Originally Bernard Mansell based in Northampton provided conventional conversions for vans from adding extra seats to glass carriers for glaziers. As time went on an increasing number of customers visiting their premises were looking for new and used vans, MPV’s and minibuses to enable them to transport passenger’s dependant on a wheelchair. They began to understand the frustration for families not being able to find good quality converted vehicles at affordable prices.
Research predicts an ageing population in the UK. This combined with their specific market knowledge led to an understanding that for increasing numbers of families, life will include a wheelchair for mobility. Hence Bernard Mansell decided to change their business strategy and move into converting vehicles to cater for the wheelchair user.
Steve Ponting, Managing Director of Bernard Mansell contacted a number of manufacturers and was able to obtain a supply of new vehicles to Bernard Mansell specification from dealerships such as Mercedes, Volkswagen and Ford who were prepared to supply quality vehicles to Bernard Mansell to enable them to convert into good quality wheelchair accessible vehicles.
The conversions have helped many families with wheelchair dependant family members achieve small or long journeys in comfortable, spacious and safe vehicles which were tailored to meet their needs.
The taxi / private hire vehicles are now a large proportion of the conversions carried out. Again, Councils recognised that more and more of their constituents were wheelchair dependant but unable to find suitable transport. Taxi companies needed to be able to convert their taxis to enable them to be able to transport their wheelchair dependant passengers in a safe and stress-free manor to their required destination. The taxi conversions now provide over 70 percent of the business today.
All vehicles are tested by the Vehicle Certificating Agency to full European, UK M1 Type Approval or Certificate of Initial Fitness.
Broadly wheelchair conversions comprise of a combination of three elements:
1. Internal changes to the vehicle
2. Electro hydraulic lifts
3. Various ramps
1. Internal changes to the vehicle
There are a number of internal alterations needed to be made to create a vehicle suitable for a wheelchair dependant person; these changes are usually determined by the customer’s requirements.
• Variable seating configurations
• Room to fit one or more wheelchairs
• Safe access using a ramp or lift
• Fully tracked floors
• Wheelchair securing floor pods
• Safe fixing point for wheelchair and passenger restraints
• Grab handles
• Wheelchair harness
• Vinyl or leather seats
2. Electro hydraulic lifts
Bernard Mansell provides vehicles with electro hydraulic lifts which are designed to raise individual wheelchairs, its occupant and a carer into the vehicle using simple controls by the operator.
There are various types of electric lifts available depending on the vehicle required;
• Internal tail lift
• External lift (available on some models)
The lifts really help to aid both driver and the wheelchair user; they require no electric hook up and lower down to ground level for easy access. An emergency manual override is provided to cover all eventualities.
3. Ramps
In addition, Bernard Mansell supplies ramps to enable wheelchair dependant passengers to enter the vehicle safely and at ease.
The ramps are light and user friendly, they retract easily to be stored neatly at the side or rear of the vehicle without the loss of cabin space or seating configurations.
There are various types of ramps available depending on the vehicle required;
• Telescopic ramps (2 individual ramps)
• Tri fold ramps (complete platform)
• Rear loading fold down ramps, static or sliding (on some models); either can be easily removed with quick release.
Conclusion
As a result of paying attention to what customers were saying and an understanding of market demographic changes a traditional vehicle manufacturing company has successfully, moved from a static, highly competitive market sector into a growing high added value niche of wheelchair accessible vehicles and established clear differentiation versus it’s competition.
Steve Ponting is the Managing Director of Bernard Mansell based in Northampton which was established in 1983 and is now one of the UK’s leading manufactures of versatile, wheelchair accessible people carriers, minibuses and taxis for commercial or private use. Steve can be contacted on 01604 757502 or through www.bernardmansell.com
