Partnership Announcement - Glide brings new technology to Australia
Glide brings Programmable FoamⓇ to Australia
Glide and Create it REAL are delighted to announce a strategic partnership to bring Programmable FoamⓇ technology to Australia. This cutting-edge technology will provide our customers with state-of-the-art, customized wheelchair seating aids, promising a future of enhanced comfort and mobility. Glide already supplies custom CNC carved seating to the Australian market, acquiring an Embrace Seat solution and opening a local 3D print hub marks an exciting milestone in our custom seating journey.
For Glide CEO Peter Green, a local Australian company's dedication to quality and innovation is vital. Integrating 3D print technology into its range of high-quality wheelchair production sets a new benchmark. Peter explains, “People always ask us about new products. We are the biggest local wheelchair manufacturer; many distributors get their inspiration overseas. With this investment, we want to show Australians that we are committed to providing high-end solutions and can deliver them with significantly shorter lead times and unlimited access to customization.”
Everyone has unique needs, different mobility challenges, and personal comfort preferences. This is an important statement from Glide, which understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for wheelchair users. This aligns perfectly with Create it REAL, which has developed a mass customization production solution for seating aids.
Create it REAL CEO Jacob Mølbach Nissen expresses his excitement: “Glide is the perfect partner for a print hub in Australia. We want to offer cutting-edge technology worldwide, and we need ambitious companies to help us achieve this goal. Glide is thoroughly committed to being a frontrunner, and we look forward to introducing 3D-printed seats and cushions with them.”
Rebranding and relocation
The timing is well-chosen for Glide. Since the change in leadership in 2019, the company has focused on modernization and growth, continuing the legacy of innovation and excellence. This culminated in the new 20,132-square-meter facility in Wangara, which includes a showroom, administrative office, R&D center, and manufacturing area. The facility features new technology and lean production processes to enhance efficiency and capacity and will soon house the first SeatMaker in Australia.
The 3D-printed seating aid is made from soft TPU. Compared to traditional foam, the crafting process is additive, which means there is zero waste, and the production is completely dust-free. The material is certified for skin contact from the 3D printer without post-production. Moreover, the seating aids offer a new level of ventilation, hygiene, and pressure distribution. The solution includes the advanced Embrace REALvision software, allowing users to implement multi-hardness into the seating. In other words, the seat or cushion can have soft and hard zones incorporated into the design and 3D printed in the same material.
Glide and Create it REAL look forward to introducing new seating aids in Australia. For further information, please contact Mette Kristensen at mek@createitreal.com or Joy Sarkar at joys@glide.com.au
Above: A new seat being printed at our Wangara complex.
