Monday, March 30, 2009

Stairlift factory closes with loss of 80 jobs

This article appears on the www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ website.

A NORTH-EAST factory which makes stairlifts is to close with the loss of 80 jobs, it was revealed last night.


The revelation that the Bison Bede plant, in Consett, County Durham will cease production with immediate effect was said to be a “massive blow” for Derwentside and the wider North-East manufacturing sector.

The decision was announced yesterday by Bison Bede’s parent company Acorn Stairlifts, after a 30-day consultation period. Although the plant has a forward order book of about £1.4m, work which will now be distributed around other factories in the Acorn group.

The move comes despite efforts from the GMB union and constituency MP Hilary Armstrong to preserve employment in the area.

Last night, the 80 workers at the plant were made redundant, although it is understood there are 20 jobs on offer at Acorn’s plant in Scotland, with workers being offered bus transport back to the North-East on weekends. It was unclear how many workers had opted to take up the proposal.

The factory has been a key employer in Consett since 1981, at its peak employing about 200 people at its base on the town’s Number 1 Industrial Estate. Its offers a range of stairlifts and mobility products, designed to aid independent living at home.

Gail Johnson, regional organiser for the GMB, said yesterday’s decision comes as a blow to the area, adding: “We’ve been in consultation for 30 days, but it is a blow to learn the plant is definitely going to close. It has been really successful and has orders for about £1.4m for this year, but that work is now going to be given to other factories outside the North-East.

“We understand that’s because there’s more space at the other sites. This area is being massively hit by job losses, and these are more jobs going that Derwentside can ill afford.”

No one from parent company Acorn Mobility was available for comment last night.

Bison Bede was acquired by Acorn, a rival stairlift manufacturer, in November 2007, although there were no changes made to the Consett operation.

Previously, the company affirmed its commitment to the North-East by revealing it had rejected options to relocate to Korea, and invested £1m in manufacturing equipment at the plant.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Stannah Curved Stairlift


A video of the curved stairlift with powered hinge rail manufactured by Stannah and available from Dolphin Lifts in the UK.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Heavy Duty Stairlifts - 28.5 Stone Weight Limit

The Homeadapt or Bruno Elite represents more than a decade of research and engineering by Bruno Independent Living Aids, the US market leader in high-quality stairlifts. A Homeadapt stairlift from Bruno means innovative design, unparalleled performance and a new life in the home you love!

The Bruno Elite is a truly Heavy Duty Stairlift and is more robust than any other stairlift currently on sale in the UK. Visit the Dolphin website for more details or call 0800 9800 126.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Reconditioned Stairlifts - £900 with 2yr warranty

Over the last few years prices of new stairlifts have fallen considerably. It is now possible to buy a new stairlift for around the same price that a second hand lift would have been 10 or 15 years ago. Consequently many perfectly serviceable stairlifts are being scrapped.

For a limited time Dolphin Lifts will supply and install a straight reconditioned stairlift in the South-East of England for £900.00, including a 2 year parts and labour warranty (Office Hours Service). Click on the links below for more details.

Reconditioned Meditek Stairlift

Reconditioned Stannah Stairlift


Reconditioned Minivator Stairlift

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Minivator Outdoor Stairlift

Some stair lifts are suitable for use in external locations and can be particularly useful for improving access to homes with several steps to the point of entrance.
The Minivator Outdoor Stairlift comes with a manual swivel seat and features remote controls and a key isolation switch.
The luxury seat has slate grey upholstery and the unit also has a waterproof stairlift cover for added protection.
The Minivator Outdoor Stairlift is suitable for use only on straight staircases.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Stannah 260 Curved Stairlift - powered hinge video

This video shows the powered hinge operation of the Stannah curved stairlift. Available from Stannah and selected distributor's such as Dolphin Stair Lifts.



Friday, March 13, 2009

Meditek Straight Stairlifts


The Meditek Straight Stairlift is available from selected distributor's in the UK such as Dolphin Stairlifts.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009