A MAJOR 200,000 euro order to export an innovative new type of patient hoist to Norway has been won by a Wetherby-based firm.

The order, won by Innova Care Concepts, a specialist division of Yorkshire Care Equipment, of Harrogate, is to supply a series of Integralifts to a Norwegian distributor supplying the healthcare sector.

The breakthrough follows the sale of 200 Integralifts in the UK and further orders to the Czech Republic, Australia and France before Innova Care Concepts sought exporting advice from overseas trade specialist Chamber International.

Integralift differs from most common patient hoists used in hospitals, care homes and hospices in that it is not a trolley on wheels and does not need overhead tracking.

Instead the product operates with a hoist on an arm, which folds away into a cupboard, which can be made to match other furniture in the room, so people have the assistance they need but the space they require when it is not in use.

Tom Hulbert, Innova Care Concepts and Yorkshire Care Equipment managing director, said: “Chamber International has been very helpful and has initially given us contacts in British embassies to facilitate local support and contacts overseas.

“Some of the Chamber International export courses will also be useful to us as we develop overseas sales.”

Chamber International export adviser David Attia said: “Innova Care Concepts’ instinctive understanding that they should visit overseas markets to research healthcare equipment needs is already opening doors for them and we look forward to helping the business grow its overseas sales in line with Integralift’s considerable potential.”

Chamber International, which has a presence in York, helps hundreds of new and experienced exporters with a wide range of specialist services to make exporting easier and more cost-effective each year.