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A company in Moray is preparing to launch and manufacture new lightweight wheelchairs.
Forres-based Phoenix Instinct has secured investment of up to £79,500 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help towards the £137,000 costs of transitioning to become an advanced manufacturing company.
From its premises at the Enterprise Park, it will manufacture wheelchairs made from carbon fibre with an intelligent power assist system.
Over the next three years, Phoenix Instinct is aiming to become the leader in innovative products that facilitate independence for active wheelchair users.
Its original wheelchair luggage product was developed with HIE support for testing, development, and process design improvements, based on different wheelchair types and customer insights.
Phoenix bags are now sold in 28 countries and have brought travel independence to thousands of wheelchair users worldwide.
The development and sale of the luggage and related products helped to raise funds to support the company’s long-term aim to design and develop wheelchairs with increased functionality.
In 2020, Phoenix Instinct was one of five international finalists, and ultimately the winner of, the three year-long Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge, receiving a development grant for the smart wheelchair.
The move to full scale manufacturing in Moray is expected to create two new jobs and support three existing jobs. It should also boost company turnover threefold, with one third coming from international sales; mostly in Australia and the US.
Andrew Slorance, founder and chief executive of Phoenix Instinct, said: “Support from HIE has been outstanding from day one, when I first demonstrated a wheelchair luggage prototype to my account manager.
“It wasn’t long before we rented a unit at the Enterprise Park and began to grow the business.
“Developing products is very expensive and difficult for a small business to afford,“ he continued, adding: “Support from HIE goes a long way to getting us to market with the Phoenix i and continuing our journey to revolutionise technology for wheelchair users around the world.
Scott McKnockiter, senior development manager with HIE in Moray, said: “Innovation is a key driver for business growth, and that’s what this initiative by Phoenix Instinct is all about.
“With the success of its wheelchair luggage product, the company has a great opportunity to begin full scale manufacturing of smart wheelchairs, and in doing so, creating new jobs for Moray.”
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