KEiBA start-up
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START UP BUSINESS OF
THE YEAR (sponsored by Vertex Law)
Red Alert Telecare,
Ashford
Providing reassuring hi-tech support to the
old and vulnerable has earned Red Alert Telecare a good reputation
among local authorities.
The company, founded in 2007, is a pioneer in
the management, installation, and maintenance of telecare,
telehealth and warden call systems.
With strong Government backing and investment
for keeping vulnerable people in their own home, demand for Red
Alert services has soared in the past two years.
The company, which employs 13 people and seven
sub-contractors, installs sophisticated monitoring equipment to
ensure that these people are never far from a helping hand.
If they have a problem, the equipment triggers
a remote alarm that identifies both the client and the
difficulty.
As well as things like smoke temperature and
flooding, sensors can detect a wide range of untoward events, from
a simple fall to the fact that a vulnerable person has left their
bed or chair and not returned.
Red Alert has met the twin challenges of
understanding the requirements and culture of local authorities, as
well as the needs of vulnerable people.
Public investment in the strategy has
accelerated Red Alert’s growth, winning contracts from Kent County
Council and other county councils, as well as London boroughs and
south east councils.
Company founder Clive Gawler - who also runs
a security company - spotted an opportunity to use his
team’s expertise and technical knowledge to supply this new
rapidly-developing market.
The business is keen to expand the service
nationally and help more councils roll out this life-changing
technology.
The company is taking on an occupational
therapist to assess the potential equipment needs of older and
vulnerable.
The company has a positive attitude to problem
solving, well-trained engineers and strong back-up from a
management team with practical hands-on experience in the field. It
monitors customer satisfaction at all stages.
Red Alert says telecare gives vulnerable
people more confidence and provides peace of mind to relatives and
friends. It also reduces the cost to society of caring for people
in hospital or sheltered accommodation, as well as reducing
pressure on health services and restoring dignity.
“Our Kent base gives the company unbeatable
access to both customers and suppliers and allows the company’s
engineers to be flexible and responsive,” it says. “This has not
only helped the company in its early years but will provide a good
springboard for national expansion.”
Factfile
Winner
Red Alert Telecare Ltd
Location: Ashford
Business Sector: Health support
Key Product/Services: The management,
installation and maintenance of dispersed and scheme-based
telecare, telehealth and warden call systems.
Number of Employees: 13 plus sub
contractors
Established: 2007
Runners-up
Shake Shed Ltd
Location: Canterbury
Business Sector: Retail/catering
Key Product/Services: Takeaway
milkshakes/smoothies/hot chocolate
Number of Employees: 8
Established: October 2007
Optimum Fitness Software
Location: Chatham Maritime
Business Sector: Software and web
development
Key Product/Services: Bespoke software
development and web design fot the health, leisure and retail
industries.
Number of Employees: 4 plus freelancers
Established: February 2006
Thursday, June 25 2009
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