From a small garage in Ryde to a 13-strong team in Newport, Isle of Wight firm Island Mobility is celebrating 60 years in business – now under the helm of the third generation of the Horton family.
The long-standing business, which was founded by George Horton back in 1965, started out with just 4 staff in a garage on Monkton Street. Now, the well-respected family firm is the Isle of Wight’s largest independent mobility supplier.
George’s son, Rob, joined the business in 1979, and it’s now Rob’s son, Marcus, who is leading Island Mobility into a new era, supported by his partner, Ellen and general manager Tom.
The couple manage the day-to-day operations from their base at Dodnor Industrial Estate in Newport.
Rob and his wife Julie have grown the company steadily over the decades, with 1,000’s of local satisfied customers.
The company relocated to Dodnor in 2004 and is now employing 13 members of staff. It continues to be known for its great staff retention and strong local ties, including multigenerational employment both within and outside the Horton family.
Former employee ‘Dougie’ worked in the business for 55 years, starting at the tender age of just 15 and retiring in his 70s. Andy, Head Technician, is the son of another former worker, Ray.
Island Mobility has shifted from being entirely government-funded in its early days, repairing disabled trikes and wheelchairs. It inherited the local wheelchair contract for local hospitals that continued for over half a century from the end of World War II.
Nowadays, the business predominantly works with private clients across the Island. In recent years, it has expanded its product offering to include smart riser reclining chairs, profiling beds, stairlifts, homelifts and mobility scooters and more.
Speaking to Island Echo, Rob Horton – who has recently retired from the company – has said:
“As a company we take great pride in our customer service and quality of workmanship.”
The company install numerous Homelifts and stairlifts, including rapid-response installations on hire stairlifts for customers returning home from hospital.
Looking ahead, Marcus is determined to keep Islanders at the heart of Island Mobility’s mission. He said:
“We aim to keep prioritising Island residents as much as possible and continue to go the extra mile with the service we provide. We also want to develop the site further, so that future customers can try out a larger variety of lifts and mobility aids to help them consider their options.”
“Our focus is on keeping clients independent. People want to stay in their own homes”.
When asked why Islanders should choose Island Mobility over a national company, Marcus replied:
“We pride ourselves on our aftercare, which is second to none. Our technicians are on call 7 days a week for our growing hire fleet.
“While a mainland company may be initially cheaper, they won’t necessarily come the same day if anything goes wrong. But we’ll always strive to be there the very same day.”
Congratulations just what the island needs
with an elderly population.
Keep up the good work, here’s to the next
60 years.