After looking after his family for 10 years, Tom Kilmore decided to start his own business building custom power-chairs.
Tom Kilmore, director of The Powerchair Company, met his wife Hayley in 2003, he explains: “Since then we have had four children, built our own specially adapted home, live life as fully as possible and have never looked back.”
Hayley suffered an RTA in 1990 leaving her tetraplegic and has been using power-chairs ever since.
EXPERIENCE
As a seasoned mechanical engineer, paired with his personal experiences, Tom developed a keen interest in power-chairs.
When Tom decided to return to work after looking after his family for 10 years, Tom realised he wanted a more rewarding career.
Inspired by his wife, Tom questioned if he could build power-chairs for a living, he says: “It seemed like a viable and logical move.
“I would be able to work from home in my purpose built workshop and be there for my wife and children if they need me, whilst doing a job that is rewarding and makes a difference to people’s lives.”
DEVELOP
A lack of recent development in the industry only spurred him on more.
“I have a huge genuine interest for powered wheelchairs from both a personal and business point of view and I cannot believe how little the industry has progressed over the last 10/20 years,” says Tom.
It seems almost stationary with regard to chassis development.”
The first chair Tom built was for Hayley, over the years he has built her multiple add-ons including baby seats, phone holders and meal trays.
This was the first step to starting his own company, The Powerchair Company, and changing people’s lives for the better.
BUSINESS
Since then Tom has built and sold more than ten power-chairs, allowing him to fine tune his design.
“These chairs have enabled me to fine tune the design and settle on something we believe is very special,” Tom explains.
Tom is determined to provide customers with bespoke power-chairs that come without the custom price tag.
The full range of chairs Tom sells is available to view on the company’s website. Each chair is custom made around what the customer needs and wants.
If you are attending Naidex say hello to Tom on stand N9122.
Follow Enable on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest disability news.