Thyessen Krupp

1947 ThyssenKrupp Access began as American Stair-Glide in 1947 in the basement of a Kansas City entrepreneur who developed the Stair-Glide Stair Lift. 1968 Marion Laboratories, a growing pharmaceutical company in Kansas City, purchases American Stair-Glide as one of its subsidiary companies in its "health care products group." The company sets about building a nationwide dealer network to market the company's only product: the Stair-Glide Stair Lift. Once the foundation for a nationwide dealer network was established, the next step was to offer additional lines of equipment that would benefit the elderly and disabled customer. Here are some highlights of the growth and expansion that the company has taken over the ensuing 35 plus years: 1974 American Stair-Glide enters the Vertical Platform Lift market when the Porch-Lift is introduced. This lift is now available in six models designed to provide a person in a wheelchair, or one with limited mobility, with a means to get in and out of a private residence, school, church, business or other public buildings. 1980 Marion Laboratories makes the decision to divest their interest in all subsidiaries and concentrate on the pharmacy business. A management led investor group then acquires the company. 1988 American Stair-Glide enters the Residential Elevator market with the Minivator Through the Floor Lift. This elevator offers accessibility between two levels of a home. 1989 American Stair-Glide enters the Inclined Platform Lift market with the Carrier-Lift . This accessibility product was designed to transport a person in a wheelchair or sitting on the platform seat over single and multiple flight staircases with landings and multiple levels in public buildings.