ALLIED Vehicles, the Glasgow-based maker of taxis and wheelchair-accessible cars, is to open a mobility retail outlet on its large Possilpark site as the first step in building what could become a nationwide retail network.
The £750,000 store, branded Mobility Solutions, will offer equipment including wheel chairs, scooters and walking sticks and is a rare example of a company seeking to take on internet retailers with a bricks-and-mortar launch.
Allied's managing director Paul Nelson said: "The retail outlet represents a significant step forward for us in terms of the company's development.
"Mobility Solutions will give customers a chance to touch and try out a wide range of products in-store.
"Many mobility products are only available online: Mobility Solutions will give customers a much-needed alternative."
The 8000 sq ft site will open its doors on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old family company makes 3500 vehicles a year, nearly all of which are adapted for special use.
Mr Nelson said: "We hope to continue our expansion plans with the opening of more shops nationally following the success of this first venture. We are also moving into other types of adapted vehicles to drive the business forward."
The company, which is owned by brothers Gerry and Michael Facenna, posted a turnover of £65.8 million for 2012.
It currently employs about 370 people, most of them based at the firm's 20-acre manufacturing plant in Possilpark.
Mr Nelson said: "We've had a strong start to 2013, posting record monthly sales figures for February and March."
Allied also has a 100-strong rental fleet and recently won the UK-wide replacement vehicles contract for Mobility Operations, catering to those whose vehicles are being repaired, which the company said could lead to a trebling in turnover from its hire division in the next 18 months.
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