Gartec proudly announce the New Aritco 9000 Cabin Lift…A platform lift with fully enclosed lift car

Combining the feel of a passenger lift with the ease of installation and cost benefits of a platform lift.

The Aritco 9000 Cabin Lift is our first lift to be so closely aligned to a conventional lift and yet there is no comparison; working out at around 60% of the cost of a typical passenger lift installation.

> Builders' work reduced at a stroke  - no need for a structural lift shaft

> No deep pit - saving £1,000's on the lift pit construction costs

> We do the work for you - no need for you to provide a lifting beam for installation

> All the benefits of a platform lift (75mm pit, 2400mm headroom) with the added  comfort of an enclosed lift car

> Enhanced passenger experience - 'single touch' operation, normally only seen in a conventional lift car

> Meets platform lift criteria within - Part M, the EC Machinery Directive and helps your client achieve Equality Act compliance

> 3 days installation time - compared with 2-3 weeks for a conventional lift

> Reduce your building's carbon footprint and energy consumption - in use, the energy consumption of the lift is similar to that of a hair dryer. When idle, it uses virtually no energy at all. Therefore building energy costs can be reduced  significantly by specifying an Aritco 9000 Cabin lift.

Elevators that have been breaking records around the world

Gartec have looked further afield than platform lifts and created an infographic showing elevators that have broken records with them being some of the highest, fastest, busiest, or largest elevators in the world.

We hope you found the record breaking stats interesting, if you decide to use the image on your site or share it online we'd love to hear about it, drop us an email to sales@gartec.com

Gartec scores at Barratt Homes' Hayes Stadium development

Barratt Homes selected Gartec to install seven platform lifts at their major new housing development at Hayes Stadium, West London.  Barratt were constructing a number of low-cost homes within the 180 residence development, to be managed by Family Mosaic Housing Association.  Seven of these low cost homes were designated for people with physical disabilities and therefore wheelchair access was required to the first floor of the houses.

The Prime 4000 lift was specified as it has been designed with the home environment in mind; its compact footprint fitted well within the limited space of a domestic setting and the sleek Scandinavian design complemented the interior décor of the homes.  The Prime 4000 is also simple to maintain and operate, with push button controls for ease of use.

As the lifts were not specified until close to the handover deadline, the Gartec team worked to a tight schedule to ensure the lifts were installed on time and to budget.  The Gartec team wrestled to overcome power supply issues on the building site, but successfully met the demanding programme, with each lift still only taking two days each to install.

Kerry Stanton from Gartec commented:  "The Prime 4000 lift was a perfect solution for Barratt Homes.  Our knowledge of this sector meant that the right lifts were specified and installed promptly.  The first residents have now moved in to their new homes and the lifts have made a huge difference to their everyday lives".

Gartec's comprehensive experience throughout the UK of installing lifts in the home environment - in both social housing schemes and private homes - constantly informs the design of their platform lifts.  A new range with enhanced features is due to be launched in May 2012.

Prime 4000 in the home environment

The Queen officially re-opens the Cutty Sark

The historic ship, the Cutty Sark, was officially opened to the public by Her Majesty The Queen on 25th April, after the completion of a £50 million restoration project by the Cutty Sark Trust.

The tea clipper is now elevated so that visitors can see it from underneath as well as climb aboard, and a new exhibition space has been created in the dry berth under the ship. Gartec was selected by Apollo Lifts to assist them in providing the solution for the lift requirements on this project.

Gartec supplied three Prime 7000 platform lifts for the scheme, enabling DDA access throughout. One of the lifts is positioned within the ship itself enabling access to three deck levels; and the other two are positioned at the bow and the stern, linking the exhibition space in the dry berth to the lower deck level viewing platform. Whilst aboard, Her Majesty took a ride in one of the lifts.

Gartec's Installation Manager Ian Brewer, who accompanied Her Majesty and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in the lift commented, "It was a great privilege to be involved in such an inspiring project, and a thrill that Gartec should fully meet the clients expectations. Today was a truly unforgettable day."

Ian was responsible for the installation team who was on hand to give advice and technical solutions throughout the project, and reflected, "Part of the satisfaction of this project comes from overcoming the many challenges posed by a ship of this age with such low available head height on deck. For example, it was necessary to design and manufacture a special low height door to fit between decks, and that required the necessary permissions and subsequent approval from the notified body DNV, which we pursued, and were granted."      

The flexibility of Gartec's range of platform lifts provides many opportunities to customise each lift, making it the perfect choice for facilitating access in any prestigious public space. In this case Apollo lifts, in discussion with the architect, specified bespoke glazing panels of nearly 2.5 metres in height and a special RAL paint colour for the shaft to complement their overall design scheme.

Building Contractors McGoff & Byrne Ltd selected Gartec to install a platform lift into Loreto Grammar School's latest building project.  Extending the building from two stories to three, allowed the Cheshire-based school to significantly increase its usable teaching space and the addition of a new platform lift ensured access for all pupils and staff.

