Retailer Spotlight: How Mountfield Services is accessing all areas
Now in its 27th year, Mountfield Services has been thriving as a stairlifts specialist in the South of England, where it is one of Handicare’s biggest dealers. Lee Anderson, Manager of Mountfield Services, describes how the firm works…
Based in Basildon, Essex, Mountfield Services was founded in 1996 by Mick Anderson, Managing Director. It covers most of the South of England, including Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire and London.
The business specialises in all kinds of accessible mobility equipment such as stairlifts, homelifts, bathroom adaptations, lifts, ceiling track hoists, ramps and grab rails and powered door and window openers.
The business all began after the company Mick was working for ceased trading, so he decided to work for himself. Very much a family business; at one point all four of Mick’s children were working for the business. These days, Mick’s oldest child, Lee, is the manager at the firm.
Lee Anderson has been working at the company since he left school 23 years ago and runs the moving and handing side of the company and is very keen on growing the company further. He appreciates more than anyone the hard work that has gone into make the business a success.
Asked about what he thinks has been key to its longevity over 27 years, he replies: “Hard work, a good work force which has built up our excellent reputation and a desire to go the extra mile for our customers.”
Lee explains that he was motivated to work in the growing mobility industry. He adds: “Working in an industry where you can make a real difference and change in someone’s life by installing a bit of equipment which gives them their independence back is very rewarding.”
Other key people working at Mountfield Services, apart from Mick and Lee, include Dawn Webster, its office manager, who has been working at the firm for 23 years and has been “a massive part of our success”, according to Lee. Others include senior engineer David Fowke, engineers Jim Paterson and Luke Turner, as well as Holly Anderson and Natalie Hall, who work in administration.
Stairlift specialist
Mountfield Services has built a solid reputation as a stairlift specialist. Lee explains: “We carry out a full and in-depth site survey for all our customers, using our years of expertise/experience so we can inform them of the best solution to fit their needs.”
Mountfield Services is a Diamond Tier dealer in the Handicare Partner Programme and is currently working its way up to becoming the stairlift supplier’s biggest dealer in the South.
Lee comments: “We’ve found the Handicare range in general very popular. One of the main reasons for using Handicare as our main stairlift manufacture is because of the wide range of products and features, such as the Slide Track and Active Seat.”
The Slide Track automatically slides the stairlift track clear of any obstacles while it moves up or down the track, while the Active Seat is a lever that the user can lift up to activate the seat.
Lee says that the firm has had a long working relationship with Handicare since opening an account with it when it started traded 27 years ago. He says: “We feel like with a grown with Handicare over the years and are very proud to be their biggest dealer in the South and have our sights on becoming their Diamond partner of the year in the next couple of years.
In fact, Lee says that the Handicare 1100 and 2000 stairlifts are its biggest-selling products.
The showroom
Anyone interesting in buying an accessible mobility solution is encouraged to visit Mountfield Services’ dedicated demonstration showroom and test out a huge range of products that it has offer.
The retailer works with brands such as BHM Medical, Impey, Wessex, Contour, AKW, N&C and Handicare. Mountfield Services showroom showcases a selection of all the products that it offers.
Its website is also a good place for its customers to learn about our company, says Lee, as it showcases all the products and services it offers. He adds: “We’re very aware that the internet/social media is the best place to get our name out there these days.”
Since the start of the year, the retailer has also hosted several Trusted Assessor training days for occupational therapists at its showroom. The feedback, says Lee, has been very positive with Thurrock Council pleased with its setting, as it allowed participants to immerse themselves in measuring and fitting the equipment.
It is looking forward to introducing the new Handicare 4000 stairlift to customers this spring. Lee says: “The Handicare 4000 is going to fill a big gap in the market in my opinion. We’ve been missing a reliable heavy duty curved stairlift in our portfolio and we believe the Handicare 4000 meets these needs.”
Lee says he is looking forward to expanding his product range with the latest technological advance. He adds: “We believe home controlled devises are the future. Being able to control opening your doors and windows via an Alexa would be very useful for a wheelchair or bed-bound client.”
Community-focused
Mountfield Services become a proud London Stadium Associate Partner in the last couple of years, meaning that its company logo is shown at all West Ham FC Premier League home games.
The firm is always very interested in contributing and giving back to the local community/charities.
Says Lee: “Last year we were the main sponsor at a local school fair and we donated to a children’s Christmas party event, supplying presents. This was organised by one of the housing associations we work for.
“We carried out our yearly Christmas food parcel delivery service for the less fortunate and vulnerable and supplied a new bench to one of the sheltered housing sites we work at and donated/helped in organising and raising £1,500 for a friend to put towards treatment for a brain tumour.”
As for the future, Lee hopes that it will continue to supply equipment for local authorities despite the challenging financial circumstances at the moment.
He says: “A large amount of Mountfield Services’ work comes via local authorities, so it is worrying if the government cuts their spending. The cost of living crisis is very real and customers are not spending as much money on mobility equipment.”
He is keen on building on all the hard work his father has done for the past 27 years, however.
“I hope Mountfield Services will still be running for another 27 plus years so mine and my sister’s children can also have the opportunity of working for Mountfield and helping it to grow further, as we did.
“As stated, I want Mountfield to keep up with technology, looking into home control systems and keeping an eye out for any other products that we feel will benefit our customers needs/make life easier.”
