Lachlan Faulkner, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Stiltz
Lachlan Faulkner, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Stiltz

Marking 10 successful years in the mobility and access industry, Stiltz Homelifts has received the highest accolade to be bestowed on a UK business – The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2020.

Recommended by the Prime Minister, and approved by Her Majesty the Queen, the accolades are the highest official awards in the country and celebrate those companies that excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development.

Its 54th year, the Queen’s Awards were announced on the 21st April – Her Majesty’s birthday – and saw the homelift supplier selected for its international export success, joining an illustrious list of past-winners including household names such as Black & Decker, JCB, Tyrell’s Crisps and Isabella Oliver maternity wear.

Headquartered in the West Midlands and with regional offices near Reading and Leeds, Stiltz’ award win also coincides with the company’s 10th Anniversary.

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According to the manufacturer, the Queen’s Award marks the rapid success of the homelift’s entrance into the market, gaining traction quickly in both domestic and export markets.

Discussing his motivation to disrupt the accessible living industry with his innovative product, Lachlan Faulkner, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Stiltz, said: “We saw the products which were available at the time for the less mobile and were taken aback at the lack of design aesthetic.

Pointing out that the consumers of these products were once the individuals at the forefront of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution and the generation that spearheaded the desire for stylish clothes, attractive home décor and statement cars, Lachlan explained that he saw the opportunity for a new, more visually attractive and innovative proposition in the market.

“This really made us think about what they might want as well as what they need,” he added.

In just a few years after launching, the homelift manufacturer managed to establish a broad customer base in the UK, secure further investment, move to larger offices several times in all its locations and successfully introduce several new products to the market.

By 2016, the company’s growth had spread overseas, with strategic strongholds in key global locations including Australia, Germany, USA, France and Benelux.

From 2018, this expansion accelerated to the point where Stiltz’ products were available in 37 global markets through a combination of strategic partners, distributors and satellite offices.

According to the company, this growth has been matched by investment in manufacturing and R&D to enable the continued drive for improvement and innovation.

At the heart of its model, Stiltz has worked on positioning its products as a luxury and desired addition to a home in an attempt to move away from the negative connotations and distress-purchase associations linked to other solutions in the mobility and access market.

On learning that Stiltz Homelifts had won the Queen’s Award, Lachlan Faulkner praised the company’s global team for their hard work and dedication.

“I am extremely proud to know that the Prime Minister recommended, and Her Majesty the Queen approved, Stiltz for the International Trade Award; it’s a big deal for us,” he said.

“Along with winning the 2019 Lloyds Bank Exporter of the Year Award late last year, it is testament to the hard work of everyone within the business that we’re gaining recognition for making such rapid progress with our export strategy.

“CEO Mike Lord and I would like to thank each and every member of the Stiltz family for their efforts and once we are no longer working remotely due to the lockdown, I’m certain we’ll be enjoying a celebratory glass or two of champagne!”

Once the current COVID-19 pandemic has passed, Stiltz, alongside all the winners of the Queen’s Award, will be invited to a Royal reception. In addition, the company will be presented with the award certificate and crystal trophy at their premises by one of The Queen’s Lord-Lieutenants.

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