Exporter extraordinaire:
how the Department for International Trade helped Stiltz achieve international success
Stiltz Homelifts has blazed a trail in the accessible living arena, creating the market for domestic lifts which simply was not there before the brand was developed. Just over a decade later the home lift manufacturer is a business success not only here in the UK but is an impressive force in the export market, sold in over 50 countries. We look at how the Department of International Trade (DIT) helped with this export journey and highlight other impressive successes along the way.
Established by Australian duo, Lachlan Faulkner and Cameron Gillespie, Stiltz Homelifts immediately recognised many senior and disabled people were craving independence and wanted to remain in their own homes. In 2011 the Duo Classic Homelift was the first Stiltz domestic lift to be sold to a UK customer and the assisted living revolution began.
Exports have always been important to the business model. The home lift founders reached out to the DIT before they came to the UK, so once they were established in the UK, they immediately began to work with an International Trade Advisor (ITA) on developing the international strategy. “We’ve had invaluable help opening up new export markets and guidance on the challenges following the UK’s exit from the EU,” says Lachlan.
A dedicated Stiltz Homelifts export team drives growth, which has increased by 50 per cent in the last three years. Their efforts have been rewarded with an array of awards including the Lloyds Bank Business Award for Export and a position on the SME Export Track Listing, the FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies plus the Virgin Fast Track and the HSBC International Track.
A win in the International Trade category of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2020, was made all the more poignant in early 2022 when the late Queen Elizabeth II had a Stiltz Homelift installed at the Balmoral Estate. Mike Lord CEO of Stiltz Homelifts commented on what an honour this was for a relatively young company. He is also keen to offer up advice for businesses looking to grow their exports. “Stiltz believes in investing in a good team of people,” he says. “It is so important to trust in the capabilities of others, just as we have done with our export team. They have been fundamental to our rapid growth across the world.”
Believing in themselves, seeking guidance and empowering others has created the domestic lift market and the export success Stiltz Homelifts now enjoys.
Easy to arrange lots of information, No problems with fitting, payment taken in stages, last payment when job was completed. Everyone was friendly from start to finish.
My experience with Stiltz Homelifts. Just over a month ago, I had my Stiltz lift installed and I am so pleased with it. The workmen that came and fitted it were very professional and knew what they were doing. They were so professional I would not hesitate to recommend Stiltz lifts to anybody.
Great looking product, knowledgeable sales people, fitters work clean quickly and polite. Definitely recommend.
Great stylist lift, had for six months without a hitch. Installed by company staff not subcontractors. Cannot fault the lift, buying experience, installation, service. Good company ethos and made in UK.
From the very beginning with the initial construction to the finished product. I have never seen such polite men with an equal work ethic. They cleaned as they went each day. The pets were never in harm. The finished product is awesome. Couldn’t be more pleased
Excellent from beginning to end – and beyond.
Everybody we dealt with at Stiltz was very helpful and efficient, from the initial meeting with Nick Sale, the sales rep, thorough technical inspection, the builders, installers, plumber, electrician, and excellent follow up service and attention. My husband’s life is transformed and mine is much easier. Thank you Stiltz.
Elegant lift, promptly installed by careful and tidy fitters who removed their rubbish the following day. A fair price and an envied addition to our home.
I have been astounded and gratified by the levels of service we have received from every member of the Stiltz teams we have dealt with. A superb lift with exceptional service!
An excellent company from the first contact to the completed project. All personnel were friendly and very polite but stayed extremely professional throughout. Having been in the construction industry for over 40 years I was aware the preparation work was carried out to a high standard by the best of trades people. The lift itself can not be faulted both the operation and aesthetics.
The service was better than 1st class. It was excellent in every way. We could not be more pleased with everything Stiltz applied it’s self to in any way. We would award 6 stars at the very least.
Home lifts are a modern alternative to stairlifts, offering reliability, speed, capacity, and seamless aesthetic integration for a stylish and efficient solution.
Disability Facilities Grants, up to £30,000, can fund home adaptations like Stiltz lifts, starting at £9,990, supporting independent living for disabled individuals.
Stiltz home lifts ensure safety with battery backups, obstruction sensors, self-closing doors, weight limit sensors, and ‘hold to run’ controls for a secure user experience.
