Introducing the new toilet risers

Kingkraft are pleased to announce two new toilet risers into the UK market and our portfolio of assisted bathing products.

The EasiRiser is designed to fit over most types of WC and assists the service user with lowering and lifting off the toilet. The EasiRiser is also compatible with specialist wash/dry toilets but care needs to be taken to check that the automatic operation of the WC is not affected by the proximity of the Riser.

To avoid the user from slipping/sliding off when in use, the seat remains horizontal throughout the complete cycle.

It's incredibly easy to use with push button controls on both support arms. An automatic cut-out stops the user from colliding with the toilet when lowering and can be adjusted if used on numerous WCs.

Kingkraft's Dale Spademan, Sales and Marketing Manager, said: "This product is designed to help people with mobility issues get off and on the toilet with independence and dignity. We believe this product will be of  most use to adult and elderly users."

The Smart Home Riser is an all-in-one unit which replaces the existing WC altogether. Any wall mounted toilet* can be used and is built into the unit, moving up and down to accommodate the user.

This item is great for small bathrooms as it is flush to the wall and only protrudes 880mm.

The modern system is easy to use with an ergonomically designed remote control handset which can be fitted on either arm rest to suit the service user.

*The Geberit Aquaclean is compatible with this item.

For any more information or to request a demonstration of the EasiRiser or Smart Home Riser please contact the office on 0114 269 0697 or email info@kingkraft.co.uk

Star products for the summer

Kingkraft are incredibly excited with the two new products we have added to our portfolio and they have been welcomed by our customers with great enthusiasm.

Leit's Over Bath Changing Table (OBCT) and Foldable Shower Trolley are being sold exclusively by Kingkraft and have gone down a storm on our exhibition stands.

Leit specifically designs items that are lightweight for ease of use and therefore can be easily transported and are perfect to take away on family holidays.

The OBCT is a folding changing and showering table that fits many standard 1700 baths. When used at home, the OBCT can be folded and stored away allowing the bath to be used by other family members.

The Foldable Shower Trolley is ideal for families who have limited space in their bathrooms. Made from aluminium, it weighs approximately 18.5kg and is compatible with the OBCT. A vinyl folding top section can be supplied also. The trolley comes on lockable castors which helps with transportation.

Additional options are available for both items which include a handy travel bag, side rails and cushions etc.

Leit's products are the result of intensive research and development processes and many more items are in the pipeline.

For more information on the items or if you would like to arrange a demonstration please contact Sales Manager, Tom Harrison, on t.harrison@kingkraft.co.uk or 07703 537217.

Happy Birthday Kingkraft!

It’s May 1984 and the capital’s flood defence, the Thames Barrier, is officially opened by the Queen, Duran Duran are at the top of the chart with The Reflex. The UK’s biggest ever strike commences across the coal mines and Facebook’s inventor, Mark Zuckerberg, is born. But there was another influential birth that month, and that’s us, Kingkraft!

We’ve just celebrated 30 years and here’s a brief flavour of what happened over that time.

Kingkraft started out at Chapel-en-le-Frith in Derbyshire with the Easibath. By the time Nigel and Ruth Harrison bought the company in 1996 Kingkraft was operating out of Tideswell (pictures below) with 8 employees and had added changing tables and shower changers to their portfolio. Nigel is a qualified engineer and Ruth is a children’s physiotherapist so there was a natural fit for their respective talents.

Kingkraft was fast becoming a strong manufacturer within the disabled bathing market and had introduced a brand new bath, the Contour. Due to the heightening demand for our equipment, workers frequently had to build in the yard as there was so little space within the factory unit and with that we started looking for larger premises.

Then and now

In 2003 we purchased two industrial units just minutes away from the location of one of the miners’ strikes most prolific clashes, The Battle of Orgreave. The pit is long gone and in a reflection of the fundamental changes in Sheffield City itself, this site is now home to the Advance Manufacturing Research Centre, which is of enormous benefit to local companies as a centre of knowledge and expertise in manufacturing.

Once established in Sheffield, new developments continued at an increased rate with the launch of our most popular tub, the Multibath, followed by the luxurious Lifestyle Bath. Kingkraft had now become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers for disabled bathing and it was a natural progression to introduce complementary products from other suppliers into our product portfolio by becoming resellers for Ropox, Guldmann and Pressalit who are Scandinavian manufacturers.

