Our Story
A1 Wheelchair services Team
Previous Owner and Company Director, Brent Lane’s genuine desire to help people led to his decision to acquire the company in 2007.
In 2023 A1 Wheelchair Services joined the Medifab family, representing a strategic alignment of two pioneering companies in the Assistive Technology industry, with a shared commitment to improving lives and enhancing independence for all New Zealanders.
Medifab are now the exclusive suppliers of Magic Mobility All-Terrain Powered Electric Wheelchairs and DAESSY Mounting Systems leaving A1 Wheelchair Services to specialise and increase customer service excellence with its services.
Its team of technicians and staff all have a passion for the industry, an excellent understanding of disability issues and are committed to providing and improving quality services and products that improve peoples lives and love doing it.
We stand by our workmanship and products and strive to achieve excellence and the most economical solution for our clients.
A1 Wheelchair Services has comprehensive guidelines, policies and procedures in place to achieve and maintain excellence, quality, friendly and efficient services - making your life easier.
Meet the team
Each person at A1 Wheelchair Services has brought their own experience, talents and great sense of humour.
They are all in this job to help people, which is very rewarding but not always easy and can be demanding. They work hard and step in to help each other where they can, and they all realise how important the equipment is to their clients.
I am really proud of our work family, we have a great team and an enjoyable work environment.
— Judy
Judy Wallace - General Manager
As General Manager Judy keeps the business in line - or tries to she says. She is enthusiastic, thorough and loves to help people. Judy has been in the industry for 18 years and has gained a broad knowledge of the industry during this time but says you never stop learning. Outside of work she dotes on her two beautiful dogs - Mille and Lunar, her grandchildren and grand puppies. She loves to travel and learn about other cultures and countries.
Simon Caseley - Workshop Manager
Simon came to A1 Wheelchair Services in early 2023 with a wealth of experience in various industries including 22 years in the RNZAF. Simon is very knowledgeable, easy-going and supports our team really well. He enjoyed learning the ins & outs of all the various types of disability equipment and enjoys the interaction with the clients. Out of work you will mainly find him doing DIY work around his home or spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren & the pooch - Shadow.
Janelle Grice - Administration/Reception/Customer Happiness Specialist
Janelle is the voice of A1. She is bubbly, caring, easy talk to and loves to make your day. Janelle supports our Team, Clients, Carers, Therapists & Suppliers with their everyday needs & enquiries, she has been in this role for over ten years and loves helping people. When Janelle is outside of work, she enjoys the simple things in life, her partner, family, friends & the enjoyment of her home.
Derek Rolfe - Disability Equipment Technician
Derek has over 11 years of experience as a Disability Equipment Technician and has extensive knowledge and skills which we turn to often. Outside of work Derek enjoys relaxing and dotes on his cat ‘Tus’.
Michael Whalley - Disability Equipment Technician
Michael joined the A1 team in 2022 and very quickly picked up all the skills and knowledge needed to become a great Technician. Michael has a hidden skill at being an artist and outside of work he also enjoys the great outdoors.
Elizabeth Rogan - Annual Service Technician
Elizabeth enjoys her role of Annual Service Technician and loves the clients. She is kind and caring and a very valued member of our team. She’s usually fairly quiet but is a mischievous trickster! She enjoys her A1 work family and loves to play tricks on them. Outside of work her interests are motorbikes, her husband, five adult children,10 grandchildren and her beautiful dog Molly.
Darryn Richardson - Disability Equipment Technician
Darryn is a scream. He is very funny but keeps a solemn face to trick us all. He is very quick witted. Darryn has brought considerable skills to the team and fits like a glove. He too loves helping people. Outside of work Darryn has been involved with music most of his life and has been in and out of bands since he can remember, mainly doing vocal but also playing the guitar. Darryn and his wife have a beautiful dog Maisy.
Rob Defire - Disability Equipment Technician
Rob is a quieter one, very pleasant and very skilled. Rob has had over 40 years in the bicycle repair industry including e- bikes. He is an extremely fast learner and very efficient. Bringing his many skills he took to the disability repair industry like duck to water. Outside of work Rob enjoys four wheel driving and riding motorcycles and spending time outdoors with his partner, and his 4 legged pals- Keisha and Ralphy.
Lucan Johnson - Disability Equipment Technician
Lucan too is a man of many talents, having vast experience in many trades he has joined our team hitting the ground running with many skills to offer and really enjoys his job. Lucan is into anything out doors from hunting and fishing to camping, surfing and motorbikes. Lucan is married with two children, two grandchildren and a dog called Rocky.
Dafydd Hughes - Disability Equipment Technician
Dafydd came to us with excellent experience having worked for a number of years commissioning, servicing, repairing and providing training on disability equipment. Dafydd is proud of his Welsh heritage — his name is pronounced 'Daa-vith' (The 'dd' in Dafydd is pronounced like the 'th' in ‘with’) — but he has spent half his life living and working in New Zealand, first in Christchurch and then in Palmerston North.Outside work Dafydd is heavily involved in the life of his church; he also enjoys reading and DIY projects when he gets the time. Dafydd is married and has two adult children and three cats - Patty, Pet and Black-Cat.