Our Story
Family Owned & Operated Since 1975
Handi-Lift, Inc. has provided Accessibility with Dignity to its neighbours in the New York, New Jersey area for over 50 years. Handi-Lift’s core business is the design, installation, and maintenance of vertical and inclined platform lifts in public buildings and homes.
Since the beginning of the company, Handi-Lift has helped architects, general contractors and building owners, who often aren’t the users of our equipment, to ensure that we design and install the most appropriate accessibility solution for the building. We will tackle the toughest challenges, be aggressive and honest in all our communication, and raise the bar for the industry. It’s all part of our mission to honor the God-given dignity of all the people with and for whom we work.
Handi-Lift has worked in some of the most prestigious buildings in New York City metropolitan area. Commonly requested elements for these projects are bare-edge glass, millwork, stainless steel, color-matched paint, and hidden masts. These elements help the platform lifts to match or blend into the rest of the building’s architecture, so it looks like part of the design rather than an afterthought.
Beginning of A Story
Pre-1975
Don and Daphne and three children move from Casper Wyoming to New Hartford NY to work for Don’s father in law Al Tenny who founded Mohawk Elevator in Utica NY in 1950.
Al Tenny sells Mohawk Elevator To Armor Elevator and Don becomes the branch manager upon Al’s retirement.
Armor Elevator closes the branch in Utica NY and transfers Don to their Woodside Queens facility where he becomes sales manager and moves his family to NJ.
The Beginning of Handi-Lift
1970s
Handi-Lift, Inc. is incorporated by Don, Daphne and Doug Boydston and began operations from the basement and garage of the Boydston home in Mahwah, NJ as Doug Graduated College in 1976.
Don has back surgery and is laid up for 30 days. Doug helped during the summer, and Daphne became the installer, driver, freight handler and general contractor while Don recovered.
Handi-Lift partners with Garaventa as the exclusive representative to sell the Garaventa Stair Lift “GSL-1”, a partnership that would last to this day.
Moving and Expanding
1980s
Outgrowing the home office, Handi-Lift moved to Wyckoff, NJ. The new offices were built inside garages on West Main Street.
Handi-Lift opens a branch operation in FL, which would last until 1990, when Don and Daphne retire to Florida.
Handi-Lift is ranked the #1 dealer for Garaventa. They would be the top dealer for Garaventa every year the next 33 years.
New Leadership
1990s
As accessibility became a requirement Doug's expertise in the safety code was critical to help architects design lifts that meet requirements and look appropriate for the space.
After Don has a health emergency, Doug takes over business, leading the company through a difficult season.
After further growth, Handi-Lift moves to Paulison Ave in Clifton to a 5,500 sq. ft. facility.
Handi-Lift wins its first award for design from Elevator World Magazine for the lift installed in the Lincoln Center.
Moving to Carlstadt
2000s
Handi-Lift moves to Carlstadt, NJ into a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, which becomes its new and current home.
Doug Boydston is elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elevator Contractors, and was selected as President in 2005.
Handi-Lift wins another design award for the Garaventa Artira installed at the historical Puck Building in New York City.
James Takes the Reins
2010s
James acquired the company from Doug and has kept the mission of Accessibility with Dignity alive, as the third Boydston to head the family business since its inception.
Doug Boydston receives the New York City Mayor's Office for the People with Disabilities Sapolin Award.
James Boydston was elected to serve a 3 year term on the board of directors for AMEA promoting safety and excellence in the accessibility industry
Handi-Lift wins Elevator World Magazine Design Award for the installation of a custom platform lift at Pembroke Properties in Washington DC.
Building The Future
2020s
James Boydston served a 3 year term on the NAEC board of directors following after his father. He served the NAEC as a board member through a few difficult years
Handi-Lift kept operations running while construction was shut down in NYC and performed essential on site work through all phases of COVID 19 rules and measures
Today
Friday, 21 February 2025
Solutions for Any Scenario
We have the knowledge and experience required to work with architects and engineers on all kinds of commercial accessibility solutions.
We work in some of the most amazing buildings in the New York metropolitan area and beyond, designing custom solutions with every detail matched to aesthetic of the building.
We love getting to work directly with people that actually need and use our lifts. Our solutions enable people with mobility impairments to live freely.
We deliver accessibility with dignity through comprehensive solutions, not just wheelchair lifts, for both commercial and residential needs.