Wilmat is marketing the Dignity 60 stacker range to UK hospitals.

A paradigm shift is lifting the outlook of a UK materials handling company that has been hit by the recent economic crisis.

"The past year has not been easy and there may still be uncertainties ahead but we have taken a fresh look at the way we drive the business forward and it is already having an impact on our performance," says Wilmat Ltd managing director Teresa Hands.

The Birmingham-based manufacturer, which employs 28 people at its Steward Street headquarters, has traditionally produced bespoke lifting products for its customers. Now the company is looking at developing its bespoke equipment into clear product lines.

The first equipment that has been turned into a product range is the mortuary stacker it has developed with the help of a UK hospital. The battery-powered stacker, used by a single operator, can lift up to 380kg (837lbs). It has a power-driven push/pull loading system that enables the deceased to be treated with dignity by circumventing manual handling in and out of refrigeration units.

Other features include push-button lift/lower control, horn and full direction drive control, powered tray, safety slipping clutch, electronic weigh scale and auto-tare facility.

Named the Dignity 60 range, the stackers are now marketed to hospitals in the UK.

The change in direction is made possible by the management buy-out by Hands and fellow director Andrew Capella, both of whom have collectively worked for Wilmat for over 48 years. Former owner and founder Roger Williams remains the company chairman.

"The buy-out was completed around 18 months ago, just before the worst of the recession hit but we never doubted the ability of the company to survive or its potential to prosper," Hands says.

To minimise redundancies, staff worked a three-day week during the peak of the recession but are now back to a five-day week.

Hands says the group is on target to increase turnover by 25% in 2010.

"What's more, we aim to increase our workforce by at least 20% early in the new year," she adds.

Wilmat Ltd claims to be the only UK designer and manufacturer of pedestrian-operated forklifts. Its turnover for 2008 was GBP2.9 million (USD4.8 million). Its future plans are to adapt more of its bespoke equipment into products with wide applications. Products from its Birmingham factory include tow tractors, scissor lift tables, stackers, pallet trucks, prime movers, mould/die handlers and platform trucks. Clients have included BMW, Ford, Siemens, BT and Caterpillar.