News, deals and people

A round-up of the key trade stories for business leaders to digest

Stairlift manufacturer Handicare has launched a new online service to ensure engineers in the field can access technical support as quickly as possible whenever they need it.

TechTool is a new online troubleshooter exclusively available for engineers working for Handicare’s global partner network.

The handy portal provides answers to questions they may have about Handicare’s straight and curved stairlifts when attending routine servicing appointments or breakdowns at their customers’ homes.

Handicare VP Commercial Clare Brophy said: “We’re focused on delivering memorable experiences, particularly when it comes to customer service and the support we provide for our valued partners.

“Our initiatives to take our technical support to the next level as part of our improved Partner Programme include this innovative new multilingual ‘recruit’.

“TechTool will also provide additional help for our experienced Technical Support and sales teams working closely with partners around the world.”

Accredited and trained engineers working with Handicare stairlifts now have free access 24/7 to the portal, which guides them quickly and easily through the troubleshooter steps from the technical manuals.

“Working alongside our excellent Tech Support team, TechTool will make it easy for engineers to find quick fixes without having to contact one of the engineers on the team directly,” added Clare.

Currently, TechTool is available in English, Italian, French and German and includes solutions for the 1000, 2000 and Freecurve stairlifts, with additional solutions are planned for later this year.

Engineers can register for a TechTool account by visiting: www.handicaretechtool.com now.

HOIST FIRM UP FOR SALE Ardoo Caresafe, creator and supplier of the Ardoo 140 Hoist and Stand Aid Combo, is on the market after its owner announced that he plans to retire. Senan Boland, Managing Director of Ardoo Caresafe, said that the existing manufacturing supply chain can easily be transferred to the new owners, which would ensure continuity of supply. He added: “There is also vast potential to further develop sales of the product range both in the UK and overseas.” MILLBROOK TRIALS ELECTRIC VANS Millbrook Healthcare is piloting a 100 per cent electric van in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint. The firm, which specialises in the provision of community equipment, wheelchair, and assistive technology services to the NHS and local authorities, will begin the pilot of the the van, a Peugeot e-Expert, in Welwyn Garden City Wheelchair Service. It will also go to Somerset Community Equipment Service, Surrey Community Equipment Service and Barnet Community Equipment Service to determine the viability at different service centres.

Mobility manufacturers in the UK are bracing themselves for more delays in stock being delivered from overseas suppliers with the global container shipping crisis set to continue until March 2022.

An outbreak of COVID-19 in Guangdong province in southern China has caused acute congestion at the region’s ports and caused shipments to be delayed, exacerbating tensions within global supply chains.

The knock-on effects could take many months to resolve, according to Scott McCallum, Import Manager for international supply chain specialist Ligentia.

Scott told THIIS: “Shipping costs in the last 12 months have increased by 1,000 per cent.”

“This is clearly unsustainable, and a lot of importers are having to make a decision whether to ship the goods or not and if the goods are going to sell at the increased costs.

“This is a worldwide issue. There is a lack of available containers, space on vessels and port congestion which is increasing turnaround times on vessels, all of which are having an impact on the freight prices.”

Continuing with its expansion plans post-pandemic, West Yorkshire-based Bespoke Stairlifts has announced another key appointment as it enhances its operational services. Witold Wawszczak (pictured left) joined the stairlift manufacturer’s team in May, assuming responsibility for quality assurance. Since graduating with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and design, Witold has gained over 15 years’ experience within the automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, FMCG and energy/power sectors, specialising in engineering quality assurance.

On joining the Bespoke Stairlifts team, Witold said: “I very much look forward to implementing efficient solutions to enhance the quality of Bespoke products, establishing new standards and procedures as part of the strategic planning while promoting a process-led team approach.”

Witold is one of four new recruits to join the stairlift specialist in 2021. He joins Jason Mayor, Head of Sales, Jen Hewitt, Head of Finance, and Peter Osuch, Supply Chain Manager.

Dutch firm Rollz International has launched a new rollator featuring softer tyres that provide optimal cushioning for comfortable walking, as well as more colour choice.

The new Rollz Flex 2 rollator is an updated version of the previous Rollz Flex model introduced in 2016. Its foam-filled tyres absorb the vibrations from the ground and offer better grip and durability.

Richard Zwart, Commercial Director at Rollz, says: “We are delighted to announce the introduction of the Rollz Flex 2, which has been improved to answer the customers’ feedback and requests and to also be in line with the market changes. It is a stable, safe, comfortable, and easily manoeuvrable walker that offers the support that fits your needs.”

The Rollz Flex 2 is available in white, black, green and purple and comes with a spacious shopping bag made in a strong, smokey grey fabric that can better withstand rain and is easier to clean.

