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LIFTING INVESTMENT TO HELP CARERS

Changes in Government policy over caring for the elderly and less able has enabled one company to lift to a new level of service, aided by award-winning design.

Molift UK supplies innovative hoists and lifts to enable carers to move their charges without physically straining. Its latest development, the portable Smart unit, has won an award for design excellence*, contributing towards the company’s decision to expand nationally from its Greater Manchester base. As a result, Molift has moved from Stockport to new premises at the Willan Woodrow Business Centre in Irlam, giving the operation easy access to national travel links, and better facilities- including a bespoke showroom to enable potential customers to determine which is the most appropriate hoist or lifter for their needs.

Molift operations director Geoff Bulgin, elaborates, “As a nation, we are getting older and heavier. Statistics predict that by 2020, over half the UK population will be over 50, and facing problems of ageing- reduced mobility, dexterity. Statistics also predict that if no action is taken, by 2050, 60% of men and 50% of women and 25% of children will be obese. We are all aware of Government pressure for people to remain in their own homes as long as possible, rather than go into care homes. Alongside that, more stringent Health & Safety regulations are encouraging establishments- care homes, hospitals etc- to invest in specialist lifting equipment rather than put strain on their staff asking them to lift and move people. And the government has just launched a new pilot initiative, Community Equipment Stores, where if someone needs specialist equipment they are given a ‘prescription’ to go and select it at the CES, rather like going to a pharmacy.

“This all means there is a growing need for hoists and lifting equipment, but specifiers, Occupational Therapists, carers and their charges, need the ability to choose the right equipment for the job: everybody’s requirements are different, even if they have the same debilitation. Our new showroom gives them the opportunity to see, and if necessary, try out the equipment, to make the right choice.”

Molift has fully equipped the showroom to meet client needs, but taken further steps. Both ground and first floors of its new 5000 sq ft premises feature disabled toilets, and landlord Willan has installed a lift to enable easy transfer for all visitors from the entrance to the first floor showroom. The office and ‘public’ space has level thresholds throughout and extra wide doors to facilitate wheelchair access.

Geoff Bulgin adds, “To achieve our target market penetration, we have had to relocate, to achieve the office and storage space to enable prompt processing and delivery of orders, and room to properly display the products. Willan’s Woodrow Business Centre with its hybrid office/warehouse in one unit was the ideal solution: you just can’t find business space like this. Our other option would have been to rent a warehouse unit and invest significant time and vast sums of money putting in a mezzanine for offices and presentation facilities. Willan has even installed the lift for us to make it even more suitable for our needs!”

The Willan Woodrow Business Centre- less than ½ mile from Irlam railway station, and the upgraded A57 artery which gives easy access to both the M6 and M60 motorway networks, Manchester Airport and Manchester city centre- incorporates seven two-storey hybrid units up to 5,215 sq ft and four single storey workshop units each of 1370 sq ft, in a secure courtyard with ample private off-road parking.

Founded in the 1930s and still family-owned, Willan is now one of the most progressive regional commercial development companies, applying innovative thinking to develop solutions to give businesses the accommodation they need, where they need it, and within realistic budgets.

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