The Prime 7000XT lift was specified with a particular user group in mind - school children.  Thus Gartec recommended features to suit the environment, a School Locking Facility to lock the lift to non-keyholders, and anti-tamper buttons designed for robust usage.  From a project design principle, it was also essential the lift fitted in with the elegant design of the school extension; to this end Gartec's highly recommended glazed shaft system was selected.

The school wished to utilise as much of the internal building space as possible, so working with the contractors, architects and the school, Gartec recommended locating the lift externally, anchoring it to the new glazed atrium of the school. This threw up several challenges for the Gartec team to overcome.  Firstly, new fixing points had to be designed to anchor the lift to the atrium's steel beams.  Secondly, to minimise heat loss from the building, composite insulation panels were installed replacing some glazed sections covering the lift machinery. 

The installation of the platform lift has allowed the school to maximise its limited space to the full and ensured access for all potential users, as required by the Equalities Act.  Additionally, the lift's modern Scandinavian design means it blends seamlessly with the design of the glazed atrium.

The project handover took place in February 2012.

Stuart Moore from building contractor McGoff & Byrne Ltd commented: 

"Having successfully worked with Gartec on a number of previous projects, we knew exactly what to expect. The installation of the Prime 7000XT at Loreto Grammar School highlighted how good team work, technical expertise and a well-designed product can all come together to produce a positive end result and a satisfied client."

Isn't it sometimes good to give something back?

That is the view of a few Gartec employees who have taken it upon themselves to raise money for a local charity - The Florence Nightingale Hospice.

The challenge:

The Nuts challenge located in Dorking, Surrey, is an adventure course originally designed by personnel from the British Special Forces. As you would expect, it's a formidable course full of obstacles such as climbing walls, river crossings, tunnels and swings etc totaling a distance of 7km.

After the first circuit, those feeling brave enough can attempt the course again - they will be known as the Mixed Nuts, Complete Nuts can try it 3 times or the Tough Nuts 4 times!! http://www.thenutschallenge.co.uk/ . 

Currently we're unsure how nuts our employees are!

The Charity:

The Florence Nightingale Hospice is located at Stoke Mandeville, just 2 miles from Gartec's head office.  Family members of a number of Gartec employees have benefited from the Hospice's first class specialist palliative care service.

Accessible and free of charge to those with a life-limiting illness, the hospice care is all about the person being more than a patient and finding ways to improve quality of life through symptom control, pain relief, emotional and spiritual support. Families and close friends are also involved as they are often central to the well-being of those in our care. The link to the web site with more details is http://www.fnhospice.org.uk/.

Wishing all our team the best of luck in completing the Nuts Challenge on the 3rd March 2012

As Home Building and Renovating Magazine points out clearly in their February 2012 edition (www.homebuilding.co.uk), single storey living may be the ideal for a lifetime home, but it's an expensive building form compared to multi-storey homes, and can require a larger plot.

Access need not be a difficulty in a multi-storey property, however, if a domestic lift is installed.

The article in Home Building and Renovating, includes 10 Golden Rules for designing a home for life, with number 2 of the golden rules - to fit a lift. The article linked below highlights just how one such family went about the process, using a Gartec platform lift.

To read the article click here

For more information on how to integrate a Gartec platform lift into your home please contact sales@gartec.com

Mezzanine floors and more

HomeStore & More, part of the Home Retail Group whose other retail formats include Homebase and Argos, opened its first UK concept store in Aylesbury in 2007.  The successful opening was closely followed by two others in Cambridge and Abingdon, with Gartec supplying platform lifts to all three of the stores.

The stores, all sited in retail parks, featured a mezzanine floor to maximise trading space and these needed to be fully and easily accessible to all customers and to ensure the company complied with DDA legislation as well as allowing the carriage of office goods.

The store planners selected Gartec's Prime 7000 FLEXI because of its versatility and reliability.  Its small footprint meant that it took up minimal valuable trading floor area and was very straightforward to install.

The Gartec team worked flexibly with the other trades on site and both in and out of trading hours, to ensure minimal disruption. The installations were complete within two days and the lifts have functioned consistently ever since.

International outdoor clothing company Patagonia selected Gartec to install a platform lift into their new flagship Covent Garden store which opened in September 2011.  

 The Covent Garden location provided several challenges for the Gartec team to overcome, including arranging access for the Hiab vehicle delivery, an inherently tricky basement installation, and a narrow available space of just 1405mm wide in which to fit the lift. Despite the challenges, Gartec was able to meet Patagonia's tight shop-fitting schedule, fitting a Prime 7000 platform lift, specified with the best footprint to make good use of the available space.

Patagonia worked with the Gartec design team to customise the Prime 7000 platform lift to complement the store concept. Glazing and a minimalist white frame, coupled with over-cladding designed by the retailer, ensured the lift tied in seamlessly with the design ethos of the central London store.