MBE FOR DIRECT ACCESS CEO Profoundly deaf Steven Mifsud, founder of disability accessibility firm Direct Access, has been awarded an MBE for services to International Trade in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours list. Established 17 years ago, Direct Access is a disability accessibility consultancy that advises organisations on how to improve access to premises and services for disabled people. The award recognises Steven’s work with the UK’s Department of International Trade to raise awareness of how small businesses and entrepreneurs can access government support to export. NEW VOICEIT APP Speech recognition company Voiceitt has launched a new app, which empowers individuals to navigate their environments and control smart home devices using their own voice commands. The app, which can currently be downloaded for free on Apple Store, is available for individuals or in volume by institutions, nursing facilities and organisations. The company states that the launch of its “life-changing voice recognition technology” has come at a pivotal time, where people have been cut off from vital care support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wheelchair manufacturer Permobil has joined the Motability Scheme in a move that will extend the range of premium power wheelchair options available for people to lease.

Permobil will start by offering three comprehensive power wheelchair models, designed to meet the needs of various conditions, ranging from the valuable M1, to the versatile M3 Corpus to the high-performing M5 Corpus.

All intuitive mid-wheel drives are equipped with the smooth suspension for dependable comfort and stability and compatible with Permobil´s range of seating and positioning aids.

Gordon Cunningham, Permobil Country Manager, UK, commented: “Providing our innovative power wheelchairs on the Motability Scheme allows us to pursue our shared mission with Motability, to provide greater independence for every individual.”

The wheelchair manufacturer also recently introduced an innovative new Voice Assistant feature to its MyPermobil app, enabling wheelchair users to access key wheelchair information verbally while at home or on the go.

Homelifts manufacturer Stiltz has pledged its support to the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), which is urging elderly and disabled people to proceed with home adaptations using its certified trade membership scheme.

After a survey by the Centre for Ageing Better revealed that almost a third of adults in their 50s and 60s are being put off from making vital home improvements because of a luck of trust in tradespeople, the BHTA called for consumers to look out for its logo on companies’ websites and literature when searching for companies that provide and install home adaptations.

Lachlan Faulkner, Stiltz CCO, commented: “We are proud to display our affiliated BHTA logo which illustrates our commitment to ethics and quality service. Our number one focus will always be to enable positive living and ageing in place whilst delivering peace of mind.”

Healthcare technology provider Tunstall Healthcare has announced the acquisition of technology solution provider Secuvita.

The transaction is expected to support Tunstall’s strategic expansion in digital solutions and services and strengthen its position in the Dutch market.

Tunstall now operates in 22 countries globally, working with health, care and housing providers to support more than five million end users.

Secuvita’s portfolio of products and services is complementary to Tunstalls’ as it provides telecare and access control services and technical solutions in the Netherlands and has more than 70,000 users.

Technical textiles maker Airospring Medical has reported that a cushion it developed to help people in wheelchairs is being snapped up by health care professionals to help them treat an increasing number of home workers complaining of back problems.

The cushion was given a new lease of life due to people working from home on kitchen stools and sofas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its 3D spacer fabric technology is designed to be breathable, washable and comfortable and it has strong eco credentials too, being made using recycled plastic drinks bottles.

Available in a range of contrasting colours, the cushions are also used in hospital and care home settings as they can be picked to contrast against furniture to help those with dementia identify where to sit down.

Accessible design specialist Motionspot has launched an innovative new website to support businesses looking to create accessible and inclusive buildings and services.

Motionspot’s website – motionspot.co.uk – features new tools, information and products to support anyone involved in the design of the built environment to create accessible spaces that inspire are more inclusive.

According to Motionspot, accessibility has meant second-rate and clinical-looking design so its aim is to create products and services which comply with building regulations without compromising on aesthetic appeal.

Motionspot’s CEO Ed Warner commented: “To celebrate our ninth anniversary, we are excited to help more people create buildings and products that inspire and include.”

Battery supplier Easystart has been announced as the official supplier of batteries to the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity that supports young people seriously injured through sport.

Easystart, which supplies batteries for mobility scooters and power-chairs, is a long-time supporter of Matt and the charity, and recently made a very generous donation to support its work.

Easystart Managing Director Cillian Brugha commented: “Everyone at Easystart hugely admires Matt as an individual, and the Foundation as a whole, for everything they do.

“They are a great group of people doing amazing work for people who have had terrible accidents and the Foundation provides a fantastic platform for the beneficiaries and their families.”

www.matthampsonfoundation.org/donate

Meet us at NAIDEX 2021 and learn all about our game changing ATTO SPORT mobility scooter - A perfect combination of highcaliber functionality and cutting edge design

More style

Contemporary Design More Visibility

LED Headlight More Suspension

NPT Tires System

More Braking Control

Front Disk Break More Protection

Wireless Locking Key More Luxury

PU Leather Grips and Seat