Kingswinford-based domestic lifts manufacturer Stiltz Lifts unveiled the brand new Stiltz Trio+ HomeLift to dealers at its first-ever trade product launch last week.
The event, held at the impressive Stanbrook Abbey - a former 16th century monastery near Worcester - gave specialist mobility companies, who were attended from all over the UK and Ireland, the opportunity to see this ground-breaking addition to the Stiltz range of unique home lifts.
The Stiltz Trio+ HomeLift has been designed to take a full-sized wheelchair or up to three people. The modern design encompasses both practicality and style, to give a contemporary, elegant look.
The new Trio lift has undergone extensive testing and will fully comply with BS 5900:2012 powered homelifts along with BS EN 81-41 accreditation. There is the option of an automatic door available to allow for ease of entering and exiting the lift car and a gently-angled ramp for easier wheelchair level access. The car body has also been specifically designed for wheelchair users with wider entry and exit points. The overall footprint is just 1040mm x 1378mm.
The Trio+ will enable trade dealers to offer the product to the consumer market, Local Authority and Disabled Facilities Grant-funded lifts, the latter two according to figures from the Lift & Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), provide funding for around 2,000 wheelchair lifts per year.
As with all Stiltz HomeLifts, the new product can be installed in less than a day with no load bearing walls or hydraulics required. The lift plugs straight into a normal domestic power socket using minimal power as it travels quietly between floors on self-supporting rails which are discreetly recessed between the slightly wider entrance/exit. The uniqie thru-car option allows entry and exit from opposite sides giving greater flexibility when choosing a location for the lift.
The car of the Trio+ is designed in a stylish aluminium casing with a clear body, which helps it blend seamlessly into customers’ homes. The more compact Stiltz Duo+ HomeLift also showcased at the launch event, shares the same new aluminium coating.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stiltz Group – which includes premium domestic lift brand Lifton - Mike Lord says the new products offer potential trade partners huge opportunities to make their businesses more profitable with free installation training also available at its headquarters in Kingswinford, West Midlands.
Mike explained dealers can make the same profit from selling one Stiltz HomeLift as they currently do from selling 20 stairlifts with service and maintenance contracts included. A Stiltz HomeLift also gives trade dealers the chance to offer a product designed to appeal to a younger section of the mobility market. A typical Stiltz HomeLift customer is aged 55 compared to an average age of 72 for a stairlift customer.
In addition to the presentation by Mike, the audience heard from Chief Commercial Officer, Lachlan Faulkner and UK Trade Sales Director, Gino Farruggio. A special three-course dinner in the stunning former chapel in the evening was followed by an inspirational after-dinner speech from former British Army corporal Josh Boggi, a triple amputee Invictus Games athlete who as well as being a Stiltz customer, acts as brand ambassador for the company. There was also a casino night to raise money for British military charity, Help for Heroes.
Mike Lord said: “I would like to thank all the trade dealers who attended our first-ever product launch. We hope now they have seen the new products they understand why we were so thrilled to be showcasing our unique range of home lifts to them.
“We look forward to working with them in making potential customers aware of what a life changing solution the new Trio+ can be for wheelchair users, while the new, compact and elegant Duo+ can help customers remain more independent and live a full life in the home they love.
“Stiltz are making plenty of noise in the assisted living sector and we look forward to welcoming new trade dealers along on our journey. Together we can grow the market share and make the Stiltz name synonymous with stylish and discreet assisted living.”