Autochair's story

Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say, and when engineer David Walker was paralysed in an accident in 1975, he wanted to find a way to get to work without having to rely on someone else to load and unload his wheelchair from the boot of his car.

  • 1983 The first Autochair is born
  • 1985 One of our first customers
  • 1985 Colour coded to their vehicle
  • 1988 Next generation Autochair
  • 1988 An early Milford Person lift user
  • 1989 The Milford is launched
  • 1990 Mobility scooter being hoisted into a vehicle by the original steel mini-hoist
  • 1990 Early user of the original wall bracket
  • 2012 Motability Adaptation Supplier of the Year Award

Finding that there was nothing suitable on the market, David decided to invent his own solution, eventually developing a mechanism that hoisted his chair into a box on the roof of his car by 1979. Impressed, other people asked him to make a similar product for them and demand was so strong, David was able to put his idea into production in 1983. Autochair was born.

Over the next few years David steadily grew the company, increasing the range of products, moving into new and bigger premises and bringing his three sons on board, changing the lives of thousands of people along the way.

Autochair is now based in a state-of-the-art £2m factory and is a global leader in the design, manufacture and installation wheelchair hoists, people lifts and other driving aids – and all because its founder wanted to find a way to lead a more independent life.

Autochair today

We've come a long way since 1983

Winner of the 2012 Motability Supplier Awards

Our blend of innovation, ambition and customer care was praised by a panel of judges as they announced us worthy winners of the prestigious Motability 2012 Supplier of the Year Award.

Royal recognition for Autochair founder

It was a proud day for everyone at Autochair when our founder, David Walker, received an OBE from the Queen in October 2014 in recognition of his services to people with disabilities.

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Autochair's UK-wide dealer network

From the tip of Cornwall to the top of Scotland, Autochair’s nationwide network of dealers are on hand to discuss your requirements with you at a time and date that is most convenient to you.

Autochair celebrates 30 years of manufacturing

The Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, celebrated 30 years of UK manufacturing and raising awareness for disabled motorists when he opened our brand-new purpose built factory for vehicle adaptations.

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