INDEPENDENCE MOBILITY CELEBRATE 15 YEARS IN BUSINESS
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Independence Mobility. The company began life back in 2004 and has since grown from a small mobility products supplier to a much larger provider that now works with and supports healthcare professionals across the NHS.
Here, Anthony Mitchell, explains more…
How did Independence Mobility begin life?
Independence Mobility started out on an outside stall on Leeds market with just 2 mobility scooters. We later moved into a small retail outlet on York Road in Leeds, where we initially sold entry-level wheelchairs, scooters and beds directly to end-users with fairly basic needs.
We’ve always had the customer at the forefront of our minds, so from that point of view, we wanted to have a business that really delivered on what we said we were going to do. It was important for us to interact with our customers and provide a high level of service to ensure our customers benefited from the most suitable products for their needs.
How has the business changed over the last 15 years?
The business has changed phenomenally over the years and looks very different today. We now offer a much broader range of products which enables us to look after people with much more acute and complex needs. And we’ve moved to much larger premises to give us the ability to continue to expand our product range.
Due to the success of selling directly to end-users and through recommendations, we were also able to extend our services to Occupational Therapists, social services and the NHS, who we now predominantly supply to. End-users are still very important to us but we’re now able to look after a lot more people and offer a much more professional service.
We still really enjoy the customer interaction but that now includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Case Managers, nursing home staff and hospital teams, as well as the end-users.
What do you enjoy most about working in the industry?
I love the feeling of helping people – that’s really it. Although it’s my job and as company we have to look after everything commercially, the most important thing at the end of the day is helping to change a child’s or adult’s life for the better. And we have the ability to do that with the products that we provide. That’s the most amazing feeling you can get!
How do you see the company developing in the future?
The business is expanding all the time and we still want to be known for what we do – offering a premium service, looking after the end-user but also working with and supporting Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. We know that they have a difficult task of managing their time with such a heavy workload, so we’re always looking at how we can help them and take away some of their stress. We want to make the process of provisioning specialist healthcare equipment much easier for them and more enjoyable, whether it’s the specification of a brand-new piece of equipment or something as simple, but essential, as an equipment repair. Our team are highly experienced and incredibly knowledgeable, and we’re here to help in whatever way we can – from providing information and advice, to support with client assessments, and equipment delivery and set-up.
What are your main objectives for growth?
One of our main objectives is to continue to expand our product base so we can cater for a wider range of needs. We’re constantly speaking with equipment manufacturers to source high quality products and to ensure our customers can benefit from the latest innovations.
Our other main objective is to make more people aware of what we do. We’re very much known in the industry for providing equipment and support for postural management, but we offer such a wealth of other products too. We’re working hard to update our website with information on our expanding product range and connecting with OT’s and Physios via social media, so we’re definitely making tracks.
For more information on Independence Mobility, browse our website. Or to arrange a meeting or a client assessment, call 0113 2628000 or get in touch using the form below.