can also be found in the news section at www.apexmedicalcorp.co.uk The role is based at UK headquarters in Dartford Kent

jobs on offer Area Sales Manager x2 1 x London & South East (with knowledge and experience in specialist rehab and seating) 1 x Midlands (with knowledge and experience in Safe Patient Handling) The key responsibilities of the role are: To develop new business opportunities together with the retention and development of existing customers.

Experience required: The successful candidate will be experienced in dealing with NHS rehabilitation, occupational therapists and sales professionals, working with community equipment services and wheelchair services. Proven ability to build and maintain strong business relationships and work as part of a strong team. Strong customer service skills.

Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

The ability to speak and present publically. Self-motivated to achieve budgets/targets. Strong IT skills. The ability to analyse information. First class attention to detail. Proven organisational skills. Good technical understanding.

The role is field based; as such a full driving licence will be required.

To apply please send a covering letter and an up-to-date CV to the HR department at: Invacare Limited, Pencoed Technology Park, Pencoed, Bridgend, CF35 5AQ or e-mail: recruitmentuk@invacare.com

Mobility and Seating Specialist Better Mobility are recruiting for the position of Mobility and Seating Specialist.

You will be working closely with Adults and children with disabilities, their therapists, and carers to supply innovative customised mobility solutions that improve their lives.

Better Mobility are firmly committed to providing top quality service at all times, and are recognised for our integrity, reliability and expertise.

Based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, covering South East England, with a focus on Central London, we work with private as well as NHS run hospitals and clinics, Therapists and Case Managers, and individual private customers.

Joining a diverse and experienced team, each with their own specialty focus, this is an exciting career opportunity for the right candidate. Ideally you will have a few years experience in assessing for and prescribing manual and powered wheelchairs, however, in our team, it is far more important that you are the right person for the position. Whether you have previous training, or not, our entire team undertakes regular training, from many different sources in order to ensure that we remain experts in our field.

You will report to the General Manager and will be responsible for proactive and thorough handling of sales, and subsequent customer contact with a strong focus on maintaining excellent customer relationships. Excellent communication & interpersonal skills are paramount, with strong empathy for the needs of the end users and their families/carers , you will not just be selling products, but will be thinking “outside of the box” to provide customised solutions to suit the individual.

Flexibility and a great sense of humour are essential to working within in our small, but dedicated team. The reward being a good salary, ability to earn additional commission, late model company van, fuel card, work mobile, team building “fun days”, appreciative, committed, and supportive employers.

To apply: If you believe you would make a valuable addition to our team please send your CV with a Covering Letter outlining your experience and current salary details to: Jeanette Warner, Better Mobility Limited, 12 Henry Wells Square, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 6BJ. Alternatively you can email: j.warner@bettermobility.co.uk

www.invacare.com

Partner Field Representative (South/South West) Competitive Salary + Commission

Company Car, Laptop and Mobile Phone Full Time - Permanent We are currently looking for a Field Representative to join our successful Partners team, covering the South-West Region.

We have been operating our well established Partner Referral Scheme for over 15 years. Our Partners are businesses who generate stairlift referrals for us in return for a commission on sales made.

Product Specialist – South Accora Ltd is a fast growing and progressive organisation based in the South East supplying care equipment across the UK. Continued growth has provided a vacancy for a Product Specialist based in the South of the country. This exciting and varied role involves carrying out home visits, typically with an Occupational Therapist to demonstrate riser recliner and specialist chairs.

The ideal candidate will have a positive and can-do attitude, be proactive and accountable, be a team player and have excellent interpersonal skills.

• Create and maintain relationships with new and existing Partners • Identify potential Partners and introduce them to the Referral Scheme • Identify under-performance from Partners within the region • Assist partners in being proactive in generating leads and promoting Acorn • Work with members of the team in a positive and supportive manner

This role includes a lot of manual handling, driving and occasional overnight stays. A company van, laptop, and phone etc. would be provided.

Full in-house training will be provided. Occasional overnight stays required.

To enquire in confidence, please contact: richard.smith@accora.uk.com

If you are an outgoing, target driven individual, with excellent communication skills, email your CV to:

Previous industry and product experience are not essential.

recruitment@acornstairlifts.com

0800 073 9844

Employing over 1,400 people worldwide, Acorn is the world’s largest independent manufacturer and supplier of straight stairlifts, with sales in over 75 countries and offices on 4 continents.

www.accora.uk.com

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

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.

APRIL 2016 Electric Mobility – Servicing / Maintenance & Fault finding for Rascal Mobility Products – April 6th 2016 - Ilminster. FOC including Lunch.

