Handi-Lift
Handi-Lift, Inc. is a privately held, founder-led accessibility equipment provider founded in 1975 and headquartered in Carlstadt, NJ. The company sells, installs, and maintains wheelchair platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, LU/LA elevators, and home elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential customers across the New York City metro and New Jersey regions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersCarlstadt, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Handi-Lift does
Handi-Lift, Inc. is a privately held accessibility solutions provider founded in 1975 and headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The company sells, designs, installs, and services wheelchair lifts, platform lifts, and small elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential customers, primarily across the New York City metro area and New Jersey. Its product portfolio spans four vertical platform lift variants (custom/shaftway enclosed, standard factory-enclosed, unenclosed, and heavy-duty), two inclined platform lift types (straight and turning — the latter navigating curves and intermediate landings), limited-use/limited-application (LU/LA) elevators for small commercial buildings, and residential home elevators. Handi-Lift primarily resells and integrates Garaventa-manufactured lifts (Genesis, Artira, Xpress II, OPAL models) and complements them with site assessment, permit handling, custom design, and certified installation services.
The company generates revenue through three streams: hardware sales of lift equipment (Vertical Platform Lifts, Inclined Platform Lifts, LU/LA elevators, home elevators), professional installation services (site assessment, custom integration, permits), and recurring service/maintenance contracts (quarterly or semi-annual for commercial lifts, annual for residential). Pricing is custom quote-based and varies with lift type, travel height, permitting, and site conditions. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with sales engineers providing on-site consultations, working alongside architects and general contractors during project design. The firm also runs AIA Continuing Education Lunch & Learn programs and publishes free CAD blocks to drive specifications, and offers free consultations via phone and web.
Management remains founder-led: Doug Boydston, who co-founded the company with his parents, has served as President since 1990 and chairs the ASME A18.1 Safety Standard main committee — a position that gives Handi-Lift direct influence over the regulatory framework governing its product category. The company has accumulated 10,000+ completed projects and currently maintains 1,000+ lifts under service contracts, with reference installations spanning government, education, healthcare, retail, hospitality, religious, and nonprofit segments including Lincoln Center, the US Air Force Academy, the NYC Subway, Princeton University, and the FDR Four Freedoms Park. Handi-Lift has earned multiple Elevator World Project of the Year awards (2011, 2015, 2018/2019) and the 2014 NYC ADA Sapolin Award from Mayor de Blasio.
Handi-Lift firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Handi-Lift
- Legal name
- Handi-Lift, Inc.
- Website
- https://handi-lift.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Handi-Lift, Inc. is a privately held, founder-led accessibility equipment provider founded in 1975 and headquartered in Carlstadt, NJ. The company sells, installs, and maintains wheelchair platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, LU/LA elevators, and home elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential customers across the New York City metro and New Jersey regions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Handi-Lift industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessibility Equipment
- NAICS
- Elevator and Moving Stairway Manufacturing (333921), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accessibility & Platform Lift Service (Wheelchair/Vertical Platform Lifts) (BPABAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Stair Lifts, Platform Lifts & Residential Elevator Services (HSABAJAD), Home Mobility & Accessibility Equipment (Ramps, Stair Lifts, Transfer Aids) (HSABAKAB), Stair Lifts & Residential Platform Lifts (HSAPANAC)
Keywords
Where Handi-Lift is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carlstadt
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Handi-Lift business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Lift and Elevator Products: Sale of platform lifts, elevators, and accessibility equipment including vertical platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, LU/LA elevators, and home elevators
- Installation Services: Professional installation services including site assessment, custom design integration, permits handling, and installation
- Service and Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance programs and repair services for lifts and elevators. Residential lifts recommended annually, commercial lifts quarterly or semi-annually
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Handi-Lift product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Handi-Lift designs, sells, and installs accessibility equipment including vertical platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, home elevators, and LU/LA elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential customers. The company provides site assessments, custom design integration, permitting, professional installation, and ongoing maintenance services, serving primarily the NYC metro and New Jersey regions.
Product overview
Handi-Lift is a physical accessibility equipment provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of wheelchair lifts, platform lifts, and elevators for both commercial and residential applications. The product lineup includes four types of Vertical Platform Lifts (Shaftway/Custom Enclosed, Standard Enclosure, Unenclosed, and Heavy Duty), two types of Inclined Platform Lifts (Turning and Straight), plus Home Elevators and LU/LA (Limited Use/Limited Application) Elevators. The company primarily resells and installs Garaventa-brand lifts (Genesis, Artira, Xpress II, OPAL models) and provides custom design, installation, and maintenance services. All products are designed for ADA compliance and must meet safety standards such as ASME A18.1 and ICC A117.1.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shaftway Vertical Platform Lifts (Custom Enclosure VPL) Custom enclosed vertical platform lifts designed for commercial and residential buildings where aesthetics are a priority. Features include power door operators, interlocks, battery backup, and ADA phone.
- Standard Enclosure Vertical Platform Lifts Factory enclosed vertical platform lifts that require minimal construction for installation. Features include exterior domed roof, communication systems, and integrated lighting.
- Unenclosed Vertical Platform Lifts Vertical platform lifts for low-rise locations (maximum 5 feet 0 inches in public buildings). Common for stage applications with flip-up ramps, safety pans, and optional mast heaters for outdoor installations.
