A SCOTTISH company has launched a new programme to bring its staff closer to its disabled customers who buy and use the vehicles they manufacture.
Allied Vehicles Group, which is based in Glasgow, said its assemblers would come face-to-face with its customers to give them first-hand experience of what happens to their specialised wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) after they leave the factory.
It said the programme will involve as many vehicle assemblers as possible going out to deliver vehicles to customers over the next year, to let them witness how their work has a positive impact on the lives of disabled customers who need the WAVs.
Scott Kane was the first assembler to go on a home visit under the new programme when he delivered a Peugeot Horizon to Jim and Janet Grant in Edinburgh.
“It’s been highly motivating for me to understand the ways in which a vehicle that I’ve worked on can make such a difference to people’s lives,” said Kane.
“It’s really rewarding seeing how happy the customers were. I feel really proud of the work the guys and I do, and it’s an eye-opening experience getting to see where the car goes after we’ve finished working on it.”
Jim Grant was a fireman for 30 years, but 20 years ago was diagnosed with motor neurone disease MND).
The new car will allow the couple to travel around together in comfort and style.
Janet Grant said: “Jim taught me to drive when I was 17 and it’s great that I can now use that skill to get us both around.
“We had a Peugeot Horizon for five years and came straight back to Allied when we needed a new wheelchair accessible vehicle.
“The new Horizon is a lovely car and it’ll make a big difference. This is a lovely idea and it was really nice to meet Scott.”
Allied said its core purpose was defined in the phrase, “we move people and make a difference to their lives”.
The company works with leading car makers to manufacture and re-engineer vehicles for disabled people across the UK and beyond
It employs more than 680 people – most at its main manufacturing plant and administrative headquarters, in Glasgow – and supplies around 6000 vehicles each year.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here