Demand

What Demand does

DEMAND Design & Manufacture for Disability is a UK-registered charity (Charity No 1008128) founded in 1980 by Lady Claire Renton, operating workshops in Hertfordshire (Abbots Langley) and Yorkshire with a contact address in London. The organization designs, modifies, and manufactures bespoke disability equipment for individuals whose needs are unmet by off-the-shelf products, spanning mobility aids (custom trikes, walking frames, wheelchair bike trailers), therapeutic devices (Sensory Shell Chairs, therapy cars, arm supports), accessible play equipment (wheelchair-accessible play kitchens, accessible board games), and adaptive sporting equipment (Boccia competition ramps, canoe and bell boat seats, horse mounting steps). Supporting services include an Equipment Advice Service to direct users toward suitable off-the-shelf items, an Equipment Assessment Service for community equipment providers, and a Repair and Refurbishment Service for schools, care organizations, and community stores. DEMAND is MHRA-registered as a manufacturer and applies risk-assessed, standards-compliant processes across the design-to-fabrication lifecycle.

The business model is donation-led and hybrid: approximately 75% of income derives from voluntary donations, supplemented by revenue from product sales through the demandequipment.com online shop, paid refurbishment and assessment services to organizations with equipment budgets, and corporate sponsorship via the Corporate Partner Network. The core Custom Design Service is provided at no cost to individuals regardless of financial circumstances, while organizations are quoted on a project basis; pricing for retail products is contact-based and not publicly listed. Go-to-market is community-led: DEMAND depends on referrals from NHS occupational therapists, community equipment services, schools, and families, amplified through social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest), an email newsletter, fundraising events, and recurring corporate partnerships. Notable customer engagements include Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden-funded Sensory Shell Chairs at The Collett School, custom equipment for Medical Detection Dogs' cancer screening research, accessibility equipment for Electric Umbrella's pop-opera performances, and adaptive water sport seats for Herts Disability Sports Hub. The leadership team comprises CEO Gary Evans, Fundraising Manager Denise Gillies, and founder Lady Claire Renton, with a wider team of designers and engineers delivering a typical custom project turnaround of two to fourteen weeks.

Name

Demand

Legal name

DEMAND Design and Manufacture for Disability

Website

https://demand.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DEMAND is a UK-registered charity that designs, modifies, and manufactures bespoke disability equipment — mobility aids, sensory therapy devices, adaptive sporting goods, and accessible play equipment — for individuals whose needs are unmet by standard products, alongside paid refurbishment and assessment services for organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Disability Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391), Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance (811490)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Seating & Positioning Systems (Cushions, Backs, Pressure Relief) (HLAHAMAB)

Keywords

• Custom disability equipment
• Assistive device manufacturing
• Mobility aids design
• Accessible play equipment
• Therapeutic equipment solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Abbots Langley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Donations: Primary revenue source comprising approximately 75% of income. Donations from individuals, families, and supporters fund the custom design service provided free to individuals.
2. Product Sales: Sale of disability equipment including Boccia ramps, sensory chairs, and standardized versions of custom designs. Revenue supports charitable activities.
3. Refurbishment Services: Equipment assessment and refurbishment services for community stores, care organizations, and schools. Also includes recycling donated equipment.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship agreements with businesses through Corporate Partner Network, providing PR, marketing, and networking opportunities in exchange for support.
5. Organization Charges: Fees charged to organizations including other charities and schools that have access to equipment budgets or fundraising campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DEMAND designs and manufactures bespoke disability equipment tailored to the specific physical needs of individuals with disabilities when standard off-the-shelf products are unavailable or unsuitable. The charity provides a free Custom Product Design Service to individuals, supplemented by Equipment Advice, Equipment Assessment, Service and Repair, and Working with Organisations offerings. Standardised products including Boccia ramps, Sensory Shell Chairs, accessible play kitchens, art easels, and mobility aids are sold through the DEMAND Equipment online shop.

Product overview

DEMAND offers custom design and manufacture services for disability equipment, operating as a charitable organization rather than a technology platform. Their core offering is a bespoke Custom Product Design Service that creates individualized equipment solutions when standard products are unavailable or unsuitable. Supporting services include Equipment Advice, Equipment Assessment, Service and Repair, and Working with Organisations for paid B2B projects. They also sell standardized products through their online shop, including Boccia equipment for paralympic sport. Their product portfolio spans mobility equipment (custom trikes, walking frames, wheelchair accessories), therapeutic equipment (sensory chairs, therapy cars), accessible play equipment (play kitchens, board games), assistive technology (communication aids, arm supports), and specialist sporting equipment (horse mounting steps, canoe seats). The organization is MHRA registered as a manufacturer and does not offer public APIs or AI-powered features.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DEMAND Equipment: Online shop platform for specialist disability products, available at demandequipment.com

