Stannah, a family-run business with a global presence operating in 13 countries and nearly 160 years of dedication to quality, safety, and innovation, celebrated a double milestone on 10 October 2024.
The company produced its one millionth stairlift, marking a monumental achievement in its mission to improve independence and change lives across the globe. In addition, Stannah officially opened its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Pioneer Road, located in Andover Business Park.
Andover Town Mayor Heather Neate had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the new factory. Her participation in the ribbon-cutting reflected the deep connection between Stannah and the local community, where the business had thrived for 50 years. Stannah’s longstanding presence in Andover had significantly contributed to the local economy, creating jobs and supporting the community while maintaining a global focus on improving lives.
The 90,000 sq. ft. Pioneer Road factory represented a substantial investment in Stannah’s future and its commitment to long-term growth, providing the facilities needed to support next-generation solutions and employment opportunities in the Andover area.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the factory incorporated features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and high-performance insulation, reducing its environmental impact. The facility greatly boosted Stannah’s production capacity, paving the way for future expansion and ensuring the company remained well-positioned to continue its legacy of advancements in the stairlift and homelift industry, meeting the needs of a growing customer base.
As Stannah continued to expand, the company celebrated yet another significant milestone. Since the introduction of the Stannah stairlift in 1975 by Brian and Alan Stannah MBE, now chairmen of the business, the company had improved the lives of over a million people worldwide, helping them stay safe and independent in their homes.
This milestone was not only a technological and manufacturing triumph but also a testament to the dedication of Stannah employees across the world. From engineers and factory teams to procurement, finance, IT, sales, marketing, installation, customer-facing teams, and service professionals, every member of the Stannah family had contributed to this remarkable achievement.
Stannah stairlifts had evolved significantly since their inception. Once large, bulky bench-seated devices, they were now known for their ergonomic and aesthetic design, offering a wide range of easy-to-use features such as powered swivels and footrests, while blending elegantly into homes. The company’s steady growth in sales over the years and its position as one of the world’s leading stairlift providers had been driven by its relentless commitment to quality design, manufacturing, and customer service.
Jon Stannah, Group Managing Director, commented:
“We are thrilled to have celebrated these two extraordinary milestones. The production of our one millionth stairlift is a testament to our commitment to providing life-changing home accessibility solutions. Reaching this milestone means we’ve created a million smiles, each one representing a life made easier, safer, and more independent.
“The opening of our new factory signals our confidence in future growth, and we’re incredibly proud of our team, whose dedication made all of this possible.
“The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Pioneer Road, along with a celebration event at the Watt Close factory, was a key moment in our company’s journey.”