Burntwood wheelchair maker set for big launch
A Burntwood manufacturer of made to measure wheelchairs – for sport and daily use – will be officially launching its revolutionary new power assist device at an exhibition in Birmingham.
RGK, which employs around 40 people on Burntwood Business Park, is showcasing its Smart Drive device at Naidex, the UK's largest disability, homecare and rehabilitation event, which is running at the NEC from today until Thursday.
Smart Drive gives greater freedom and power to wheelchair users and is being sold exclusively by the Staffordshire-based company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
RGK was started after co-founders and directors Russel Simms and Greg Edeb, who are both wheelchair users, met through playing wheelchair basketball.
Specifically designed for active users, the company's lightweight Smart Drive provides the user with a boost of extra power to climb steep hills independently, without exerting any additional physical energy.
The handy speed booster simply attaches to the back of daily-use wheelchairs and can be used for days between charges.
The powered wheel allows chair users to travel over different terrain, such as cruising up hills, over carpet and through grass. It is just as easy to remove by simply reaching one arm behind to take the device out of its holder
The Smart Drive is the latest in a long line of customisable products from RGK.
Every wheelchair produced by RGK since 1988 has been unique to the customer.
Dan Sutton, RGK's UK sales and business development manager, said: "Independence is a luxury many of us overlook.
"For wheelchair users, it is often difficult to travel alone as we are restricted by what our chair can handle. This is why we are so proud to be the only wheelchair manufacturer in the UK to distribute the Smart Drive.
"It will provide users with the independence they need to get through their daily lives and is flexible enough to withstand different terrains and curbs.
"Customers can buy Smart Drive directly through RGK, but we're also selling this fantastic product through a number of dealers, who we've partnered with for this product.
"We've always pushed to be better, faster and stronger, which we wanted to pass onto our customers; Smart Drive certainly lives up to this mantra. We're looking forward to unveiling our latest product at Naidex and seeing the reaction from customers."
