Maintaining good posture is crucial for our loved ones who spend long hours sitting on a wheelchair.
Posture affects basic functions such as breathing, eating and drinking. If a person is slouching on the wheelchair or slanted to one side, his abdomen will be compressed and this can cause breathing discomfort.
Our series of posture support wheelchairs won the prestigious Good Design Award for its thoughtful design and customisable features. It is an ideal choice for those who need extra support and are looking for a perfectly comfortable experience.
Compact and portable
Tension-adjustable back rest to allow a perfect fit for different spine curvatures.
Removable, height-adjustable arm rests (4 heights) and foot rests (7 heights).
Depending on the user's foot/ankle position, the foot rest can be tilted for improved stability.
Compact and portable
Strong and ultra lightweight due to high grade aluminium alloy structure. No need to struggle with a heavy and bulky wheelchair during transportation.
Foldable back pipes for compact storage in car boot.
Slim profile for easy manoeuvring in tight spaces. No need to worry about bumping into furniture/toilet doors.
Safe and Stable
Parking brakes and drum brakes for secure braking and superior durability. Drum brakes are housed in a casing that prevents the accumulation of moisture and dust. This ensures smooth operation every single time.
User-friendly
Nylon-vinyl cushions are removable and easy to clean.
Adjustable parts are orange-tinted for high visibility. No more fiddling around to locate operational levers/user controls.
The Story
Mr Shigeyuki Matsunaga is the chairman of MATSUNAGA. He founded the company in 1974, at a time where there was a lack of high quality wheelchairs made for the Asian person. Western-made wheelchairs were aplenty, but Mr Matsunaga was acutely aware of their limitations. The average Japanese person has a smaller physical build and a different lifestyle compared to his Western counterpart. Differences such as mode of transportation, type of housing, living environment, and daily activities, can affect the suitability of a wheelchair. After all, to a person with compromised mobility, the wheelchair is an extension of his body and should match his needs as closely as possible.
With this in mind, Mr Matsunaga set out to design high quality wheelchairs that were made specially for Asians, and continues to do so today.
The Quality Process - How is MATSUNAGA different?
MATSUNAGA adopts a total production system. This means that they oversee every stage of their manufacturing process, from sourcing of materials, design to manufacturing and assembling. No detail goes unnoticed and no stone is left unturned in their quality checks.
Many wheelchair manufacturers do not adopt a total production system. They purchase parts and merely assemble them in the factory to form a wheelchair. Such a method makes it difficult to identify the grade of the raw materials used. In addition, the various components will not be a perfect fit thus affecting the quality, comfort and life of the wheelchair.
In contrast, MATSUNAGA keeps every element of their production cycle inhouse and designs every part to fit perfectly with the rest. It is therefore able to uphold their quality processes to the highest standards, with the end-result being a meticulously engineered piece of equipment that is built-to-last.
Examples of high quality
1) Double-Cross Brace
The wheelchair frame holds the wheelchair together. It is therefore crucial that this structure does not wobble or give way over time. To ensure stability and safety, MATSUNAGA wheelchairs come with a double cross-brace for added support. This feature is rarely seen in standard wheelchairs.
2) Superior Welding
In areas where joints are necessary, MATSUNAGA welds the joints with multiple layers. This prevents dust, germs and moisture from being trapped in the joints. It also minimizes the number of exposed screws which may come loose.
3) Customized Structure
Most wheelchairs are made up of generic straight metal rods joint to one another using screws. Each joint represents a weak spot, allowing dust, germs, and moisture to be trapped. Over time, especially in humid conditions, the screws will rust, causing the joints to loosen and the wheelchair to weaken. MATSUNAGA produces customised metal rods that fit perfectly with other wheelchair parts, thereby minimizing the need for joints and screws. The end-product is therefore sturdy and durable.
5) Drum Brakes
Many of the MATSUNAGA’s wheelchairs come with drum brakes which are the type of brakes that you find in a car. These brakes are contained in a protective housing to prevent dust and moisture from getting in. They also provide a more secure brake as compared to regular scissor brakes. The drum brakes are connected to the handle bars, giving the caregiver better control when pushing the wheelchair down a slope.
5) High-Grade Aluminum Alloy
MATSUNAGA sources for their own metal and uses a high grade of aluminum alloy that is resistant against corrosion. In contrast, brands which do not have control or knowledge of their raw materials may use lower grade aluminum alloys that contain recycled metal. These metals may rust and result in breakage over time.
In conclusion, MATSUNAGA wheelchairs offer users a peace of mind. It is because of this sheer dedication to perfection and their reputation for premium quality that MATSUNAGA is the largest wheelchair manufacturer in Japan today.