2009 saw the addition of a small team of professional Physios and OT’s to the company to enable Kingkraft to provide reviews and assessments for people with sensory issues. We became the UK distributor for Protac products for sensory integration and their SenSit chair is still one of the most popular items on our exhibition stands.

After further analysis of the market in 2011, there was to be one further major change with the opening of an office centrally located in Leicester. The midlands team specifically worked on wetroom adaptations and level access shower installations.

Kingkraft is still a small family run business but that doesn’t stop us from being a leading company in the design of innovative products in our sector and that is something we are very proud of. We operate nationwide with our team of sales managers and engineers travelling from John O’Groats to Lands End to meet our customers’ needs. Internationally too, we have a strong reputation with bathing products supplied throughout Europe and as far afield as South Korea and New Zealand!

“I have spent many happy and fulfilling years at Kingkraft developing products that had style when so much of what is supplied in our industry is designed to be purely functional and not attractive.

With my son and daughter working in the company, I now look forward to the development of the next generation of Kingkraft products”.

Dr. Nigel Harrison

Now after that brief history lesson, we’ll get back to birthday cake!

Happy 30^th birthday Kingkraft!

Introducing the Baby Bather

After two years of design and production meetings our latest product has finally been unveiled.

The Kingkraft Baby Bather is designed to fit on to the base of a standard, domestic bath. The curved backrest securely holds the baby allowing washing with two hands. The backrest is also easily adjustable for positioning.

Made from hygienic polypropylene and a PVC mattress, it is easily cleaned and the soft cushioning provides a comfortable and safe environment for the baby.

It is suitable for babies and early year toddlers.

For more information on the Baby Bather please view our website or send us an email.

Who would like to earn themselves an extra £200?

Kingkraft would like to say a big "thank you" to all our trade and retail customers by putting £200 in your pockets!

We have introduced a new Installation Referral Scheme and will gladly hand over a reward for passing us details on clients and projects. An order needs to be placed with Kingkraft and the project completed for the money to be awarded.

We are looking for referrals on bath replacements, bath removals with shower tray installations, and full bathroom conversions and wet floor adaptations. Installations of Geberit Aquaclean 8000 plus toilets which have been referred will also be eligible for a payment of £40. Kingkraft will offer a payment reward of £325 for any projects that have a value of £10,000 and over.

Kingkraft have just celebrated 30 years of being in business so we have plenty of experience within the bathroom adaptation industry. We operate nationwide and therefore are an approved installer for many local authorities. Our installers are fully trained to the highest of standards and we can undertake all aspects of extra works, for example, tiling, electrical, flooring etc. Our sales managers provide free site surveys and demonstrations and non-obligation quotes. All our installations come with a 12 month warranty and extra maintenance schemes can be taken out.

The retailer must be pre-registered with Kingkraft for the scheme. If you would like to register or enquire for further information please email our Sales and Marketing Manager, Dale Spademan, on d.spademan@kingkraft.co.uk

We look forward to doing business with you!

New bathing facilities for children's hospice courtesy of Kingkraft

Kingkraft has assisted in the refurbishment of an established children's hospice thanks to our 30 years experience.

The Donna Louise Children's Hospice in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, was desperate for new bathing equipment and facilities as the original items were very dated and not user-friendly and turned to Kingkraft for help.

With the hospice's refurbishment we was able to provide new solutions and items for the children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Kingkraft helped create four wash areas complete with variable height basins, specialist wash and dry toilets, a changing table and shower which changes colour with the water temperature.

The new facilities are aimed around the notion of independent living, enabling the hospice's visitors, who are aged up to 19 years old, to feel self-supported and unconstrained.

Dot Gillespie, Director of Care at The Donna Louise Children's Hospice, said: "The children who come to the Donna Louise have complex needs and the equipment used initially was no longer fit for purpose. We wanted products that would last and be fit for the next decade that could be suitable for a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.

"The new facilities are really good and the products are great. They are a million times better than the last ones. The service and dialogue between Kingkraft and ourselves has been brilliant. They have shown great willingness on the project."

Dale Spademan, Sales and Marketing Manager at Kingkraft, said: "It was interesting for us working with the Donna Louise to meet the needs of different users of different abilities in the four bathrooms. The mix of Kingkraft and Pressalit products has met this need and I am pleased that the Donna Louise now has modern aesthetic bathrooms that will make the users feel at home and will last them well into the next decade."

