Friends of BBS Sesame Access Systems, whom we have featured many times due to the elegant way their lifts work for people with mobility issues (see video below), have now won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2016 in the Innovation category. We’re absolutely thrilled that this innovative and stylish invention has got the recognition it deserves.
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Press Release May 2016: Sesame Access was selected for this prestigious award thanks to the world class bespoke stair lifts designed and built to fit properties all over the world. The Sesame system is a specialist system originally designed for historic listed buildings, but has since been installed in modern and historic buildings, with over 100 lifts installed worldwide, including grades I, II & II* properties in England, Grade A listed properties in Scotland and prestigious properties in the Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Qatar and Australia.
The Queen’s Award is the highest UK awards for British businesses. Awards are made on advice of the Prime Minister, and will be conferred by the Queen on her 90th birthday (21st April). The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation recognises UK Companies which demonstrate outstanding innovation and invention in their products.
Sesame designs, builds and installs bespoke wheelchair access lifts for Listed Buildings. At the touch of a button, stairs retract into the building to reveal a platform lift. This enables people in wheelchairs to stylishly and effortlessly access any building without barriers. English Heritage have approved Sesame lifts in many Listed Buildings across the UK. Sesame Access lift at Institution of Civil Engineers, London
Sesame has installed their lifts in the some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including Sydney Opera House, Kensington Palace, Apple stores in Europe, Qatar National Library and Sotheby’s Auction House Paris
The Sesame lifts were invented by Charlie Lyons, a talented inventor and Hydraulic Engineer. The company was founded in 1996. Charlie’s children, Steven and Alison work with Charlie to develop the products and grow the business.
Charlie and Alison have been invited to meet the Queen in Buckingham Palace in July 16.
Charlie Lyons, Chairman said “To win Royal recognition for our Sesame wheelchair lifts is a huge honour. It’s a great reward for all involved in the Company, especially our world class Sesame designers and engineers. It’s a celebration of British Engineering and British Innovation at its best.”
Steven Lyons, Managing Director said “We love working with Architects to develop their design ideas, and turning them into reality using our cutting edge technology. I am extremely proud that my father’s invention not only enables disabled people to access any type of building, but his invention been formally recognised by the Queen and Downing Street. It’s a great legacy for him”
Fiona Jarvis, CEO Blue Badge Style https://bluebadgestyle.com said “Sesame lifts are a stylish way of getting into and out of a buildings without a fuss. When someone has to wheel out a dusty old ramp from the store cupboard to get me into a building, it’s just awful and such an effort. Sesame lifts are a much more elegant way of enabling me to glide into buildings when I am out and about with my friends and colleagues. I applaud Sesame lift’s innovation and style.”
Sesame has significantly grown their business using support from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and Growth Accelerator and the continued support of HSBC Bank.
Lewis Scott, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment South East, said: “I am delighted that Sesame Access has won a Queen’s Award for Innovation and look forward to continuing our work with the company to help them further their international goals. Sesame Access is a fantastic example of a family run company with a great product that is punching well above its weight internationally.
Surrey has so much potential on the international stage and Sesame Access is proof that if you have a great product there will be a market out there for you. I’d urge ambitious South East businesses to look at the Exporting is GREAT website – www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk – to apply for real-time global export opportunities, as well as access expert advice, trade services, training and events. The demand for your product is out there and, just like Sesame Access, you could reap the benefits of exporting and compete for business all over the world.”
Press enquiries to Alison Lyons, Director of Commercial Development 01784 440088 07813 982073 alisonl@sesameaccess.com