The Wheel Deal
AusIndustry has helped guide wheelchair manufacturer Glide through an expansion that is not only helping people get mobile faster, but advancing manufacturing for a better product and better environmental outcomes. As the business continues to flourish, it is moving closer to realising its vision of becoming a global exporter.
When Peter Green CSC and Steve Walsh purchased long-standing Australian wheelchair manufacturer Glide in 2019, it was taking the company 12 weeks to build and supply a wheelchair to a customer.
Today, the wait time has been reduced by 75% to just three weeks, making a significant difference to the lives of people who rely on a wheelchair for mobility.
The improvement is thanks to the logistical know-how of the pair, who brought 16 years of experience from the mining industry to the 46-year-old company based in Perth, Western Australia.
Coupled with this expertise has been the support from AusIndustry to help Glide advance its R&D and manufacturing processes while also guiding Peter and Steve’s expansion plans.
“We have a very good product that we want to continue manufacturing in Australia and expand to become exporters in a global market”
AusIndustry’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme provided support for Glide’s strategic planning through its Growth Roadmap services and a $22,000 Growth Grant in 2021, matched by the company.
AusIndustry facilitator, Kerry Bell, helped articulate the pair’s vision for Glide for the next three, five and 10 years. “The assistance he has provided in mapping that out will be invaluable for us to grow from a good business to a great business,” says Peter.
In an industry that demands innovation, the company has invested in R&D to improve the design and mechanics of its bespoke wheelchairs while also modernising production processes to speed up manufacturing.
Glide’s expansion is already well underway. In less than three years, Peter and Steve have increased the workforce from 32 to 45 people. Revenue has grown by 16% per year.
While a larger workforce has expanded its capabilities, they say it is the integration of advanced manufacturing infrastructure that really makes a difference.
While remaining in Perth, the company is moving to new larger premises housing state-of-the-art processing equipment. This technology includes automated systems such as CNC (computer numerical controlled) machines, vacuum forming to shape materials to exact specifications, and robotic systems to finish products.
Through its Innovation Connection facilitators, AusIndustry has also introduced Glide to other companies using advanced manufacturing processes and Western Australian universities. Researchers are now collaborating with Glide to identify materials to make wheelchairs lighter and more functional.
“More than patriotism, there is an economic and practical advantage to local manufacture. Every single custom chair that we make is scripted to an individual's needs, but imported chairs have to be pulled apart, modified and put back together again.”
“Networking and connections have allowed us to see and do things that will help us grow,” Peter says. “Collaborating helps us design new products and bring them to market more quickly.”
Advanced manufacturing will ensure Glide is competitive in international markets while remaining in Australia, making high-quality products for local customers.
“More than patriotism, there is an economic and practical advantage to local manufacture”, says Steve, who is also Operations Director at Glide. As a registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider, Glide’s wheelchairs are made to order. “Every single custom chair that we make is scripted to an individual's needs,” he says. “But imported chairs have to be pulled apart, modified and put back together again.”
Local production also protects customers from delays caused by disruptions in supply chains, an issue brought into sharp focus in the COVID-19 environment.
“We need to develop the capability to ensure that we continue to manufacture products that the Australian market needs. From there, we can also export those products,” Peter says.?
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Glide is currently examining its supply chains to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and overcome the challenges disruptions bring.
Working with Kerry Bell has helped identify pathways to bring more manufacturing capacity in-house. “This will make sure we always have the capability to provide wheelchairs to the Australian market as an Australian product,” Peter says.
“Once you've made that connection, it is very easy to navigate your way through the programs”
Developing such capability also aligns with Australian Government priorities around maintaining onshore manufacturing for commercial benefit.?
“Glide will contribute to the Australian economy by increasing our capacity and production,” Peter says. “If the business makes a profit, the government receives taxes, and we employ more people, so it is a one plus one equals three scenario.”
Reviewing their supply chain is also bringing environmental benefits. Introduced to the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Net Zero SMART Supply Chain project and the information on the options business can implement, Peter and Steve are aiming to take Glide into the low carbon future and become a net zero emitter.
As corporate citizens, they have embraced the net zero program and philosophy and are assessing the many initiatives the SMART project has identified to help eliminate carbon from the business. This will involve reviewing the company’s whole supply chain, from the raw materials it sources to its manufacturing processes.
It includes initiatives to support the ‘circular economy’, so when a Glide chair is at its ‘end of life’, it can be returned and the materials recycled and repurposed.
Their advice for other businesses looking to advance their technology, operations and environmental credentials is to reach out to AusIndustry and its facilitators.
“Once you've made that connection, it is very easy to navigate your way through the programs. An AusIndustry facilitator will walk you through all the steps and put you in contact with the people who will help you,” says Steve.??
About Growth Services
Growth services is a collection of services under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that provide you with advice and funding to grow your business and become more competitive in global markets.?There are 3 Growth services:
Each of these are broken into 2 key stages:
Your facilitator will work with you and give recommendations for your business operations and growth potential.
Growth facilitation is provided at no cost to your business. However, you'll need to invest your time to maximise your engagement. You may need to commit resources such as time and staff, depending on the nature of the project.
Read more on Growth Services and how they might help your business.?
Thanks AusIndustry! Kerry M. Bell has been nothing but supportive right from the start. We appreciate his guidance throughout this process.
Power/Manual Wheelchair and Seating Scripting. Sunshine Coast & Surrounding Regions
2 年Well done Glide. 3 week lead times is very impressive. As a Glide agent for QLD this will increase interest in the Glide range.