When you live off-grid in a Wiltshire forest with four children, two dogs and three miles of dirt track between you and the outside world, every decision about your vehicle matters. For Laurie Timpson, founder of Savernake Knives, the answer to fitting his growing family into a single car wasn’t buying something bigger. It was fitting a Multimac.
Laurie and his family of six live deep in the Wiltshire countryside. With four children ranging from nine months to nine years old, plus two dogs, daily life involves a fair amount of logistics, mud and kit. Getting everyone where they need to be is a constant balancing act, and practicality isn’t just a preference for the Timpsons. It’s a way of life.
Their car of choice is a 2019 Range Rover Sport, one of two vehicles the family runs alongside an old Defender. Both need to handle the rugged dirt track leading to and from their home, and the Range Rover Sport was chosen for its balance of comfort, capability and size.
When the family needed a way to transport four children safely, upgrading to a much larger vehicle seemed like the obvious route. But for Laurie, that came with too many compromises.
“Big cars bring plenty of downsides,” he explains. “Given where we live and how we travel, keeping the overall size sensible was important. The Multimac made that possible.”
Rather than trading in a vehicle that already worked perfectly for their lifestyle, the Timpsons installed a Multimac into the Range Rover Sport and kept the car they loved. It’s a decision that reflects the same practical, no-nonsense thinking Laurie brings to everything he does.
Ask Laurie about life with the Multimac and the answer is simple: “It’s been invaluable.”
With a roof box fitted, the family can comfortably travel with two adults, four children and two dogs, plus everything needed for a two-week holiday. That’s the kind of versatility most families assume requires a seven-seater or larger.
The day-to-day details matter too. The straps are secure and easy enough for the older boys to fit themselves, which makes the school run and everyday journeys that bit smoother. The baby carrier has been fantastic for the youngest, and Laurie notes that the fittings provided were “absolutely spot on.”
As for installation? “After a bit of head-scratching and a few schoolboy errors, fitting it was actually very straightforward.” A sentiment many Multimac owners will recognise.
There’s a clear thread connecting how Laurie approaches family life and how he runs his business. Savernake Knives, named after the very forest where the family lives, is built on the same principles of functionality, durability and quality.
Based in their Wiltshire workshop, Laurie and his team design and make high-performance kitchen knives by hand. Their customers range from home cooks to professional chefs, as well as restaurants and hospitality businesses looking for bespoke pieces. Everything is made with a focus on performance, durability and materials rather than trends.
“It grew out of a desire to make tools properly,” Laurie says. “Things that are functional first, made to last, and enjoyable to use every day. Knives are simple objects, but when done well they make a real difference.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates with us at Multimac. We believe the same is true of car seat systems. Simple in concept, but when engineered properly, they make a genuine difference to family life.
Savernake Knives builds awareness primarily through word of mouth, their website and direct communication with customers. Email plays a big role, alongside collaboration with like-minded brands and chefs. It’s an approach that values genuine relationships over noise, something we deeply respect.
When asked about his favourite part of running the business, Laurie’s answer speaks volumes: “Making things that people genuinely value and use every day, and being closely involved in every stage of the process, from design through to making and finishing.”
You can explore Savernake Knives and their beautiful handmade products at savernakeknives.co.uk.
What we love about the Timpsons’ story is how naturally Multimac fits into a life built around thoughtful, practical decisions. Laurie didn’t want to compromise on his vehicle to accommodate his family, just as he doesn’t compromise on materials to make a knife. Both choices come down to the same thing: finding the best solution and sticking with it.
It’s stories like these that remind us why we do what we do. Multimac exists so families can keep the car they love and still fit everyone in safely. Whether you’re navigating a forest track in Wiltshire or the school run in suburbia, that freedom matters.
Are you a Multimac owner with a story to tell? Whether you run a business, have an unusual car, or simply want to share how Multimac has made family life easier, we want to hear from you.
Share your Multimac story with us and you could be featured in our next customer spotlight. It’s a chance to tell your story, showcase your business and join a growing community of families who’ve found a better way to travel together.
Unit 11 Octagon Business Park, Miller Street,
Birmingham, West Midlands B6 4NF