Products and services

• Custom Product Design Service Bespoke design and manufacture of custom equipment for individuals with disabilities, creating solutions tailored to specific needs when standard equipment is unavailable or unsuitable. The service is provided free to individuals regardless of financial circumstances and includes home assessments, measurements, and iterative design consultations.
• Equipment Advice Service Expert guidance from DEMAND's experienced team to help people find the best off-the-shelf equipment on the market to meet their needs, or to use such equipment as a starting point for customised solutions.
• Equipment Assessment Service Stock assessment service for equipment providers, identifying items suitable for refurbishment and re-use. Service fee depends on travel time and on-site time and is offered to community stores, care organisations, and schools.
• Service and Repair Equipment servicing, maintenance, and manufacture of replacement parts for community stores, care organisations, and schools. Keeps equipment in excellent working order and supports recycling of donated equipment.
• Working with Organisations Paid services for organisations including other charities, schools, and care providers that have access to specialist equipment budgets or fundraising campaigns. Bespoke projects commissioned by organisations that need adapted equipment for their programmes, residents, or service users.
• Products for Sale (DEMAND Equipment Online Shop) Standardised versions of custom designs developed for larger-scale production and sale through the DEMAND Equipment online shop (demandequipment.com), including disability equipment and specialist sporting goods. Revenue supports charitable activities.
• Boccia Equipment Range of Boccia ramps designed for players at all competition levels, including modifications for individual player needs. Suitable for the Paralympic sport of Boccia at recreational through to competitive levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped over 4600 people in 2015
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Electric UmbrellacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to create the Dream Machine - a fantastical flying wheelchair that writes songs inspired by dreams - for Electric Umbrella's pop-opera performance 'I am the Dream Machine' directed by Max who has Down syndrome.
• PYC UpholsteryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Provided time and expertise to create the custom red seat for Jack's Yoshi all-terrain wheelchair transporter, completing the design transformation.
• Warner Bros. Studios LeavesdencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Major sponsorship of £5,000 from Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden enabled DEMAND to produce 5 additional Sensory Shell Chairs for The Collett School, supporting students with sensory processing disorders.
• Medical Detection DogscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008DEMAND collaborated with Medical Detection Dogs researchers to build a carousel with 8 sample sniffing stations that reduced time for cancer detection research using sniffer dogs. Equipment enables vital early cancer detection research.
• Gundula StevensminorOthersRetired Occupational Therapist and old friend of DEMAND who facilitated the Abu scoot seat project by liaising with local craftsmen in Bangladesh to manufacture the equipment based on DEMAND's design drawings.
• StreetbikesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKirklees, West Yorkshire organization committed to getting everyone cycling regardless of physical abilities. DEMAND refurbished and donated 5 accessible bikes for their mixed ability cycling sessions.
• Herts Disability Sports HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEMAND produces custom boat seats and canoe equipment for adaptive water sports at Stanborough Park, enabling paddlers who cannot sit unaided to participate in bell boat and canoe activities.
• Imagine Estate Agent GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWatford-based estate agent group whose staff have fundraised extensively including bungee jumps, skydives, and bake sales to support DEMAND's work.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Permobil: Global manufacturer of powered wheelchairs, seating, and assistive technology serving complex disability needs, with far greater scale and distribution than DEMAND.
• Sunrise Medical: Global mobility and seating manufacturer (Quickie, JAY, Leckey pediatric ranges) covering manual/powered wheelchairs and pediatric assistive devices — broad incumbent overlapping DEMAND's mobility equipment.
• Etac: Nordic-headquartered global mobility and assistive-device group (parent of R82, Molift, Convaid), offering pediatric rehab, seating, and mobility products — a broad incumbent covering categories DEMAND addresses bespoke.
• Theraposture: UK-based commercial specialist in bespoke adjustable care equipment (beds, chairs, assistive devices) for disabled users; overlaps with DEMAND's custom-equipment niche but operates on a commercial model.

Direct peers

• Remap: UK-registered charity that designs, makes, and adapts custom equipment for people with disabilities, very closely matching DEMAND's bespoke manufacturing mission through volunteer engineers and a national network of panels.
• Designability: UK charity that designs and makes assistive products (e.g., the Wizzybug powered wheelchair), combining bespoke design with productionized assistive devices for disabled children and adults — directly comparable custom-design charity model.
• Whizz-Kidz: UK charity providing mobility equipment (wheelchairs, powered chairs) to disabled children and young people, with similar nonprofit funding structure and direct beneficiary service model.
• Cerebra: UK charity supporting children with neurological conditions, including custom-equipment lending, advice, and innovation programs — overlaps DEMAND's mission of tailoring solutions to individual disability needs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DEMANDCharity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DEMANDCHARITY/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/DEMANDCharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/demand-design-and-manufacture-for-disability
• Pinterestuk.pinterest.com/DEMANDcharity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Demand