Evac+Chair International, the Solihull-based manufacturer known as the original maker of the evacuation chair, has been named a finalist in The Purpose Beyond Profit Award at the 2026 Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
Founded in 1982, the company describes itself as the global leader in emergency evacuation solutions, with the aim that nobody is left behind in an emergency.
The Purpose Beyond Profit Award recognises businesses whose mission extends beyond the bottom line, and the company’s stated purpose is to enable the efficient and dignified evacuation and transfer of people with reduced mobility, temporary injuries, invisible disabilities and other access barriers.
British manufacturing, global reach
Headquartered in Solihull, Birmingham, the business designs and manufactures its products in the UK using locally sourced components. It reports offering the industry’s largest range of evacuation solutions, supplying manual and powered evacuation chairs, transfer chairs, evacuation mats and accessories through partners in more than 70 countries, complemented by training and maintenance services across the UK.
Its customers span every sector where buildings with stairs demand safe, compliant and inclusive evacuation, from healthcare, education and transport to workplaces, hospitality and public buildings. Alongside its products, the firm offers complimentary evacuation assessments, training and maintenance to help organisations meet their legislative responsibilities, including duties placed in England and Wales on the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, published by legislation.gov.uk.
Innovation with inclusion in mind
Innovation remains central to the company’s claim to market leadership. In 2025 it launched Evac Xpert™, which it describes as the industry’s first digital evacuation assessment tool, helping organisations identify inclusive evacuation solutions. Its Evac+Power 1000H offers what the business reports is the world’s highest payload capacity for a powered evacuation chair, enabling the safe evacuation of a wider range of individuals while reducing manual handling. The Voyager® range supports dignified passenger transfer across aviation, maritime and rail environments. The company also cites its expertise, British manufacturing, award-winning research and development, customer-led innovation and quality assurance as the qualities that set it apart.
Purpose earning recognition
Beyond commercial success, the business says it is helping to shape inclusive emergency evacuation. Its award-winning Risky Business whitepaper highlighted gaps in evacuation planning, according to the company, raising awareness of inclusive emergency preparedness and the need for improved education and accountability. The firm reports that this commitment has driven growth, international expansion and high customer satisfaction, alongside accolades including West Midlands Medium Business of the Year and the Accessibility in Action award at the 2025 Birmingham Business Awards.
A finalist place at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards adds national recognition to that list. As the original manufacturer of the evacuation chair, the company says it sets the benchmark for inclusive emergency evacuation through pioneering innovation and a commitment to improving preparedness, helping people evacuate safely, efficiently and with dignity. Further details are available on the Evac+Chair website.
