The winner of Venturefest North West’s top Innovation Showcase award reveals that simplicity is the key to their success.
Reach and Rescue, a company based in Wigan, secured the overall award at Venturefest North West 2018, an event held at Manchester Central that attracted hundreds of attendees. The company has developed a 17-metre versatile rescue pole, now used by 80 per cent of the UK’s fire and emergency services, and is available in over 30 countries worldwide. The device operates under the tagline ‘reaching out to save lives’.
Company director Sean Burke attributed their victory to the straightforward nature of their invention. ‘There are a lot of amazing tech innovations out there, but I don’t understand half of them. Often they’re not presented correctly but are actually really cool,’ he remarked. ‘We took an idea and made it very simple, very easy to use and distilled down a really important thing that’s needed to rescue people from the water, which didn’t exist before this.’
According to Burke, the product’s appeal lies in its human element and ease of use. It is effective, affordable, and accessible to a diverse range of users, making it possible to learn its operation in just ten minutes. Furthermore, its application spans multiple industries and countries.
Burke expressed his delight at receiving recognition from the judges, reflecting on the positive trajectory the company has experienced over the past seven years. He noted that they remain the sole manufacturers of this product globally, having secured strong protection for their invention, and leveraging the latest advancements in carbon fibre technology. This has resulted in a product that is both unbreakable and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Looking ahead, Reach and Rescue plans to adapt the core technology for various other sectors, including surveillance, security, border control, and the military. Burke emphasised that the successful integration of carbon fibre technology has been instrumental in these developments.
Technological advancements are significantly transforming the search and rescue field, with innovations such as monitoring systems, sensors, and performance enhancement tools becoming more prevalent across various industries. Burke praised the increasing role of technology in this sector, describing it as a remarkable shift from the industry’s traditional practices.
During the event, Corporation Pop was awarded for its Xploro mobile app, which uses 3D augmented reality interactive models and games to reduce stress and anxiety for children entering hospitals. Rochdale’s Whitham Mills Engineering received recognition for its food waste tipping solution, while Urban Chain was honoured for its blockchain-based platform aimed at facilitating instant energy deal switches for consumers. Telcom’s Doug Ward triumphed with Node technology, which connects landlords and tenants. Other notable finalists included Fulfilment Crowd, Call Me Help, Clyz Labs, Million Stars Sustainable Events, Radic8, and Redman Racing Boats.
Reach and Rescue’s success at Venturefest North West 2018 underscores the power of simplicity and innovation in addressing vital needs. By focusing on user-friendly and effective design, the company has set a benchmark in the search and rescue industry.