A Guide to the Main UK Stairlift Manufacturers
Stannah stairlifts
Stannah are perhaps the most recognizable name in stairlifts, worldwide. Founded in the 19th century, Stannah are a family owned company that has enormous experience in the production of lifting equipment.
Since 1975, Stannah Stairlifts has sold over 400,000 stairlifts around the world and leads the global market. Stannah sell a wide range of straight, curved and outdoor stair lifts with some of the most innovative design and features in the market.
The Solus stairlift is available for both straight and curved stairs and is packed with next generation features and ergonomic design. The ‘one step folding system’ for example allows the arms, foot rest and seat to be folded away simultaneously with one movement and without the user having to bend down.
Stannah also have a comprehensive rental program, using both new and reconditioned Stannah models.
Bison Bede stairlifts
Bison Bede has over 20 years’ experience of designing and manufacturing stairlifts and they produce models for straight and curved stairs as well as for outdoor use. Bison Bede is part of the same group as Acorn Stairlifts.
The Bison 50 for straight stairs is a slim-line lift based on the tremendously popular Bison Compact. The Bison 50 is also available in a perch configuration, for people who have trouble bending at the knees.
For curved installations, the Bison 80 stairlift will accommodate almost every curved staircase. The Bison 80 stair lift offers a smooth and comfortable ride on a slim, well-finished rail on either side of the staircase.
Minivator stairlifts
Another household name in the UK stair lift market is Minivator. They have a solid reputation for reliability, quality and value.
The Minivator 1000 stairlift is designed for straight stairs. When not in use, the lift can be folded up, keeping the stairs clear for other users. They also have a powered footplate, to make folding even easier.
For people with curved stairs Minivator supply the Minivator 2000. Minivator has a dedicated team of designers who calculate the best track for each individual staircase to maximize the space on the stairs and achieve the perfect fit.
Acorn Stairlifts
Acorn is major player in the stairlift market, both in the UK and on a global scale. A privately owned British company, they are based in Yorkshire but have an international sales and distribution network, with over 1000 employees worldwide.
They produce the Superglide 120, for straight stairs. It runs on maintenance-free battery power, is simple to operate with a paddle control and has a smooth start/stop action.
For curved staircases, the Acorn 80 offers fantastic versatility. The Acorn 80 has an innovative, modular design and is suitable for almost any staircase. Acorn also manufactures perch stairlifts and outdoor models designed to withstand the weather.
Brooks stairlifts
Probably the first Brooks stairlift was built in 1972, when company founder Frederick Brooks constructed a lift for his wife. She suffered from arthritis and was having difficulty using the stairs in their home.
The best known Brook model is the Lincoln, for straight stairs. Solid in its construction is uses a maintenance-free DC power packs that recharge after every trip.
The Brooks Curved stairlift is very versatile and accommodates turns, half-landings and can even continue along the hall or landing.
Brooks stairlifts are now part of the same group of companies as Acorn and Bison Bede.
Platinum stairlifts
Focusing on the curved-stairlifts, the Platinum Curve stairlift provides one of the smoothest ride on the market. Platinum has also built a reputation for supplying quality reconditioned stairlifts through its New to You range.
The New to You range has more than 8,000 satisfied customers and offers reconditioned stairlifts of the highest quality at an affordable price.
All reconditioning work is carried out to the highest possible standard and all stairlifts are fully tested by its team of dedicated staff.
MediTek stairlifts
Formed in 1992 by two stairlift professionals who decided to work together to design a stairlift that would surpass everything available at that time. Today Meditek sell stairlifts and accessories worldwide.
Meditek now employ 30 people and have centres both in the UK – in Durham – and abroad.
They are firmly established in the UK marketplace with products such as their Multi Flight stairlift and the SP100 Stand and Perch model. MediTek chair lifts also have a great reputation for safety and quality.
Hopefully, you’ll have found this brief introduction to the UK stairlifts market useful. All the main stairlift manufacturers have comprehensive websites. However, for truly impartial advice based around your or your relative’s circumstances, it might be best to approach an independent retailer, such as UK Stairlifts.
