A Solihull-based manufacturer specialising in innovative mobility aids is growing after investing in his company with support from a business programme.
The Active Hands Company was founded by Rob Smith after a life-changing spinal cord injury while on holiday left him partially paralysed in all four limbs.
Unable to use his hands for many everyday tasks, Rob and his mum Marion developed a gripping aid to help him get back into the gym as part of his rehabilitation.
The homemade solution they built at their kitchen table turned into a business that now employs eight staff with an annual turnover of more than £700,000.
Around 80 per cent of its sales are exports to 60 countries including the US and Australia.
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Rob has used funding from Business Growth West Midlands to invest in a specialist sewing machine and a 3D printer to boost production and develop five new products.
He has also been able to grow exports to the US by securing quality and safety accreditation.
He said: "The new machinery has changed the way we do things and that's made a real difference to the productivity of the business.
"We're developing new products and making more of them here in Solihull. That means I'm looking to increase the hours of the team and grow our workforce.
"Business Growth West Midlands' support has helped us as we look to keep growing with a pipeline of new products and new markets overseas."
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added: "The West Midlands is full of innovative, purpose-driven enterprises like Rob and Active Hands and I'll keep backing them with the tools and funding they need to grow, compete and create good jobs for local people.
"Rob has tapped into a niche market and shown what innovation and ambition can achieve, no matter what your circumstances are.
"He has shown an inspirational determination to not let his own disability hold him back from building a business with a global reputation."
Business Growth West Midlands was set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority and provides small companies with tailored packages to help them grow, adopt digital technologies, transition to new supply chains and access funding.