Changing Places facility at darts

Changing Places facility at darts, a set on Flickr.

Kingkraft's expertise in assisted bathing products helped create a new Changing Places facility for darts (Doncaster Community Arts) at The Point in the town centre.

Access to the arts has never been easier thanks to a new Changing Places facility

darts (Doncaster Community Arts) is a registered charity working across the town with people of all ages and backgrounds who have little or no access to the arts. Located within The Point, their ambition is to expand the ability of every single person with the belief that art can fuel change for individuals and communities.

darts turned to Kingkraft to help them design accessible bathroom facilities for the centre as many visitors may need assistance from parents and carers when toileting.

Kingkraft helped create the wet room complete with ceiling track hoist, variable height basin, a changing table and specialist was and dry toilet.

Kingkraft's Dale Spademan (2nd from Right) with the darts team in their new Changing Places facility.

The new facilities have now enabled visitors, especially those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, to enjoy the centre without the worry of inadequate toilet facilities.

Arts Development Manager at darts, Beci Jamieson, said: "We've been wanting to make this improvement to the building for some time. Thanks to Aiming High funding the Changing Places facility, we can now look forward to hosting more workshops suitable for people with disabilities. Kingkraft's experience and specialist knowledge for this kind of project played a massive part in the successful delivery of the project. We have an exciting future ahead!"

Dale Spademan, Sales and Marketing Manager for Kingkraft, said: "We love working on local community projects and having years of specialist knowledge meant we could advise on the best possible solution and equipment to meet the requirements of the centre."

For more information on darts please view their website on www.thepoint.org.uk or if you require advise on how Kingkraft can help you design an accessible bathroom please view the website on www.kingkraft.co.uk

Win a Waitrose Christmas Hamper!

Kingkraft are giving away a festive Waitrose hamper exclusively at the OT Show.

The OT Show takes place between 26-27th November 2013 at the Birmingham NEC. It is the only show in the UK dedicated to Occupational Therapists including a conference programme with over 30 hours of CPD content!

Kingkraft will be exhibiting a range of products from the assisted bathing and showering range on stand no B42.

Kate Painter, Commercial Manager, says: "This is a brand new show solely focusing on our target market and we looking forward to the two days. We are asking visitors who visit our stand to complete a quick questionnaire to be entered into a draw to win the hamper. It's an ideal prize just in time for the festive season approaching!"

The hamper contains a variety of treats including handmade chocolates, spicy nibbles, mince pies and even a bottle of fizz to start the season!

For you FREE ticket to the show please email us at info@kingkraft.co.uk

Pop along to the Kingkraft stand B42 for your chance to win! And also to see how we can help with the planning and designing of your assisted bathroom!

Grab yourself a Kingkraft bargain!

Do you need assistance getting in and out of the bath? Do you need propping up once in the bath? Well look no further because Kingkraft have a fantastic offer on the Fusion through October!

This unique bath offers people who need assistance with bathing a comfortable seat to help support them in the water and then once they have finished will lift them up and out for drying. The bath is also height adjustable making it easy to use for carers.

For a limited time only Kingkraft have an amazing offer to supply and install this product for £4750 excluding VAT, a whopping 30% off the usual price.

Kingkraft have almost 30 years experience in the assisted bathing industry and offer expert advice and support to customers providing free demonstrations and site visits.

So, what are you waiting for? Call Kingkraft today on 0114 269 0697 for more information on this fantastic offer!

Kingkraft to host second open day

If you missed out on Kingkraft's open day in Sheffield at the beginning of the year, don't worry because we're coming to you...well if you're based around Manchester that is. On Wednesday October 2nd we're hosting at the Disabled Living Centre in Cheetham between 10am and 3pm. A number of manufacturers in the industry (including us) will be there to provide demonstrations and a series of talks on the latest technological products and developments in the healthcare industry. Our healthcare professionals will be on hand to discuss our own bathing equipment as well as specialist seating and the always popular Protac sensory products. We might even let you have a go in the SenSit chair! Also exhibiting and providing demonstrations on the day are Geberit, Ropox and pressalit.

If that doesn't get you excited, you will also be provided with a CPD certificate on designing bathrooms for people of varying ability. This seminar is designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the bathroom design process for people with varying mobility. We provide relevant scenarios and explain certain guidelines for you. Kingkraft have been designing and manufacturing disabled bathrrom equipment for almost 30 years so I would have thought we know a thing or two by now about the industry ;) The seminar will last approximately one hour.

