We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year, and over the last few months we have been reflecting on Astor Bannerman’s journey – looking back at where the company started in 1993, the development since then, and looking forward to the next 30 years.
The company was born out of a desire to use technology and engineering to create equipment that would really make a difference to the lives of disabled people. In 1993, two friends from Oxfordshire made a height-adjustable kitchen table for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
They then switched their attention to washbasins, using a bespoke height adjustment mechanism, touch-operable taps (which didn’t really exist at the time), and uncommon materials such as Corian, to create the ABW; a strong, ergonomically designed basin that supported people with Muscular Dystrophy and other disabilities.
The design was refined over subsequent years, and the ABW’s sixth iteration, the Astor ABW6, is an incredibly important and popular product in the range today.
After creating those first products, the company expanded into other areas, and has driven the standard for quality specialist equipment in homes, care homes, schools and Changing Places Toilets, influencing Government to pass legislation and then educating architects to include Changing Places Toilets and Hygiene rooms within their plans.
Our ongoing product development has meant that we are one of the only companies in our marketplace introducing truly different and innovative products under our vision of improving lives for people living with a disability, and their carers. Our products are also developed to look and feel homely and desired – to take daily care beyond routine.
Astor Bannerman is in a very exciting phase right now, building on 30 years of heritage, and combining that with an innovative and fresh approach to the market.
This has been made possible by continual investment in product development, an increased reach through communication, a growing sales team and strengthened installation, servicing and customer support. This has enabled Astor Bannerman to achieve continued growth over the last 3 years. Mark Colebrook, Managing Director, has led the growth and built a strong leadership team to propel the drive alongside him. Re-investment into the company has seen the number of employees increase from around 50 to close to 100 over the last couple of years and continues to increase to support the growth vision. Â
In many ways, Astor Bannerman in 2023 is unrecognisable from the company that created those first pieces of equipment 30 years ago, but we remain true to its founding principles of being ethical, considerate and compassionate. Through the subsequent years, it has been incredibly important not to lose sight of our mission, and to ensure that the entire team is able to feel proud of the work we do. We don’t sell clinical equipment. We provide solutions for families and individuals to enable them to live a more fulfilled and happy life.Â
We were thrilled to be finalists at the recent SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards, nominated in in three categories: ‘Most Innovative Business’, ‘Medium Business of the Year’, and ‘Business Leader of the Year’. It was an incredibly proud moment when it was announced that we had won the ‘Medium Business of the Year’ award. It is so gratifying for the company’s work to be acknowledged in this way and is a testament to the hard work of everyone in the team both over the last few years, and also throughout the 30 years that we have been supporting disabled people and their families.
We have lots of exciting news, events and product launches coming up over the next few months, so watch this space.
Our 30th year is going to be one to remember!