30 Years of Design Excellence

Aritco is celebrating 30 years of design innovation, marking three decades of transforming the lift industry from purely functional equipment into sophisticated design statements. As the company reaches this milestone, we explore how Scandinavian design principles, value-based partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability have shaped their remarkable journey.

To understand this evolution, we spoke with Petra Lind, Product Manager at Aritco, who provided valuable insights into the company’s design philosophy and vision.

At the heart of Aritco’s design philosophy lies a fundamental Scandinavian principle that has guided the company since its inception. “From the start, we have had the philosophy to merge function and simplicity, not adding things just to add them,” explains Petra.

This utilitarian approach, deeply rooted in Scandinavian design heritage, has become Aritco’s signature, creating lifts that are both beautiful and purposeful.

The company’s commitment to its Nordic heritage extends beyond philosophy to partnerships. By collaborating primarily with Scandinavian designers – like Alexander Lervik and Evelina Kroon – Aritco ensures authenticity in their design language.

The launch of the Aritco HomeLift in 2016 marked a pivotal moment in the company’s design journey, reimagining what a home lift could be.

The transformation was catalyzed by a collaboration with Alexander Lervik, the renowned Swedish interior and furniture designer. “We wanted the lift to be more like a piece of furniture. Something that really fits in the home, instead of just a functional addition,” Petra explains.

What made this collaboration particularly successful was the close integration between design vision and engineering reality. This delicate dance ensured that aesthetic ambitions never compromised the lift’s primary purpose.

Aritco’s commitment to personalization has consistently set them apart in the industry, offering options that allow customers to create truly unique installations. Recent innovations include the ability to add personal images to DesignWalls, customize lighting and design schemes, select flooring materials, ceiling lights and more.

This level of customization extends beyond aesthetics to practical considerations, with options ranging from compact solutions for small apartments to larger access systems for commercial spaces, ensuring that Aritco’s design-forward approach is accessible across diverse applications.

Sustainability is also central to Aritco’s design decisions, influencing not just how a lift looks, but how it’s built and what it’s made from.

Petra explains that every design partner must share Aritco’s values. “Take Bolon, for example, who we work with on flooring. They’re committed to sustainability, using 68% recycled materials and other initiatives in the production of their flooring. We’re focused on materials that last, that are circular, and that help us reduce our overall footprint.”

What began as a unique approach has now influenced an entire industry. “In the beginning, we stood out. But now, I would say, many of the competitors have adopted our design-forward approach,” Petra acknowledges. Rather than viewing this as a challenge, Aritco sees it as validation of their vision and motivation to continue innovating.

“The competition is good, because we are challenged by the competitors so that we always get better,” Petra reflects.

Looking ahead, Aritco sees lifts becoming even more seamlessly integrated into homes and commercial spaces, combining emerging technologies with sustainable materials, while always staying true to the belief that form and function must go hand in hand.

While specific future innovations remain under wraps, Petra hints at exciting developments. “We have a lot of ideas. But nothing that I can mention now. But yeah, we have some ideas,” she says with a smile.

As Aritco enters its fourth decade, the company continues to balance its Scandinavian heritage with forward-thinking innovation. The next 30 years promise to be just as transformative, as the company that once stood alone in prioritizing design continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in lift technology and aesthetics.