27 Wheelchair Lifts To Be Installed in 9 Stations
Laval, Quebec, September 20, 2012 – Savaria (TSX:SIS), a North American leader in the accessibility industry, is pleased to announce it has secured a major project on Hainan Island, China to install 27 wheelchair lifts throughout the East Railway Line’s high speed train stations. The value of the project exceeds $600,000 USD in equipment.
Twenty seven Savaria Omega curved inclined platform lifts will be installed in the fall of 2012 providing easy access for wheelchair passengers using rail to travel throughout the popular tourist destination of Hainan Island. The units will be built in Savaria’s Huizhou factory and will be installed in 9 stations.
“The Hainan line was built to make the popular tropical island accessible to thousands of tourists every day. Now, the island will be even more accessible to those with mobility challenges. We are very pleased to have been chosen for this project”, said Sebastien Bourassa, President Savaria Huizhou.
The Savaria Omega inclined platform lift features a space-saving folding platform that safely carries a wheelchair passenger by travelling on a guiderail that is securely attached to the stairs. For this project, the lifts will be finished in stainless steel offering a modern look that complements the beautiful architecture of the award winning railway system.
About the Hainan East Railway
Opened officially in January 2011, the 300 kilometer line services the popular tourist island of Hainan. The 8-car train travels up to 250 km per hour and links the capital city of Haikou in the north to Sanya at the southern end of the province. The train takes just over 80 minutes to travel between these 2 major cities, half the time it would take by car. The cost to build the line has been estimated at $3 billion and it took 3 years to complete. A second west line is planned to be built to further service the island.
Savaria Corporation (savaria.com) is a North American leader in the accessibility industry focused on meeting the needs of people with mobility challenges. Savaria designs, manufactures and distributes primarily elevators for home and commercial use, as well as stairlifts and vertical and inclined platform lifts. In addition, it converts and adapts wheelchair accessible automotive vehicles and offers scooters and motorized wheelchairs. The diversity of its product line, one of the world’s most comprehensive, enables the Corporation to stand out by proposing an integrated and customized solution for its customers’ mobility needs. Its operations in China have substantially grown since 2006 and the collaboration with Savaria’s other Canadian facilities increases its competitive edge in the market place. The Corporation records slightly over 50% of its sales outside Canada, primarily in the United States. It has a sales network of some 600 retailers in North America and employs close to 400 people at its head office in Laval and at its plants in Montreal (Quebec), Brampton and London (Ontario), Calgary (Alberta) and Huizhou (China).
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