The original version of this article can be viewed here: http://www.uklift.co.uk/stairlift/stairlifts/a-guide-to-the-main-stairlift-manufacturers/
Stannah are perhaps the most recognizable name in stairlifts, worldwide. Founded in the 19th century, Stannah are a family owned company that has enormous experience in the production of lifting equipment.
Since 1975, Stannah Stairlifts has sold over 400,000 stairlifts around the world and leads the global market. Stannah sell a wide range of straight, curved and outdoor stair lifts with some of the most innovative design and features in the market.
The Solus stairlift is available for both straight and curved stairs and is packed with next generation features and ergonomic design. The ‘one step folding system’ for example allows the arms, foot rest and seat to be folded away simultaneously with one movement and without the user having to bend down.
Stannah also have a comprehensive rental program, using both new and reconditioned Stannah models.
Bison Bede stairlifts
Bison Bede has over 20 years’ experience of designing and manufacturing stairlifts and they produce models for straight and curved stairs as well as for outdoor use. Bison Bede is part of the same group as Acorn Stairlifts.
The Bison 50 for straight stairs is a slim-line lift based on the tremendously popular Bison Compact. The Bison 50 is also available in a perch configuration, for people who have trouble bending at the knees.
For curved installations, the Bison 80 stairlift will accommodate almost every curved staircase. The Bison 80 stair lift offers a smooth and comfortable ride on a slim, well-finished rail on either side of the staircase.
Minivator stairlifts
Another household name in the UK stair lift market is Minivator. They have a solid reputation for reliability, quality and value.
The Minivator 1000 stairlift is designed for straight stairs. When not in use, the lift can be folded up, keeping the stairs clear for other users. They also have a powered footplate, to make folding even easier.
For people with curved stairs Minivator supply the Minivator 2000. Minivator has a dedicated team of designers who calculate the best track for each individual staircase to maximize the space on the stairs and achieve the perfect fit.
Acorn Stairlifts
Acorn is major player in the stairlift market, both in the UK and on a global scale. A privately owned British company, they are based in Yorkshire but have an international sales and distribution network, with over 1000 employees worldwide.
They produce the Superglide 120, for straight stairs. It runs on maintenance-free battery power, is simple to operate with a paddle control and has a smooth start/stop action.
For curved staircases, the Acorn 80 offers fantastic versatility. The Acorn 80 has an innovative, modular design and is suitable for almost any staircase. Acorn also manufactures perch stairlifts and outdoor models designed to withstand the weather.
Brooks stairlifts
Probably the first Brooks stairlift was built in 1972, when company founder Frederick Brooks constructed a lift for his wife. She suffered from arthritis and was having difficulty using the stairs in their home.
The best known Brook model is the Lincoln, for straight stairs. Solid in its construction is uses a maintenance-free DC power packs that recharge after every trip.
The Brooks Curved stairlift is very versatile and accommodates turns, half-landings and can even continue along the hall or landing.
Brooks stairlifts are now part of the same group of companies as Acorn and Bison Bede.
Platinum stairlifts
Focusing on the curved-stairlifts, the Platinum Curve stairlift provides one of the smoothest ride on the market. Platinum has also built a reputation for supplying quality reconditioned stairlifts through its New to You range.
The New to You range has more than 8,000 satisfied customers and offers reconditioned stairlifts of the highest quality at an affordable price.
All reconditioning work is carried out to the highest possible standard and all stairlifts are fully tested by its team of dedicated staff.
MediTek stairlifts
Formed in 1992 by two stairlift professionals who decided to work together to design a stairlift that would surpass everything available at that time. Today Meditek sell stairlifts and accessories worldwide.
Meditek now employ 30 people and have centres both in the UK – in Durham – and abroad.
They are firmly established in the UK marketplace with products such as their Multi Flight stairlift and the SP100 Stand and Perch model. MediTek chair lifts also have a great reputation for safety and quality.
Hopefully, you’ll have found this brief introduction to the UK stairlifts market useful. All the main stairlift manufacturers have comprehensive websites. However, for truly impartial advice based around your or your relative’s circumstances, it might be best to approach an independent retailer, such as UK Stairlifts.
The original version of this article can be viewed here: http://www.uklift.co.uk/stairlift/stairlifts/a-guide-to-the-main-stairlift-manufacturers/