Handicare Accessibility, based in Kingswinford, is a leading manufacturer of straight and curved stairlifts for UK and worldwide distribution. Its mission is to help make everyday life easier and to increase the independence of people in later life or those with mobility challenges.
Handicare’s safe and reliable stairlifts have helped to make a difference for over 700,000 people worldwide. The manufacturer is very conscious of the role it plays in helping people to live at home for as long as possible.
This has far-reaching benefits for individuals, their families, their carers and the wider health service, where budgets are stretched and there is immense pressure on adaptation funding awards.
Everyone at Handicare – from the sales and customer service teams to the surveyors and engineers - regularly deals with some of the most vulnerable people in society, so customer service has to be first class. In fact, the team goes above and beyond to educate people that home adaptations are like any other home appliance: a route to making life a little easier.
Investment in people is a cornerstone of Handicare’s strategy for the future. With a worldwide ageing population, the accessibility marketplace is growing and, like many other businesses, Handicare faces increasing competition for the available talent.
By focusing on its sector’s social impact, Handicare will attract those people who are seeking employers who make the world a better place: from the manufacturing end of the supply chain right through to the people selling, installing and maintaining the life-changing equipment they produce.
Its commitment to manufacturing excellence is another factor keeping Handicare at the top of its game. Significant investment has been made in industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies including robot welders for smoother stairlift rail joints and complex three-dimensional helix bends. Production improvements have led to increased output and reduced lead times – both important factors when considering how quickly most customers need a stairlift installed once the decision to have one is made.
Handicare thinks it is equally important to invest time and effort into training and educating apprentices.
“As with most engineering and manufacturing companies, there is a skills gap where the majority of our demographic is well into their working careers. We are actively encouraging more younger people into what is a rewarding and valuable career that makes a significant contribution to society. Apprenticeships form part of this strategy,” explains Richard Whitehouse, Operations Director – UK.
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