13 February 2017
HRH The Duke of Kent KG, visits Woking Business
HRH The Duke of Kent visited Sesame Access Systems Ltd on Tuesday 7th February 2017.
The visit was to celebrate Sesame Access winning The Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2016. The Duke unveiled a specially commissioned plaque to commemorate the visit. The Duke was accompanied by HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux.
The visit was attended by The Mayor of Woking, Cllr Anne Murray, a Chartered Engineer and who has particular interests in technology and innovation. In addition, Sesame’s valued Clients and partners attended the event. These included The Institution of Civil Engineers, Howard de Walden Estate, Blue Badge Style, Department of International Trade and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.
The Duke was introduced to Sesame’s Clients, partners and employees. The Duke was particularly interested in speaking to Sesame’s two Apprentices to see how they were benefitting from Sesame’s Apprenticeship Scheme.
Sesame did a presentation to HRH The Duke of Kent on their product, showing examples of their award winning lifts at Knock Basilica, Co Mayo Ireland, and a private residential property in Edinburgh. The presentation included the Sesame lift at Sydney Opera House. Alison Lyons, Sesame’s Director of Commercial Development explained that, on a conference call with the Sesame Directors, Sydney Opera House stated that they wanted to be the first building in Australia to have a Sesame lift. The was an amazing accolade to hear by a small but innovative Engineering company on the other side of the world!
The presentation included the Blue Badge Style mobile App, website and BBS Galleries, to optimize the commercial opportunities for accessible venues. The presentation also included a live link up to Sesame’s international design team, where they explained how the lifts are designed, innovated and tested using the latest cloud technology.
The visit concluded with a demonstration of a Sesame award winning vertically retracting lift, which will be installed in Leicester Square London.
Steven Lyons, Management Director of Sesame Access said ‘It was an honor for The Duke of Kent to visit our workshop and find out more about our invisible wheelchair lifts. The Duke was very interested in our technology and engineering, and how Sesame is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of disabled accessibility. The Duke was also very supportive of our International Trade achievements, flying the flag for British innovation and Engineering across the world. The visit was a huge boost to our company and is a testament to the talent of our Engineers and Designers.’
Sesame Access Systems Ltd was founded in 1996 by Charlie Lyons, a talented hydraulic engineer and inventor. When Charlie’s son Steven Lyons finished University, father and son built early prototypes and improved the technology. Over the years, Sesame’s technology and innovation has developed into a world class product, with installations in Sydney, Qatar, Germany, France and soon in the USA. Sesame has installed their award winning products in approximately 200 premises across the world, particularly London.
Sesame won the Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2016. Over the years Sesame has worked closely with the Department for International Trade, who have been instrumental in providing advice and expertise for Sesame’s exporting achievements.
For further press information contact Alison Lyons, Director of Commercial Development, Sesame Access Systems Ltd 01784 440088. [email protected]
