R&D chief is new managing director for PLS

Passenger Lift Services (PLS) is a UK leader in the design, manufacture and maintenance of powered lifts and ramps for buses, coaches, ambulances and specialist vehicles.

The company, part of the Mobility Networks group, recently combined its three sites and 50-strong workforce into one 32,500 sq ft site in Summit Crescent under the leadership of new MD Adam Beck.

Adam, aged 41 and originally from Leicestershire, joined the business full time in 1994 following successful completion of an engineering and production degree and a thesis on wheelchair tie-downs.

He had previously worked for PLS as an intern between university term times, through his friendship with fellow kart racing enthusiast Alan Ford – the founder of PLS and a leading industry name.

Adam began his career as development manager working in the R&D department and was instrumental in supporting the introduction of PLS's first, and highly successful, coach cassette lift.

This pioneering solution was a radical new concept in passenger lifts and established a benchmark for competitors to follow.

Under the brand Access, it became the basis for all PLS lift products that evolved to meet wider requirements for accessible vehicle body builders, converters and operators.

In 2001 Adam was promoted to production manager to oversee all manufacturing processes within the business as PLS began to supply greater volumes to the coach industry.

Prior to this PLS had specialised in the minibus market however leading operators such as National Express were then keen to begin installing Access lifts.

Following Adam's involvement in a management buyout during 2004 as Alan Ford retired, he became technical director, responsible for driving which involved further responsibility to drive R&D.

This period in his career focused on PLS's development and launch to market of the world's first fully automatic front entrance coach lift.

Before this innovation, wheelchair passengers were only able to access a coach from a mid-position, locker lift that could not be operated from the driver's seat.

This new lift eliminated the need for the driver to leave his seat and manually load passengers. With full automation from the dashboard, wheelchair passengers could be loaded faster and easier – a major advantage to coach operators.

Manufacturers such as Plaxton and Salvador Caetano began to build coaches that would accommodate this specialist lift and leading operators such as Stagecoach requested multiple orders.

In 2014 PLS continues to be the UK's leading specialist in vehicle access lifts.Adam said: "I am delighted with my promotion to managing director and look forward to the higher level of responsibility it will bring.

"From a strategic point of view, my vision for PLS is to enhance its highly established reputation even further through innovation that continually listens to, and focuses on, the needs of all new and existing customers.

"We will continue to deliver a nimble, flexible approach that can respond quickly to market and legislative changes so challenges associated with weight savings, sustainability and safety are always met.

"PLS is proud of its Midlands-based manufacturing heritage and we all have a passion for excellence in engineering.

"My individual passion began as a boy when building karts to compete at a national level. If your kart was not designed, built and prepared with 100% commitment and impeccable attention to detail, winning was impossible. This background has instilled my constant desire to improve lift designs so they deliver better and better results for customers. Bringing this ethos into the lift world, I believe, sets PLS apart because we are always raising the bar."