Page 15 - Mobility Management, January/February 2021

“They came from an outsider’s perspective of trying to revolu- tionize manual wheelchairs as we know it.”
The Quebec-based manufacturer specializes in carbon fiber. “One of the things I’ve learned is Motion Composites starts with the very best,” Verrett said. “For example, our best ideas in folding wheelchairs reside in our Helio C2, and that product is to me the greatest folding wheelchair on earth. It’s incredible for what it does, how strong it is. And we’re so confident in our carbon fiber application that we warranty it: It comes with a lifetime guarantee.”
Motion Concepts then applied the Helio C2’s principles to other wheelchair lines that used less costly materials. “While we may have moved from a carbon fiber to an aluminum product
to better meet difficult, challenging funding guidelines,” Verrett explained, “the same technological principles came over from the premier model in the Helio C2 all the way down through our Helio A7, then eventually to our Helio A6, which is our most entry-level folding chair. But it shares that same one-piece side frame, symmetrical cross brace and other precision technolo- gies that make it one of the most rigid, propulsion-efficient and lightest aluminum folding wheelchairs on earth.”
Simoneau and Gingras were college students when the idea for Motion Composites took shape. “They saw folding as the biggest opportunity to make incredible improvements,” Verrett said of their decision to focus on a folding-frame wheelchair. “If you took a folding wheelchair 15 years ago and looked at it, gener- ally speaking, they had lots of shortcomings. Since E&J [Everest
& Jennings] invented the crossbrace folder in the ’50s, it hasn’t changed, really. Motion Composites saw that as the opportunity to make something that was just remarkable. [In Canada], folding is a much more common and a [larger] part of the prescription process. So it was more prevalent, and they saw it as the biggest opportunity to make a significant improvement.”
The company looks to the aerospace industry, Verrett said, “for new and cutting-edge materials, technologies, and application best practices. However, Motion Composites has sought to be
a trend setter in the industry with our proprietary application
of carbon fiber, our patented symmetrical cross-brace, and the triple-butted aluminum applications we deploy for strength that’s incredibly light, just to name a few.”
As far as what he’s looking forward to in the ultralight space, Verrett said, “I really enjoyed... the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Mobility Unlimited Challenge award (see sidebar). It’s in that spirit of innovation for the benefit of others that I find my true love for this industry, and it’s why I’m so excited about the direc- tion Motion Composites is going. We believe the sky’s the limit with regards to better materials and technologies, and the vibra- tion-damping properties found in our carbon fiber creates the type of ride characteristics I think all wheelchairs should have.
“I think we will eventually solve the challenge of an ultralight- weight tilt system that takes ‘family-friendly’ to a whole new level. In the meantime, we are laser focused on anything we can do to make our products weigh less and be more propulsion efficient.”
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 15 1/27/21 11:38 AM
Access4U®
Modular Ramps Threshold Ramps MINI Ramps Portable Folding Ramps
Access for Living
Access4U manufactures modular ramps, platforms and threshold ramps for accessibility to residential and commercial buildings. The"Enable" Series of Modular Ramps from Access4U builds on our tradition of innovative and attractive design. "Enable" Aluminum Series leads the way in adapting to site conditions, and is easy to assemble. This series is compatible with all Access4U accessories such as, stairs, gates, ground platforms, pickets and guardrails, which may be required for a more convenient and safe installation. Access4U ramps are ADA and IBC compliant. Custom sizes are available.
Access4U Inc.
PO Box 2535, Lower Burrell, PA 15068 | Tel: 800-355-7025 www.access4uinc.com | customerservice@access4uinc.com
MobilityMgmt.com
Untitled-9 1