Retailer Spotlight: Sync Living opens doors to new Independence & Mobility Hub in Belfast
Sync Living has announced that its new Independence & Mobility Hub in Belfast has opened its doors.
Formed in 1996 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Sync Living supplies specialist products to support people with impaired mobility throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland. The family business is led by brother Mark and Neil Spottiswoode, who bought the business from their father.
Mark Spottiswoode is managing director and head of trade, and is based at the retailer’s York Road depot. Neil Spottiswoode is director and head of sales, based at the retailer’s new Independence & Mobility Hub at Jennymount Business Park.
Also leading the business is Stephen Flynn, associate director at Sync Living and head of business development.
In the early days, Sync Living initially began building a reputation for specialising in bathroom adaptations for clients as well as supplying accessible bathroom products to the trade. Since then, the business has grown, with its product range following suit and the need for a larger showroom to showcase and assess with the products became a necessity.
Sync Living supplies a vast range of mobility equipment, such as mobility scooters, lightweight wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and walking aids. It also provides a large selection of living aids, including riser recliner armchairs, electric beds, grab rails and stairlifts.
Its specialist bathroom equipment includes automatic wash/dry toilets, wet room showers, walk-in baths, and hoists, while its sensory range includes multisensory rooms and equipment for nurseries, schools, and homes.
Key people
“A family business from day one, we have never forgotten the personal approach to our customers,” says Stephen, who is the showroom manager at the new ‘Independence & Mobility Hub’ in Belfast.
Stephen says that his journey in the industry began in 2007 providing products and assessment for people with back pain. He then spent nearly nine years in 24-hour postural support in paediatrics covering sitting, sleeping and standing, working in support of occupational and physiotherapists.
He adds: “I have now covered everything from paediatrics to dementia care in my various roles. My motivation has always been the same – provide the best there is for those who need it!”
It helps that at Sync Living there are great members of staff who help to keep standards high at the business. “The range of knowledge and experience throughout the team really is second to none,” explains Stephen. “From the visionary ambitions of the directors to conceptualize and develop Ireland’s first ‘Independence & Mobility Hub, right through to the sales support team and engineers.”
The product accessors at Sync Living are some of the best in the business, he says. “From the specialists advisors covering wheelchairs and mobility, bathroom adaptation, sensory and positioning support , right through to the sitting, sleeping and living specialist on site – all areas are more than covered!”
Expand and rebrand
Once the decision was made to expand Sync Living, Stephen explains that the business first addressed how any new premises could be relevant to all of its client groups, which includes healthcare professionals, trade and the public.
He says: “The answer was to create the largest syncronised healthcare solutions showroom on the island of Ireland!”
In 2024, the Independence and Mobility Hub by Sync Living was born. Known locally as ‘The Hub’, it is based alongside Northern Ireland’s busiest stretch of road where the M1 and M2 motorways meet, and customers can find three floors of healthcare product and service solutions under one roof.
Aside from ensuring that showroom was relevant to its key customers, Sync Living has ensured that it is accessible to all.
Stephen explains: “We have two separate entrances on the ground floor, one with lift access to the main showroom areas on the first floor, and one with a stairlift access from our downstairs mobility showroom, which is also great way of showcasing our stairlifts, so everyone can access our large discovery areas upstairs.”
When it came to the actual layout, much thought was put into it, says Stephen. “We settled on the concept of a healthcare journey through all age groups and needs, from ‘paediatric’ to ‘palliative’ care.
“The wonderful colours of the children’s sensory area lead into the homecare living, working, and bathing solutions areas, easily and without marketing prompts or sales gimmicks. This is not to be a shop, but rather a ‘solutions-lead’ experience for everyone who visits.
“If you’re a parent with a child with additional needs you will feel as relaxed as the older person requiring a rise and recline chair assessment who might also be in the showroom. If you are an occupational therapist arriving with a client for a wash/dry toilet assessment, the use of the fully operational ‘Changing Places’ suite within the showroom is invaluable.
“Clients arriving early for appointments with one of our specialists can sit in our accessible kitchen area with a cup of tea or coffee while they wait or just explore the various scooters or rollators on display.”
As well as members of the general public, Sync Living might also welcome contractors and design teams requiring support on a building project, for instance, and he explains that they will be given a tour of the facility and use of their meeting room if required.
Stephen adds: “Another unique offering at The Hub is our regular training and presentation events which take place in the lecture theatre, which is actually just through the back of the upper showroom!”
Repairs and servicing
Sync Living has a trade and servicing team which is still based at its original premises around the corner from The Hub. “Our team of engineers are kept very busy with everything from ramp installation, sensory room fit outs, hoist or stairlift installations and full bathroom installs,” says Stephen.
Sync Living specialises in many products available, but it is very strong in beds, seating, mobility, and bathrooms.
One of the newer products the retailer has introduced is an ‘ergonomic solutions’ suite. Stephen says: “Ergonomic solutions and DSE (display screen equipment) assessments have long been a passion of mine and the introduction of this service means that local companies have access to somewhere with everything from highly ergonomic office seating to keyboards and mice that offer relief from back, neck shoulder and wrist complaints. They look really smart as well!”
Sync Living’s relationship with its suppliers is key, explains Stephen. “It’s extremely important that we trust our suppliers to deliver on their goods and services accordingly. We never lose sight of the fact that these products can be life changing for our clients, and hope that the suppliers give this their full attention as well.
“We are very lucky to have so many on board that do just that and we have built up many great relationships over the years.”
Community hero
Aside from the showroom Sync Living plays a key role within the local community, regularly hosting charity groups and community organisations at ‘The Hub’ and offering them meeting spaces or somewhere to host their events. Its name is also seen on a few rugby, soccer, or GAA shirts around the city as it is regular sponsors of local teams.
E-commerce isn’t a big focus for the firm at the moment, Stephen emphasises, as the business sells itself on its expertise and authority in our field, as well as services offered. “That’s what our customers are buying in to,” he says.
Its website does continue to evolve however as it continues to bring new products and services on board. Says Stephen: “Quite often the website is the first point of contact for any potential customer, so it’s important that they find us easily. The brand is clean, informative, and reactive and that’s what you should get right across the board.”
Outside of normal business, challenges such as supply, pricing, and overheads, the healthcare market continues to trend upwards, explains Stephen. With the ageing population he says that it is inevitable that there will be additional need for the products they provide.
“Our challenge is how accessible we are as a company, how we promote ourselves and how we are perceived in the industry, as well as by the end user.
“Our business plan ensures that we are to the forefront of the local market as a trusted provider of healthcare equipment and services.”
Sync Living will always be evolving as the market demands, he says. “We are constantly on the look-out for genuine, innovative and life-changing products for our clients.
“We have expanded our product range over the past two years and as such expanded our sales and sales support teams.
“This will be the trend going forward and we are excited to continue working closely with our healthcare professionals, trade clients, and suppliers alike.”
Sync Living is also expecting to announce new and continued collaborations in the coming months.