- Heavy Duty Vertical Platform Lifts Heavy-duty vertical platform lifts designed for 10-14 feet of travel with heavy-use requirements. Features 30 FPM speed, quiet submersible pump operation, smooth solid ride, automatic lighting, and 750 lb capacity.
- Turning Inclined Platform Lifts Garaventa Artira model that travels over staircases, folds up when not in use, and can navigate multiple flights with corners and intermediate landings. The most versatile lift in the company's lineup.
- Straight Inclined Platform Lifts Garaventa Xpress II model designed for buildings with one flight of stairs and no intermediate landings. Features direct mount capability, side load, power door interface, and handrail options with compact design.
- Home Elevators Affordable, customizable residential elevators that enhance mobility for individuals with impairments, boost property value, and support aging in place. Features include powered car gates, emergency lowering, two/three speed doors, and flush swing doors.
- LU/LA Elevators Limited Use/Limited Application elevators serving as compact, cost-effective alternatives to full commercial elevators. Ideal for small buildings with 25 ft travel, 30 fpm speed, 1400 lb capacity, and 18 sq ft floor space.
- Service and Maintenance Programs Ongoing maintenance and repair services for installed lifts and elevators. Residential lifts are recommended for annual maintenance while commercial lifts are recommended for quarterly or semi-annual maintenance, covering 1,000+ lifts currently under maintenance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10,000 projects completed since 1975
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Handi-Lift
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Handi-Lift technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Handi-Lift partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Handi-Lift competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inclinator Company of America: Long-established manufacturer of residential elevators, dumbwaiters, and stair lifts. Directly comparable as a heritage brand competing in home elevators and accessibility lifts for aging-in-place applications.
- Garaventa Lift: Manufacturer of the Artira, Xpress II, Genesis, and OPAL platform lifts that Handi-Lift resells and installs. Comparable because they offer the same core product categories (vertical and inclined platform lifts, LU/LA elevators) to overlapping commercial and institutional customers through dealer and direct channels.
- Bruno Independent Living Aids: Manufacturer and seller of platform lifts, stair lifts, and vehicle lifts for residential and commercial accessibility. Directly comparable product portfolio (vertical platform lifts, inclined lifts) and similar aging-in-place and ADA-compliance positioning.
- Symmetry Elevating Solutions: Provider and installer of residential elevators, dumbwaiters, and stair lifts, primarily in the Northeast. Comparable as a regional installer-dealer with overlapping residential and light-commercial accessibility offerings.
- Access Industries: Manufacturer and supplier of wheelchair lifts, vertical platform lifts, and LU/LA elevators serving commercial and institutional markets across the U.S. Closely comparable as a manufacturer-dealer competitor in Handi-Lift's core product categories.
- National Wheel-O-Vator: U.S. manufacturer of vertical platform lifts and LU/LA elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Directly comparable product line and customer overlap in ADA-compliant accessibility equipment.
Broad incumbents
- ThyssenKrupp Access: Large global mobility company's accessibility division offering home elevators, stair lifts, and platform lifts through a national dealer-installer network. Comparable at the product and customer level but operating at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Savaria Corporation: Public accessibility equipment company (acquired Handicare's accessibility business) offering home elevators, stair lifts, and platform lifts globally. Comparable product portfolio but with a much larger footprint and broader product mix than Handi-Lift.
- Stannah Stairlifts: Major UK-headquartered manufacturer of stair lifts and home lifts with U.S. distribution. Comparable as an established accessibility-equipment incumbent overlapping in stair lifts, home lifts, and aging-in-place solutions.
Emerging players
- Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators: Manufacturer of self-supporting pneumatic vacuum elevators for residential and light commercial use. Comparable in the residential accessibility/home-elevator category but with a distinctly different, niche technology that competes for the same aging-in-place customer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Handi-Lift social profiles
Digital presenceHandi-Lift compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Handi-Lift financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Handi-Lift leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Handi-Lift funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Handi-Lift M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Handi-Lift
What does Handi-Lift do?
Handi-Lift designs, sells, and installs accessibility equipment including vertical platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, home elevators, and LU/LA elevators for commercial, institutional, and residential customers. The company provides site assessments, custom design integration, permitting, professional installation, and ongoing maintenance services, serving primarily the NYC metro and New Jersey regions.
Is Handi-Lift a public or private company?
Handi-Lift is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Handi-Lift founded?
Handi-Lift was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Handi-Lift based?
Handi-Lift is headquartered in Carlstadt, United States, in the North America region.
How does Handi-Lift make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lift and Elevator Products are the primary driver. The others are installation Services and service and Maintenance.
Who are Handi-Lift's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inclinator Company of America, Garaventa Lift, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Symmetry Elevating Solutions, Access Industries and National Wheel-O-Vator. Broad incumbents are ThyssenKrupp Access, Savaria Corporation and Stannah Stairlifts. Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators is listed as an emerging player.
Does Handi-Lift have an API?
No public API is recorded for Handi-Lift.
What industry is Handi-Lift in?
Handi-Lift's product category is Accessibility Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAIAI, Accessibility & Platform Lift Service (Wheelchair/Vertical Platform Lifts), with a secondary code of HSABAJAD, Stair Lifts, Platform Lifts & Residential Elevator Services. Its NAICS code is 333921 and its SIC code is 3842.