British manufacturing has been in decline for decades, thanks to lower costs in areas such as the Far East. But recently, local exporters have been helped by the strength of the euro which makes selling goods abroad cheaper.

Companies such as Care and Independence in Bicester are now able to expand into Europe for the first time and make real inroads.

The company manufactures hoist slings for lifting wheelchair-users from one seat to another, or into various places such as baths, toilets, swimming pools, vehicles and beds.

Managing director Richard Handley originally trained in the marine industry and worked as an engineering officer for a merchant shipping organisation.

But 25 years ago there was a big decline in merchant shipping and that, combined with the family pressures of being away at sea for four months at a time, brought him back to shore and he landed a job installing patients’ lifting equipment in the healthcare industry.

In 1989, he moved to what is now Chiltern Invadex in Bicester, a disability equipment specialist, as a sales rep and was rapidly promoted to director level.

He said: “I was there 13 years and I saw a lot of changes and worked in areas including running the sales team, product development and general management.”

It was in 2002 that he decided to go it alone and start Care and Independence with co-director Peter Cheal, who owned a couple of other UK companies in the same industry.

Mr Handley, 49, added: “I could see an opportunity for the slings used for lifting people to be improved.

“The market was flooded with poor quality badly-designed slings, mostly manufactured overseas by large producers.”

Mr Handley initially spoke to a sub-contracting company which was not really helpful, so he decided to employ local machinists and became a manufacturer.

He added: “Now we are the leading independent sling manufacturer in the country and have called our product range Glove Slings because they fit so much better.”

Care and Independence is starting to export and already has a major customer in the Netherlands and, as we spoke, Mr Handley was off to Germany to talk to potential customers.

But the company also has a big local customer base, including Oxfordshire County Council which operates a patients’ loan store for this kind of equipment in Didcot.

“The slings have become standard equipment and we are very proud of that.”

The company works closely with Mr Cheal’s other firms throughout the country as part of the Spectra Care Group which, between them, make a wide range of products for moving and handling people with disabilities. Each works as a single point of reference, offering all the group’s products for a particular area.

As an engineer, Mr Handley had limited experience running a business and has turned to Business Link over the years for advice, resources and access to other specialist support and funding.

The business support organisation put the company in touch with the Manufacturing Advisory Service and UK Trade and Investment, which helped with the development of leaner manufacturing techniques and overseas investment.

Mr Handley says that while the demand has always been there for people requiring this type of equipment, in recent years customers have become more demanding.

“People’s expectations are higher in terms of quality of life and also the Government is keen for people to be cared for at home.

“We aim to provide the type of equipment to achieve that by being innovative, and we are winning a lot of market share as a result.”

Care and Independence moved into larger premises in Telford Road, Bicester, a year ago after outgrowing its old buildings at the Field Farm Business Centre at Launton, and the company now employs 34 staff.

The recession meant growth last year was restricted to 11 per cent, a figure which would be the envy of most firms in a benign economic climate.

But prior to that growth had stood at 50 per cent a year. Annual turnover has now reached £2.5m.

Mr Handley added: “The way this year is going we could exceed 50 per cent growth.”

That has been fuelled by a major healthcare contract in London which has prompted the opening of another unit in Essex.

Almost a unique selling point of the business is that the slings are manufactured in the UK, while competitors rely on countries such as China and Sri Lanka.

Mr Handley also does business with his previous company, Chiltern Invadex, which is not a direct competior as it does not sell slings, in what he describes as a “friendly trading relationship.”

Good news indeed for a British manufacturer starting to export its quality and expertise to a growing customer base.

Name: Care and Independence Established: 2002 Managing director: Richard Handley Number of staff: 34 Annual turnover: £2.5m

Contact: 01869 327999 Web: www.disabilityequipment.com