Unwin Safety Systems

Unwin Safety Systems are market leaders in their mature marketplace.

The family business was founded 50 years ago by Norman Unwin to allow wheelchair users in the UK to feel confident about travelling safely in minibuses, as well as other forms of transport, by firmly securing the wheelchair to the vehicle.

This was the first innovation of its kind in the world and the business has grown steadily since that time. It is estimated that more than 1 million users in the UK alone use this system on an almost daily basis. Through constant innovation and leading from the front their continued success has resulted in the expansion of the product range they now design and manufacture which includes removable seat fixtures, wheelchair restraints and seatbelts.

The fact that there are over 45 million disabled people in Europe alone has placed Unwin in a lucrative position for an export market and as such they are currently selling their products throughout most of Europe, and other mature worldwide markets including Australia and Hong Kong. Gerry O’Connor, Sales and Marketing Director, is determined that the company will expand its export market and would like to explore wider opportunities, with Eastern Europe, the Middle East and some African countries.

Unwin Safety Systems requested a visit from RLN SW at the Gearing up for Growth event in September 2007, which was co-hosted by UKT&I and RLN-SW. Prior to that event Unwin was unaware that free, practical language and cultural advice was available to businesses in the South West and was keen to capitalise on RLN SW’s expertise in order to incorporate a language and cultural strategy into their forthcoming business plan.

Susan Roe, RLN SW, said: “I was impressed on meeting Gerry to learn that he had already made attempts to communicate more effectively with his Japanese suppliers by having his business cards translated into Japanese, as well as being aware of some of the cultural differences in Japan. This reflects the effort made by Gerry to be aware of his supplier’s language and culture, which can make a huge difference in a business context”.

RLN SW was able to provide practical advice and subsequent recommendations to Unwin regarding

• the website and product literature translation
• the development of a glossary of technical vocabulary specific to Unwin’s product range, which can be translated into other languages as and when required
• a full language audit amongst Unwin’s 70 staff to identify language skills
• the use of translators to deal efficiently with any enquires that Unwin may receive as a consequence of their materials appearing in other languages
• options for undertaking market research in order to explore new export opportunities.

Talking of his RLN experience, Gerry said, ““I was delighted with the RLN contact to the company at the end of November 2007. We were given sound practical advice during the meeting. RLN provided a very detailed report which gave us so much useful information. This included costings for specific questions I had asked, email addresses of contact points and information sources, as well as advice that will be invaluable to us as we progress with the programme of actions that RLN has recommended. RLN also organised a further visit by one of the team of International Trade Advisors from UK Trade and Investment who has supplied us with even more useful tips and suggestions to strengthen our business aims, I cannot praise RLN’s efforts enough.”

Visit the Unwin Safety Systems website at www.unwin-safety.com.

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