AKW topped off a very successful show at Naidex 2011, the UKs largest disability, rehabilitation and healthcare exhibition, by taking home the prestigious Best in Show award with a five star rating by Able Magazine.
The UKs leader in showering, daily living and kitchen solutions for the elderly, disabled and less able people was given the award for the development of one of its most innovative products, Luda, an industry-first electric care shower, at the event at the Birmingham NEC on 5th,6th and 7th April. This is the first main award that the pioneering Luda shower has received since its launch last year.
Investing four years in the design and development of Luda together with leading specifiers from the sector, AKW took the industry-established standard shower and working with customers designed a number of key features to meet the needs of the care market including led lights and audio recognition for people with visual impairment.
To further build on the success of the Luda shower and to offer greater independence and freedom whilst showering, new for 2011 AKW has developed the LudaTwist, a specially designed fluted grab rail which allows the user to direct shower spray towards or away from them easily on a 180¢ª axis.
The award win coincided with the launch of AKWs Styleability campaign, which communicates the message that style and choice do not have to be a compromise - people can and should be able to create the home of their choice and lead the life they choose.
The campaign includes a new Styleability newsletter which offers readers everything from real life case studies and testimonials to lifestyle advice and tips on bathroom and kitchen planning as well as engaging more closely with customers via social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, which offers followers a chance to share experiences and swap advice as well as the chance to enter exclusive competitions.
CEO of AKW, Paul Massey, said: "I was very impressed by the quality of clients visiting Naidex in 2011 and in particular the confidence they showed in our products, especially in terms of their quality and exciting innovations like the Luda shower.
"We also had very positive comments about the customer service and value for money that AKW provides to its customers. I was delighted by the reaction of customers and the press to the new Styleability campaign, the new company logo and our collaboration with ITN to create a film which demonstrates how people can live more independently with our products.
"We were particularly pleased that the Luda shower won the Best in Show award for innovation and performance with a five star rating."