Work has begun on Specialised Orthotic Services’ brand new two-storey extension at its Tutbury, Staffordshire base to help fulfil its ambitious four week ‘from commission to delivery’ commitment and provide showrooms to demonstrate its products in situ.

Specialised Orthotic Services, known as SOS, designs and manufactures special seating products for the physically disabled on-site and the extra 10,000 feet of space will allow for more staff and extra capacity as popular products such as the ‘P’ Pod continue to grow in demand.

The ground floor of the new build will be home to a series of demonstration rooms showing its 20-strong range of products in situ – so commissioners and users can see exactly how they will look and perform in a number of environments. The extra space will house a demonstration room, school room, bedroom , living room and bathroom. This innovative use of space will really allow the products to be seen in action.

Other departments such as upholstery, sales and marketing, customer services, and technical and planning teams will also be moved into the new extension when it is completed.

Gordon McQuilton, SOS managing director explains: “Due to the success of new innovations and our continuous product development we need both more space and more staff. This added extension to the existing building will allow us to host open-days for teams of occupational therapists and wheelchair services to really showcase our products. They’ll be able to see the products in action and the benefits they can bring.

“In addition we can give really detailed and thorough factory tours so that they can be assured that all our products are manufactured on-site and are bespoke to the client. We’re acutely aware of the lead-times our commissioners are working to which is why we always aim to meet a four-week delivery time.”

It is anticipated that the extension will be a 12-week build with an official opening in October 2010 when key customers will be invited to see the new addition as well as the products SOS offer.

For more information on SOS or its products and service commitments log onto wwwspecialisedorthoticservices.co.uk or call 01283 812860

Photo caption: Gordon McQuilton, managing director of SOS and Andy Elson, operations director oversee the new build taking shape.