Pride Mobility - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – April 20/21 2016 - 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.

Invacare Ltd - Invacare Manual Wheelchairs - 20 April 2016 - Pencoed - FOC JCM - Technical Training Workshop – April 21st 2016 – Peterborough – FOC JCM - Car Seat Clinic – April 26th 2016 – Peterborough – FOC

MAY 2016 Invacare Ltd - Scooter Servicing & Maintenance - 10 May 2016 – Pencoed – FOC BHTA - Stoma and Continence Support - May 10 & 11 2016 – Wellingborough - BHTA/H&AT member £449+VAT. Non Member £562+VAT JCM - Car Seat Clinic – May 17 2016 – Peterborough – FOC MediLink - Social Media skills training two day course – May 17-18 2016 – Manchester - £995 for large companies and £495 for sector SMEs. Invacare Ltd - Pressure Ulcer Awareness & Mattress Care - 18 May 2016 – Pencoed FOC JCM - Specialist Seating Workshop – May 19 2016 – Peterborough – FOC Pride Mobility - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – May 18-19 2016 - 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.

70 www.thiis.co.uk

JUNE 2016 Invacare Ltd - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustments on Manual Chairs – June 2nd 2016 – Pencoed - FOC Benmor Medical - Management of the Larger Person (Bariatric Patient) - Wednesday 1st– Thursday 2nd June 2016 - includes lunch, refreshments and all supporting material.

Invacare Ltd - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustments on Power Chairs – June 3rd 2016 – Pencoed - FOC Invacare Ltd - Alber – June 8th 2016 – Pencoed - FOC BHTA - Pressure Care Awareness – June 8th 2016 – Wellingborough - BHTA/ HATS member - £292+VAT - Non Member £360+VAT Electric Mobility – Servicing / Maintenance & Fault finding for Rascal Mobility Products – June 8th 2016 - Ilminster. FOC including Lunch.

Invacare Ltd - Bed Servicing & Maintenance – June 9th 2016 - Pencoed Benmor Medical - Management of the Larger Person (Bariatric Patient) Wednesday 12th – Thursday 13th June 2016 - includes lunch, refreshments and all supporting material.

Medilink - Innovation strategy course - Twoday Innovation and Business strategy course - 14 & 15 June 2016 – Manchester - £995 for large companies and £495 for sector SMEs. JCM - Technical Training Workshop – June 16th 2016 – Peterborough Pride Mobility - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – June 21/22 2016 - 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.

Invacare Ltd – Impetus – June 21-22 2016 – Pencoed - £149.00 + VAT Invacare Ltd - Robin Overhead Hoist – June 28th 2016 - Pencoed

JCM - Car Seat Clinic – June 28th 2016 – Peterborough Invacare Ltd - Pressure Ulcer Awareness & Mattress Care – June 30th 2016 – Pencoed - FOC

CONTACTS FOR BOOKINGS Invacare – Call Joan James on 01656 776283 or email jjames@ invacare.com Global Training by Silvalea - +44 (0) 1626 331655 info@silvaleaglobaltraining.com or visit www. trainingbysilvalea.com Quantum Rehab – Call Debbie on 01869 324600 or email sales@ quantumrehab.co.uk Pride Mobility – Call Dave on 01869 324600 or email service@ pride-mobility.co.uk R82 UK Ltd – Call 0121 561 2222, or email Martyn Davis on mda@r82.com Electric Mobility – Call Tiffany Mockridge on 01460 258100 or email tiffany.mockridge@ electricmobility.co.uk JCM – Contact Rachel Davis on training@jcmfactory.co.uk MediLink – Contact Emma Lister, Medilink Skills Coordinator, on 0114 232 9277 or email e.lister@ medilink.co.uk BHTA - Contact Philip Woodward on philip.woodward@bhta.com or call 0207 702 2141 Benmor Medical – Contact Sophie Allen on 0333 800 9000 or email sophie.allen@benmormedical. co.uk

POWER TRIPS

ATTENTION. TO DETAIL To ensure reliability every TGA mobility scooter receives a 33-point Pre-Delivery Inspection before dispatch.

Saving time, hassle and money for you and your customers.

Does any other scooter supplier do this? TGA does.

01787 882244 SALES@TGAMOBILITY.CO.UK WWW.TGAMOBILITY.CO.UK

Team of the Year 2011 & 2015

1027TGAthiisMar16v1.indd 1

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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

the trade since 1999 BHTA Engage Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors or omissions.