Experienced Dave Pennington-Shaw joins Motion Healthcare ahead of new product launches
Having first entered the market in 2016 with a range of innovative powered mobility products, Motion Healthcare has now bolstered its ranks, taking on an industry veteran to enhance its coverage, ahead of a raft of exciting new products coming this year.
Still a relative newcomer to the market, the supplier has focused on being ahead of the curve to help set it apart from larger and more established competitors, establishing a loyal customer base for ranges like it’s Lithilite scooters and Foldalite powerchairs.
Firmly setting its sights on further growth, Motion Healthcare has welcomed industry expert Dave Pennington-Shaw to the team, becoming the Business Development Manager in the North of England.
Bringing experience from both the supply and retail side of the mobility sector, Dave’s early career saw him play an instrumental role in laying the early foundations for what would become one of the world’s largest mobility suppliers.
“I’m certainly no stranger to the industry,” Dave told THIIS.
“I was with Medicare for about five years, just prior to the company being taken over by Drive and between a team of three of us, we grew Medicare and built a solid foundation by making long-lasting relationships with mobility retailers and introducing new products.”
During his time with Medicare, Dave and his colleagues also first introduced the well-known Mercury range to the market – the first mobility scooters to be sold by the company.
“We are not looking for just a load of new dealers in areas. Instead, we are looking for trade partners and want to support those companies that are already on board with Motion.” Dave Pennington-Shaw
“At the time, Medicare did not offer any scooters as the focus was on wheelchairs, walkers and daily living aids, so we saw the opportunity to gain a foothold in what was still quite a young market,” continued Dave.
“We did a memorable unveiling of the Mercury range and many in the industry may still remember our light-hearted launch where we invited dealers to the Medicare HQ in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where we rode in wearing Biggles scarfs and dressed like the dam busters!”
Leaving Medicare just before its acquisition, Dave’s 25-plus years in the industry have seen him work in a variety of roles, including as a National Sales Manager, Sales Director and even heading up hearing aid giant Amplifon’s mobility division, where he was responsible for five retail shops and 28 employees.
“The experience gave me a real understanding of some of the pressures facing mobility retailers out there and what they need from us in terms of support,” he added.
Yearning for that same excitement and sense of reward he enjoyed when growing and developing Medicare in those earlier years, Dave’s interest was piqued when he came across Motion Healthcare’s job advert on THIIS’ jobs board.
After getting in touch with the company and finding out more about its culture, goals and aspirations, Dave says he was eager to add his experience into the ambitious young mobility company.
“I didn’t want to join a company to do the ‘same-old, same-old’ of being handed 60 plus accounts and maintaining what was already there. I wanted the opportunity to get in at the ground floor to help build and develop something special in the market again,” he told THIIS.
“After speaking with Tim Mills and learning more about Motion’s plans and ambitions, I knew I had to get involved. Everything that the company stands for, helping trade customers with fantastic support and innovative products so they can, in turn, help the end-users, really chimes with what motivates me.
“The most exciting aspect for me however is taking a small company and helping it reach that next stage of growth. It’s something I have experience in and, after speaking with Tim and the team, I see that same opportunity at Motion for it to become a real force in the industry.”
In his new role, Dave will be focused on growing and developing the north, however, he stressed that this growth will be in line with Motion’s core retail support strategy and values.
“We are not looking for just a load of new dealers in areas. Instead, we are looking for trade partners and want to support those companies that are already on board with Motion. We want to be in it together with the companies that we work with and who choose to work with us,” he explained.
“Our model is to support companies that share our values and are prepared to work with us, so we will not supply to every single mobility shop in every town. We will focus on a limited number of retail partners, providing them with innovative products and attractive margins.”
Aiming to reward loyalty with loyalty, Dave added that Motion is looking for retail partners that prioritise the needs of their customers and are willing to take on innovative products, rather than box shifting for the sake of volume.
Discussing the new appointment, Tim Mills, Head of Business at Motion Healthcare, commented: “Dave is a fantastic addition to the Motion Healthcare team and joins us at an exciting time.
“With an influx of new products en route that we know will be popular, the time is right to bring in more resource in to help us to continue our growth and I really couldn’t think of anyone better than Dave to come on board. His extensive experience in the industry will prove invaluable and his motivation to do the best by our customers is completely in sync with the way we work as a company.”
New products inbound
Tim confirmed that Motion will be launching four new products ready for the spring: “We have the new Illumina, a new take on our current Lithilite scooter. It’s our new, aluminium boot scooter that dissembles into incredibly light pieces, with the heaviest part weighing no more than 10kg. In addition, it has a 30-mile range which we know will prove popular as we enter the warmer months.
“We also have the new Elev8 portable mobility hoist, which weighs under 10kg and plugs into a users’ scooter to electronically raise it to the level of the car boot, so users do not have to strain themselves lifting a scooter.”
Having primarily focused on the powered mobility segment of the market, Tim also highlighted how the budding supplier is diversifying into new ranges of aids.
“We have our new Foldacrutch, which is our first set of folding crutches on the market. Lastly, there will be the Aerolite, which will be a one-piece, folding powered wheelchair that will be under 20kg in total,” he finished.
“We are aiming to have all four in stock and available to purchase by the end of February. With Dave joining us and four new products in the pipeline, I’m confident 2020 will prove a phenomenal year for Motion and, more importantly, our customers.”
To contact Dave Pennington-Shaw, email dave@motionhealthcare.co.uk or call 07593135283
https://thiis.co.uk/experienced-dave-pennington-shaw-joins-motion-healthcare-ahead-of-new-product-launches/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dave-Pennington-Shaw-Motion-Healthcare.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dave-Pennington-Shaw-Motion-Healthcare-150x150.jpgNew to the TeamNewsroomSupplier NewsTrade NewsAerolite,Business Development Manager,Dave Pennington-Shaw,Elev8,Foldacrutch,Illumina,jobs board,Lithilite,Medicare,Motion Healthcare,North of England,powered mobility products,recruitment,tim millsHaving first entered the market in 2016 with a range of innovative powered mobility products, Motion Healthcare has now bolstered its ranks, taking on an industry veteran to enhance its coverage, ahead of a raft of exciting new products coming this year. Still a relative newcomer to the market, the...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine