Liftstar

What Liftstar does

Liftstar GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German provider of residential mobility and barrier-free living solutions, headquartered in Cologne and operating under the group name "Die Liftstar Gruppe." The company designs, distributes, installs, and services stair lifts, home lifts, platform lifts, and wheelchair lifts through six specialized brands — Lifta (premium stair lifts, designated a "Brand of the Century"), Lifton (compact home lifts), AP+ Treppenlifte (quick-install stair lifts), Der Treppenlift (refurbished units), sani-trans (wheelchair and platform lifts), and myHomelift (home elevators). The group has cumulatively sold more than 330,000 lifts over 45+ years of operating history (founded in 1979 as L.Hopmann Maschinenfabrik Köln) and employs more than 1,000 staff in Germany, including 400+ in-home consulting experts and 300+ service technicians providing nationwide coverage plus 24/7 customer service.

The business operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market: customers reach Liftstar through a multi-step online product finder, a free 0800-number phone consultation (supplemented by a telli technologies AI phone assistant for after-hours coverage), and an in-home consultation that converts into new, refurbished, or rental lift sales with annual maintenance contracts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; options span one-time purchase of new or refurbished units, and monthly rental subscriptions, with potential German government subsidies of up to €4,180 per person. Recurring revenue comes from annual maintenance contracts and 24/7 repair service on the installed base, complementing the largely transactional hardware sales.

The company is led by two Managing Directors (Geschäftsführer), Joachim Geiger and Stefan Seick, with no disclosed external investors, private equity ownership, or public listing. In 2023 it opened a new Cologne-Marsdorf campus to support continued headcount growth. Distribution is currently concentrated in Germany with a foothold in Austria (Lifta GmbH Österreich), and the group holds TÜV Saarland, TrustedShops, and Bundesverband Initiative 50Plus certifications, alongside BFSG/WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance.

Name

Liftstar

Legal name

Liftstar GmbH

Website

https://liftstar.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Liftstar GmbH is a family-owned German market leader in residential mobility equipment, selling, installing, and servicing stair lifts, home lifts, and wheelchair lifts under six brands to elderly and mobility-impaired consumers across Germany and Austria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Home Mobility Equipment

NAICS

Home Health Equipment Rental (532283), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)

akta.pro primary industry

Stair Lifts & Residential Platform Lifts (HSAPANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Mobility & Accessibility Equipment (Ramps, Stair Lifts, Transfer Aids) (HSABAKAB), Stair Lifts, Platform Lifts & Residential Elevator Services (HSABAJAD)

Keywords

• Stair lifts
• Home elevators
• Wheelchair lifts
• Platform lifts
• Mobility equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Lift product sales: New and refurbished stair lifts, home lifts, platform lifts, and wheelchair lifts sold directly to consumers through consulting and field sales. Options include purchase (new/used) and rental.
2. Maintenance and repair services: Ongoing maintenance contracts and repair services for installed lifts. Annual maintenance recommended every 12 months. Customer service available 24/7.
3. Rental/lease model: Flexible rental options for stair lifts, allowing customers to rent rather than purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Liftstar sells, installs, and services home mobility equipment — primarily stair lifts, home elevators, platform lifts, and wheelchair lifts — under six specialized brands (Lifta, Lifton, AP+ Treppenlifte, Der Treppenlift, sani-trans, myHomelift) to elderly and mobility-impaired consumers across Germany. Offerings are available as new purchases, professionally refurbished used lifts, and monthly rentals, and are backed by 400+ consulting experts, 300+ service technicians, 24/7 customer support, and government subsidy assistance up to 4,180 EUR per person.