If you're still indecisive about whether you want to attend this next point should be the deciding factor, it is free!!! We let you in free of charge, provide you with a free buffet lunch and you go home with a free goody bag! Now that sounds like a great day out of the office to me!

Please email info@kingkraft.co.uk to book your place today!

Date: 02/10/13
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Disabled Living Centre, Redbank House, 4 St Chads Street, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 8QA

Repairs and Servicing

At Kingkraft we understand the importance of customer satisfaction and aim to please on all of our jobs. We strive to provide excellent care from the initial design phase all the way through to the final installation and we don’t stop there! Our highly-skilled team of engineers provide after care on all of our products even if you haven’t taken out an extended warranty. Our engineers are on hand to call anywhere in the country to breakdowns and repairs or servicing requirements. Kingkraft provide a number of servicing and maintenance options for those without warranties. Please see below:

• Call Out – An engineer will be on site within 48 hours to attend to a repair

• Easi-Service – A service that we advise to be done annually

• Easi-Cover – A contract that provides one service and free call out and labour charges for a year

Contact Kingkraft on 0114 269 0697 or email info@kingkraft.co.uk for a quote today!

Kingkraft help to get paws wet

Last week we found out that one of Mobile Shower Changers is being used not for people but for dogs!

We received a lovely phone call from Whitehouse Kennels and Cattery in Lympsham telling us all about their plans to bath and shower the rescue dogs when they arrive and before they leave the centre to go to their new homes.

It sent our hearts a flutter in the office when we heard of this story and we couldn't wait to share it. This is Millie enjoying her bath in the Kingkraft Mobile Shower Changer.

Photo courtesy of Whitehouse Kennels and Cattery

More updates on this lovely story will be available soon.

Kingkraft sets sail at the Mary Rose Museum

The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth is the most exciting attraction to open this year and Kingkraft managed to have a look around before it was open to the public!

Back in March it took our engineers two hours to get through security procedures at the old naval base in order to install a Wall Mounted Changing Table into their Changing Places Facility. And they managed to get a sneak peak at some of the artefacts on display...

I arrived at the main security offices at the front of the naval base at 8.00am and was waiting for an hour and a half going through check in and security passes. Eventually someone turned up to take me to the museum. I followed him in my van for a mile passing warships, frigates and other ships that were docked. After parking up I realised the Mary Rose was no where to be seen as there was no parking at the museum! I then had to load the Changing Table onto a minibus which took me to the entrance. Before I finally got down to work I had to have a quick induction. Whilst I was installing the product a 500 year old Tudor ship was at one side of me and a military band practising at the other. After completing the job I admired the ship for a while and gave some pointers to the band before being led back to the entrance. It was a very surreal day at work but probably one of my most enjoyable despite the long waits and security checks.

Andrew Moore, Senior Engineer at Kingkraft 

Product development: The Multibath and Fusion get a facelift

The Fusion became a popular bath when it was first introduced due to the seat feature which, like the bath, could be raised and lowered. However, one thing that disappointed customers was the inability for the chair to swing out of the bath and be lowered for the user to climb onto it and enter the tub that way. The Fusion 600 addresses this problem and Kingkraft are now happy to say that the chair is able to swing out.

The seat is gently powered into the bath by a hand control and then the bath can be raised smoothly and quietly. The bath is available in three different designs to suit a particular client and the environment in which it is to be used in. The swing seat offers easy transfer with a safe working load of 150kg/24st. It also has removable inserts for more personal cleaning and lap straps and harnesses can be attached to ensure extra security when the chair is being lifted into and out of the bath.

The Multibath has also been developed to include a powered seat like the tub above. This seat can be removed easily for users who would find it unnecessary to use. A replacement cover will then be fastened to the capping column. The seat features a strap and removable arm rests and even tilts in case of encountering an obstruction when lowering. All the regular features of the original Multibath that make it one of our most popular baths are still available with the updated version.

Why not visit us in Birmingham between 29th April and 3rd May at the Naidex exhibition on stand C142 where we will be showing both of the above. We would love to hear your views on their facelifts. For any more information please visit our website www.kingkraft.co.uk

Kingkraft Open Day 12th March 2013

Kingkraft Open Day 12th March 2013, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Kingkraft opened it's doors to healthcare professionals to demonstrate our bathing and sensory equipment and a range of other products from our suppliers.