History of Brotherwood Automobility - Convertors of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Rod Brotherwood founded Brotherwood Automobility Limited in 1985 after converting a car for wheelchair user friend and neighbour, John Lambert. John, a former airline pilot, had become paralysed as a result of a motorcycle accident and subsequently had become totally dependent upon his wheelchair for his mobility. Rod, an ex 'Westland Helicopters' apprentice and engineer, at the time was running a vehicle restoration business.
John asked Rod if he could turn his extensive engineering knowledge to design and build him a vehicle which would easily transport him in his wheelchair. He wanted the things any customer would look for in a new car, such as smart appearance, convenience and compact dimensions. In particular John wanted something that didn't stand out as a vehicle for the disabled. This was a point Brotherwood Automobility has never forgotten.
Setting out, Rod rebuilt a new Nissan Prairie to enable John to travel centrally in the vehicle, whilst enjoying the same ride and visibility as the driver and other passengers. When the car was complete in August 1985, Rod produced a brochure, and using the original vehicle as a demonstrator, got two orders in 10 days. Immediately he started small-scale production. Production increased from 26 converted cars in the first year as the business grew.
By 1991 the company built a new factory on an extensive site in the small hamlet of Beer Hackett near Sherborne. At that time 18 employees were producing around 12 vehicles a month, but the demand was there and Rod looked at expanding his range into different sizes, prices and styles of vehicle. The current range includes the VW Caddy MPV and Caddy Maxi MPV, Kia Sedona, Peugeot Partner Tepee, and Fiat Multipla.
In 2003 a modern administration building was attached to the main factory, named Lambert House in recognition of John's friendship with Rod.
Now the company; which has 58 members of staff and a turnover of more than £7 million, converts vehicles to allow wheelchair passengers across the world to travel seated in their wheelchairs. It exports internationally as far as Australia, Asia and South Africa as well as Europe.
"We have produced over 4.000 vehicles now, and they have gone across the UK and the globe. We have a very good workforce of local people here. We take on new apprentices and are looking for the business to continue with them in the future."
The development of each new model takes the company around 15 to 18 months of careful testing and design. The company also buys back and refurbishes used vehicles for resale.
The Brotherwood approach to converting a vehicle to be wheelchair accessible
From the beginning Brotherwood Automobility has been very aware of the particular needs of their customers. Although the wheelchair accessible cars look standard, they are cleverly converted to make wheelchair entry and exit easy. Almost as important is keeping the head-height of the wheelchair passenger at the same level as the other seated passengers. "It's very important for the social side of travelling," explains Rod. "Our customers say they can go out as one of the family in one of our vehicles, and that is very important."
The key to achieving this is a new, lowered flat floor of our own design that Brotherwood builds into many of its models as well as, on occasion, modifications to the suspension.
New vehicles are bought in and stripped inside and out. The shells are then mounted on a jig, the floor is cut away and a new steel floor pressing, between 100mm and 300mm lower, is welded in. The new floor also means fitting a new petrol tank, new exhaust and new rear axle carriers. On some models the roof is cut away, and a new roof panel inserted to give more headroom.
All changes to the shell and components carry full European Low Volume Type Approval, and the company operates to full ISO 9000:2008 quality standards. Wheelchair exit and entry is by way of the rear hatch with a hinged ramp. This is a safe, secure and maintenance-free method as well as providing a degree of shelter during the loading process should it be raining.
We believe Brotherwood Automobility has built a reputation for finely engineered wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions for people with mobility difficulties and that our success is based on putting the customer's needs first.