Guest article: Access BDD on launching into the North American market
It is now over a year since Access BDD launched into the North American market. Melissa Davies, Head of Business Development, North America, has been working at Access BDD for six years. Here she discusses how the first 12 months have been…
What made you choose to join this industry?
“I actually got into the elevator industry by chance. I speak French and I joined the Access team to help expand our international dealer network. Since joining the company, I have not looked back and I cannot imagine ever leaving.
“I believe that having the ability to move freely around the home and access all levels is something that we should all be able to do, and I am very proud to work for a company and be part of an industry that strives to help people regain their independence and continue to live in their home.
“There’s no better feeling than knowing that every day you and your colleagues are helping people all over the world live a safer, happier and more independent life.”
How did you feel when you were appointed to lead the launch of Access BDD in North America?
“I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead our launch into North America. We have a fantastic range of stairlift solutions that make a huge difference in improving the lives of people that face mobility difficulties on a daily basis.
“Therefore, I was delighted to be able to bring these solutions and my knowledge to a brand new customer base here in the US.
“We can now help US companies offer a new, innovative solution to their customers and ultimately help more people live independently within their family home which helps maintain their confidence and can also be beneficial to their mental health.”
Since the launch, what have been the highlights from an Access BDD perspective and for you personally?
“There are so many to choose from! I absolutely loved our official launch into the US which took place at the Medtrade exhibition in Atlanta.
“We used this great event to introduce North America to Access BDD and it was a fantastic opportunity to meet our new US customers and demonstrate our HomeGlide and Flow X stairlifts to them, which many had never seen before.
“There was such a buzz of excitement about the products that we immediately knew it was the start of an exciting new chapter in the Access BDD story.”
What have been the biggest challenges?
“Like many others, our biggest challenge was definitely the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of a sudden, we were unable to carry out our usual way of working. But of course, the need for stairlift solutions does not stop because people will always need these products to continue living at home safely. We had to rethink everything and create new ways to provide support and service to our dealers.
“This included new virtual training sessions, socially distanced supervision, facetime support, new health and safety initiatives and so on. At the time, it felt impossible, but in the end, we were able to adapt and make sure that we could continue to provide our mobility solutions to those that needed them most.”
Which products have proved to be most popular?
“Both the HomeGlide and Flow X stairlift have been a huge hit in the US and Canada, but I would say the Flow X in particular has been very well received. I think this is due to it being so different to anything else that’s available in the North American market.
“Every little detail of the Flow X has been carefully designed to ensure the safest and most comfortable ride for the client. And everything is made bespoke so that it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.
“But I think what really makes it stand out most, is its unique, contemporary design. It really challenges that stereotypical idea of what a stairlift is and looks like.
“Just because someone needs a stairlift, why can’t it be an exciting and elegant addition to the home? And I think that’s why Flow X is such a popular choice for businesses and clients all over the world.”
How does the US market compare to UK/European markets?
“It’s just so big! The USA is such a huge space, so the first step was really finding the right businesses to partner up with across all of the different states. It’s been amazing to see our dealer network grow after starting from scratch.
“And we are very lucky to be working with some wonderful people and businesses that are just as passionate about helping improve people’s lives as we are.”
Has the first year met your expectations in terms of success/signed partnerships with business partners etc?
“The first year of our US launch has been incredible. We have partnered up with some of the best in the business who absolutely love being able to offer the Flow X and 
HomeGlide stairlifts to their customers.
“The feedback from the products has been amazing and we are looking forward to seeing how these partnerships grow in the coming years.
“This is just the start of our journey in North America and I can’t wait to see how things progress over the coming years. We have a very exciting road ahead of us and I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of it.”
American retailers interested in dealer opportunities in North America can contact Melissa Davies can email at info@accessbdd.com.
