Award-winning homelift firm sees business take off

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, visited local business Stiltz Homelifts to celebrate the company’s recent successes and their continued bucking of the trend within the healthcare manufacturing sector.

Kingswinford-based Stiltz manufacture and install their unique homelift in the UK and across the world. The business recently gained the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade for its work in delivering their dual-rail technology to people with mobility needs, giving them the opportunity to once again live safe, happy and independent lives in their own homes.

The visit, co-ordinated by the British Healthcare Trades Association, however, comes amid growing concerns across the healthcare sector for the future of medical device regulation, increasing operational pressures, and continuing challenges with dual-sourcing materials from overseas.

The latest membership survey by the British Healthcare Trades Association found 88% of healthcare manufacturers feel under financial pressure, with 41% considering reducing the volume they distribute or produce in light of waning investment confidence and uncertainty around future regulations. This is especially related to market-access challenges which exist around the relationship between the CE and UKCA accreditation marks.

The visit also touched on finding a solution to issues arising from consumers purchasing second-hand accessibility products such as stairlifts and homelifts online from un-accredited sources. These products, often incorrectly installed by unqualified fitters, can lead to breakdowns and even user injury.

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, says: 

“Health technology provides an essential service to the NHS and to communities across the UK and so it’s absolutely critical that the Government gives manufacturers and suppliers such as Stiltz the certainty to continue to provide these award-winning products to enhance everyday lives. It’s also important that all healthcare devices are assembled to the highest safety standards and installed by an authorised provider to prevent breakdown or injury.”

Gino Farruggio, UK Sales Director at Stiltz HomeLifts, says:

“Across the healthcare sector businesses work tirelessly to provide patients with the tools needed to maintain their safety, independence, health and happiness. We’re grateful to Mike Wood for his time and for understanding how innovative health-tech can support patients up and down the country.”

William Lee, Head of Policy at the British Healthcare Trades Association, says:

“Everyone should have access to the tools and equipment to live in comfort in old age, with reduced mobility, or with ill-health. This is a challenging time for the healthcare manufacturing sector, and we hope Mike will take our concerns forward to safeguard the supply of vital medical products and devices in the UK to those who most need them.”