This article is a tie-up with the Niigata Prefecture Federation of Small Business Associations and Manufacturing Support Centre.

Numerous attractive companies are active in Niigata Prefecture. This section picks up 'Change Leaders' who create new value by 'changing themselves positively'.

The 12th edition of Custom Select develops welfare vehicles using know-how from the manufacture and sale of campervans. It proposes a method of attaching care aids to the vehicle of your choice at a later date, giving everyone the freedom to choose their own vehicle.

Supporting car life by staying on top of the symptoms of disability.

If a family member needs care, what kind of vehicle will they need? In Japan today, it is common to buy a dedicated welfare vehicle equipped with wheelchair ramps and wheelchair retractors. In Europe, however, the most common method is to retrofit a private car with the necessary care aids. With this method, even luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz can be used as welfare vehicles.

Custom Select, a campervan company, entered the welfare sector with the idea that people can enjoy car life regardless of their disability if they convert their favourite car into a welfare vehicle. The company has started a service to convert ordinary cars into welfare vehicles by purchasing retrofit care assistive devices from overseas. The company utilised a Monozukuri (manufacturing) subsidy* to build an exhibition car fitted with a typical care assistive device, saying, 'Let's give people a chance to see the real thing before they buy it. A total of six types of devices were installed, including a device that becomes like a wheelchair when the car seat is replaced with wheels, and a device that allows the accelerator and brake to be operated by hand, so that visitors can actually experience their operation.

Monozukuri subsidy... Common name for a project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency to support capital investment, etc. that contributes to improving production capacity.

In the course of our business, we realised that the symptoms of disability vary from person to person, and that only a limited number of people can use welfare-specific vehicles as they are. Retrofitting, which can be customised to suit the symptoms of disability, can help riders to enjoy a comfortable car life. We will first strive to solve the small issues at hand so that society can be a place where the elderly and disabled can enjoy their car life more by being able to move freely when they want to.

Change1 / To ensure that people continue to use their favourite cars, we have partnered with other companies that deal with parts from overseas.

Welfare vehicles are often associated with large vehicles used in nursing homes. However, if it becomes possible to retrofit care aids, you can travel whenever you want in the vehicle of your choice. This is why Custom Select has partnered with specialist suppliers who purchase parts from overseas. This helps us in terms of sharing know-how, for example, by providing detailed information when we inquire about unclear points.

Smooth installation with careful explanation by the supplier.

Change2/ Develop exhibitors who can experience the actual riding experience.

The equipment was installed in a display vehicle so that people can actually experience what the product is like before installing the care assistive device in their own car. Test drives of the completed display vehicle were highly positive in many areas, such as checking the operation during transfers and recognising the agility of the brakes. Customers are now able to positively consider installing the equipment. In 2016, the company also exhibited at the Niigata BIZ EXPO at the invitation of the Central Association. In the same year, the company was also included in the 'Casebook of Monozukuri Subsidy Achievements' published by the Central Association.

3D CAD software purchased with a manufacturing grant.

Drawings can now be stored as data.

Change3 / Expanding the trade area by responding to special requirements

A customer in Hiroshima Prefecture once asked for a car with a black leather interior that could be transferred in a wheelchair. It sounds simple, but leather upholstery is the work of an interior decorator and is not originally within the scope of our business. However, Custom Select's experience in campervan conversions means that we not only install equipment, but also handle the interior. Subsidies and insurance advice are also available. Because of the reassurance of being able to solve issues at once, we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from outside the prefecture.

• Knowledge of campervan manufacturing.
• Active in the installation of care aids.
• Welfare vehicles also converted from campervans.
• do the same.

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Continue to run your business while taking care of the customers in front of you

The most important thing for a welfare business is to continue. To achieve this, it is important to secure a reasonable profit. Before I started my business, a chairman related to people with disabilities said to me. 'There are many people like Mr Sakuma who come to me with their business cards saying they are going to start this kind of service. But in most cases, they quit after a few years because they can't make a profit. Please, please continue with a profit". In reality, it can be hard work, but thankfully we have many opportunities to be introduced to customers, and we feel that we are helped by those around us. We want to continue our business while valuing these customers.

Hitoshi Sakuma, Representative Director

Product pick-up 'Installation of care aids'.

There are only a few companies in the country that offer a wide range of services for welfare vehicles, from installation of care aids to interior design and knowledge of subsidies and insurance. Even if you don't know where to start, please contact us.

Company profile

Custom Select Ltd.

Established in 1990 as a campervan manufacturing and sales company. In 2001, the company entered the welfare vehicle manufacturing and sales business. Currently, the company offers comprehensive solutions to customers, from the installation of care aids to the interior design and confirmation of subsidies. The company customises equipment to suit the customer and aims to manufacture easy-to-use vehicles.

Address: 1472-10, Shoei-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata City.

TEL : 025-250-0054

HP:http://www.custom-select.com/