A FORMER Paralympic gold medallist has seen the Leicestershire based business he launched 26 years ago gain recognition at the prestigious British Healthcare Trades Association awards.
Bromakin Wheelchairs claimed the 2009 ‘Retailer of the Year’ accolade – almost three decades after company founder Peter Carruthers established the company as a ‘spare-room business’ in Loughborough.
After a road accident in 1977 left him with a spinal injury, Peter overcame all obstacles to forge an impressive sporting career.
He reached his pinnacle at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, taking gold in the 100-metre sprint.
Three years before that triumph, he had already set up Bromakin with wife, Sheila.
Bromakin make specialised sporting wheelchairs to an international market, shipping products to the USA, Scandinavia, Holland and Greece.
Peter said: “I’m very proud of the award, which is recognition of all the hard work of our dedicated and loyal workforce. We pride ourselves on always trying to help customers make the best choices to suit their needs and it’s gratifying to be recognised in this way.
“Longevity has been important in our success. We have always been close to our customers and we have listened and learned from them over the years.
“Being a wheelchair user myself gives me a good understanding and a certain empathy with our clients.
“We were pioneers in the early days of wheelchair sport and we have had many profile Paralympic athletes achieve success using our chairs including Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and David Weir.
“Great British number one wheelchair tennis champions Lucy Shuker and David Phillipson still perform in Bromakin chairs.”
