Alfred Bekker

Alfred Bekker is the oldest private and most versatile Mobility Company in the world and since 1975 has been recognized as the leader in our Industry.

Alfred Bekker, the founder of the company was a native of Holland and was well known in the British Motor Industry before venturing into the disabled drivers' world.

In 1976 he shook many a foundation by training 58 wheelchair users to install hand controls and creating a UK network of mobile fitters with the mottos 'Do not come to us we come to you' and 'You do not expect to pay more for a match to light a Havana cigar than you would pay for a match to light a woodbine; reason why Bekker hand controls all had the same price ticket of £29.50, be it an Austin Mini or a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow'.

Many of his mobile fitters were celebrated world champion wheelchair athletes who not only provided Alfred with lots of useful information, which they collect when competing abroad, they also actively tested all his innovation in the field and put Alfred wise of what was right and what was wrong. (Some fitters branched out and set up their own business, but they still treat Alfred as their Mentor and continue copying his designs).

The hub of all activity was a converted farm, slaughter house, butcher shop and stables with a well stocked bas as the Assessment Centre, in the sleepy Yorkshire Wolds village of Langtoft. Many activities, now taken for granted, found their origin at "Alf's Place" as it was christened, with frequent overseas visitors from as far as Japan, Australia, Middle East and the USA.

In 1981 Alfred converted his first heavy goods vehicle to enable a paraplegic from Leicester to obtain his heavy goods license and to start his own haulage business.

In 1989 he was the first in Europe to convert Chrysler Voyagers into Drive from Wheelchair and opened his 80,000 sq ft ONE STOP SHOP in Driffield. This was destroyed by fire in 1999, but replaced by an even better one. At the same time adding comfortable wheelchair friendly overnight accommodation for the benefit of his customers. Another practical Alfred touch.

Alfred did not believe in standing still and formed the Alfred Bekker API company in the Czech Republic, where, in partnership with Miroslav Bartos, rear wheelchair entry conversions in kit form for Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, VW and Ford are designed and manufactured with a range of automatic wheelchair-scooter loaders, lifts, hoists and platform carriers.

Until his death in June 2009, Alfred was still the driving force behind the company with his daughter Carla. Now, the company is run by Carla, who is greatly assisted by Mick, Mike and Chris, not forgetting Wool in the hand control department. All of them have been with him from the early days and between then have an unequalled knowledge of what works and is cost effective.

In a recent survey it was found that 97% of sales are a combination of repeat business and recommendation. We are still aiming for 100%.