Product overview

Liftstar is a group of six specialized lift providers enabling people to remain mobile and self-determined in their own homes. The portfolio centers on stair lifts (Sitzlifte), home elevators (Hauslifte/Homelifte), platform lifts, and wheelchair lifts, sold under five primary brands: Lifta (premium stair lifts, Germany's leading brand), Lifton (compact homelifte), AP+ Treppenlifte (quick-installation stair lifts), Der Treppenlift (refurbished lifts), and sani-trans (wheelchair/platform lifts). Products are available in new, used, and rental configurations. The group operates exclusively with premium providers and offers complete solutions from consultation through service, serving as the market leader with over 330,000 lifts sold and 45+ years of experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stair Lifts (Sitzlifte) Motorized chair lifts that safely traverse staircases, enabling mobility-impaired individuals to navigate between floors. Sold across multiple sub-brands covering premium new (Lifta), quick-installation (AP+), and refurbished (Der Treppenlift) segments. For elderly and mobility-impaired consumers in private residences across Germany.
• Home Elevators (Hauslifte / Homelifte) Compact in-home elevator solutions that transport residents comfortably and elegantly between floors without the need for a staircase, offering exclusive home elevator experiences. Sold under the Lifton and myHomelift sub-brands. For homeowners seeking premium, future-proof vertical mobility in multi-story residences.
• Lifton Brand (Compact Homelifte) Modern homelift sub-brand within the Liftstar Group, offering compact, elegant home elevator solutions that fit in small spaces and provide comfort between floors.
• Lifta Brand (Premium Stair Lifts) Germany's leading premium stair lift brand and flagship of the Liftstar Group; offers high-quality stair lifts with full consultation, installation, and after-sales service.
• AP+ Treppenlifte Brand (Quick-Installation Stair Lifts) Stair lift sub-brand offering a unique rail system that enables particularly quick installation without compromising technology or craftsmanship.
• Der Treppenlift Brand (Refurbished Stair Lifts) Refurbished stair lift sub-brand offering high-quality Lifta stair lifts that are professionally refurbished to be durable and reliable, with full warranty support at a lower price.
• Platform Lifts (Plattformlifte) Lifts ideal for all standard active and electric wheelchairs, enabling wheelchair users to navigate between floors. Sold under the sani-trans sub-brand.
• Wheelchair Lifts (Rollstuhllifte) Tailored mobility solutions for wheelchair users, suitable for all common active and electric wheelchairs. Government subsidies of up to 4,180 EUR per person are available. Sold under the sani-trans sub-brand.
• Used / Refurbished Lifts (Gebrauchte Lifte) Cost-effective used / refurbished lift purchase option, allowing customers to save money while obtaining safe, professionally refurbished chair lifts.
• Lift Rental (Liftmiete) Flexible monthly rental option for stair lifts and other lifts, allowing customers to avoid upfront purchase costs and remain flexible.
• Maintenance, Repair, and Customer Service Ongoing maintenance contracts (annual maintenance recommended), repair services, and 24/7 customer service for installed lifts, supported by 80 customer service staff, a 40-person dispatch team, and 300+ service technicians across Germany.

Quantifiable outcome

• 330,000+ lifts sold as market leader
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• telli technologies GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationLiftstar uses telli technologies GmbH's AI-based phone assistant to handle after-hours customer calls, schedule appointments, and improve telephone accessibility. The AI assistant can contact customers, converse to schedule appointments, and manage incoming inquiries with transcription capabilities.
• New Work SE (onlyfy one / XING)coreTechnology or IntegrationLiftstar uses onlyfy one (New Work SE) for applicant tracking and recruitment management. Job applicants create profiles and can manage their application data through this platform. Joint data controller relationship exists for the company account.
• PROFILES GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFor online assessment centers during the recruitment process, Liftstar uses PROFILES GmbH as a processor to conduct digital potential analyses for candidates.
• talentsconnect AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationLiftstar uses the Talentsconnect platform for operating their career page (karriere.liftstar.de) and recruitment data collection. The platform serves as a processor for candidate data and job posting management.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Acorn Stairlifts: One of the largest direct-to-consumer stair lift specialists globally, with a heavy focus on senior in-home consultation and installation. Operates a similar field-sales and service model to Liftstar and is a primary competitor in the European residential stair lift category.
• Platinum Stairlifts: UK-based stair lift supplier and manufacturer offering new, reconditioned, and rental stair lifts. Mirrors Liftstar's mix of premium (Lifta), refurbished (Der Treppenlift), and rental product options with a similar direct-to-consumer GTM.
• Stannah Stairlifts: UK-based, family-owned stair lift manufacturer and installer with global reach. Closest functional analog to Liftstar: sells stair lifts direct-to-consumer via in-home consultation, with strong service and maintenance annuity. Competes in DACH and Europe with an established international footprint.
• Handicare (Savaria): Provider of stair lifts, patient handling, and accessibility solutions, now part of Savaria. Overlaps directly with Liftstar's stair lift, platform lift, and home mobility portfolio and competes across European DACH and Nordic markets.
• Vimec: Italian manufacturer of stair lifts, home lifts, and platform lifts with pan-European distribution. Directly comparable product portfolio to Liftstar and a relevant European competitor in the same price and quality segments.
• Aritco: Swedish manufacturer of home lifts and platform lifts, with a pan-European distribution footprint. Competes directly with Liftstar's Lifton home lift and sani-trans platform lift brands in the premium and design-led segment of the market.

Broad incumbents

• TK Home Solutions (ThyssenKrupp): ThyssenKrupp's home mobility unit, providing stair lifts, home elevators, and accessibility solutions across Europe. Larger, established industrial conglomerate with overlapping product set and similar direct-to-customer sales motion in DACH.

Emerging players

• Sanimed: German medical supply and home health care provider offering mobility, care, and accessibility products. Comparable in being a German, direct-to-senior distributor; partial overlap with Liftstar on home mobility equipment and B2B partnerships with medical supply retailers (Sanitätshäuser).

Regional players

• Mobility Networks / Carelift: Smaller German and European regional installers and resellers of stair lifts and home mobility solutions. Relevant comparable to Liftstar's regional brand and field-sales footprint, illustrating the fragmented competitive landscape Liftstar is consolidating.
• Otolift: Dutch stair lift specialist with a strong presence in the Benelux market and growing activity in Germany. Comparable direct-to-consumer field-sales model and product set; relevant as a regional competitor entering Liftstar's core German market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/shorts/ZXh-yxRArwI
• Instagraminstagram.com/reel/DRRUny6COSK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/liftstar

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Liftstar