The installation of the platform lift has meant that the trading area of the store has been maximised to its fullest potential; now fully accessible to all shoppers; the basement area is no longer costly wasted space. The lift also ensures Patagonia meets the required legislation

Dean Robinson, from Gartec Ltd commented:

"This was indeed a challenging environment for an installation, however, we believe we obtained a very rewarding result. Design being of utmost importance to this client, they were impressed that we could tick all the boxes of style and functionality, yet could install the lift and allow them to be open for business on schedule. "

A Gartec platform lift has been chosen to be an integral part of a new extension and refurbishment to the Coca Cola can manufacturing plant in Sidcup, Kent.

The lift installation, completed in four days, saw the Prime 7000 Platform lift located in an external environment, enabling access to the top landing of the building without compromising the internal footprint of the building.  The Prime 7000 was customised with a glazed shaft to provide an open, pleasant environment for the passengers to cover the unusually high 10.5metre high ride, which the Prime 7000 covers with ease.

In addition, the Gartec lift has ensured that Coca Cola meets the guidelines laid out within the Equality Act, giving easy access around the plant to all Coca Cola employees and visitors.  Paul Britton of Interaction said

"Gartec's project management team ensured the lift was delivered, installed and commissioned successfully and on schedule.   We are looking forward to more hassle-free lift installations with Gartec in the future."

Crispin Satchell, Gartec's Sales Manager commented

"Our Prime 7000 platform lift really came into its own on this project.  It was customised to fit the client's requirements and is a reliable, cost-effective and easy to fit solution to ensure they meet DDA legislation and make their premises fully accessible."

Gartec is very pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Claringbold as the company's new Trade Sales Executive.

With 10 years of lift industry experience, Peter is a valued addition to our organisation, tasked with creating even greater ties with our trade partner companies.

Gartec have now launched two new lifts to add to the Prime Series - The Mini 7000 & the Micro 4000.

The MINI 7000, a new smaller platform size for the 7000- series. The platform measures 900x1040 mm and can travel 250 to 13000 mm. It is the smallest platform size of the 7000 series which makes it suitable for the home market.

Large glass door, double glass door, half height door with glass and fireproof doors (EI60) of 800 mm width are available for both 900 mm and the 1040 mm sides.

It has a maximum load of 250 kg / 2 persons. We can offer a power supply of 400V 3-phase or 230 V 1 phase.

The MICRO 4000 is a new smaller platform size for the Prime 4000 series. The platform measures only 580x805 mm and can travel 250 to 13000 mm. It is the smallest platform lift on the market and is suitable for installations in limited living areas.

Large glass door and double hinged glass door with 800 mm width are available for the new platform size.

It has a maximum load of 250 kg / 2 persons. Power supply: 230 V 1 phase.

Would you like to work for Gartec?

We are looking for a Trade Salesperson to maintain and establish business relationships with lift companies in the UK. Further details can be found in the Gartec career section of the website and if you think this role would suit you, please contact our sales manager, Crispin Satchell.

Due to further development on our Platform Lifts, Gartec are proud to announce the arrival of Centre Opening Doors which are now available on our Prime 7000 and Prime 4000 lifts.

Provided with automatic openers as standard, this stylish new door design reduces the impact of the doors onto the landing area.

If you require any further information please email sales@gartec.com or call 01296 397 100.

Gartec is pleased to announce as from the 1st May 2011 the inclusion of Internal Door Closers as standard.

Giving a much improved look to the doors, concealing the closer has long been an option with Gartec, however our philosophy of continuous improvement means we now include these as standard.

We hope you enjoy the benefit!

Ashville Surgery in Parsons Green, London needed to comply with the Equality Act 2010. Patients with limited mobility were unable to access the first floor of the Georgian two storey building, so Patrick Lewis Architects Ltd selected Gartec to retrofit the Prime 7000 platform lift into the surgery's premises.

The Prime 7000 was chosen as it is the ideal lifting platform for public and commercial buildings, teaming practicality with reliability and classic Scandinavian design. As the Prime 7000 finish can be customised to suit any environment, the architects specified glass walls to complement the surgery's open reception area.

The Gartec team worked very closely with the structural engineers, architects and builder to overcome the difficulties thrown up by a building nearly two hundred years old. Despite the installation being complex, the lift was installed within three days and on budget.

Patrick Lewis Architects Ltd commented:  "This was a complicated project but the Gartec team worked proficiently and professionally with all parties involved to achieve an outstanding result. The surgery is now DDA compliant and patients with mobility difficulties can now reach all public areas."

Gartec is very pleased to announce Gillian Rudert is the company's new Internal Sales Administrator.

Usually the first person to speak to when clients call in, we are sure you will find Gillian exceedingly efficient and most helpfull.

Gartec are giving away 10 bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne to celebrate the launch of our new website. For a chance to win one, click the Prize Draw Button on the homepage and answer the question.

We hope you enjoy visiting our new website - good luck!

Designed to make specifying your lift easier, our ready made NBS specification allows you to include the platform lift details more quickly.

Whether the Prime Series platform lift is intended for domestic or commercial environments, a suitable NBS specification can be downloaded from the product pages.

For projects requiring the quickest possible turnaround, you can count on Gartec to perform. Delivery and installation is achievable in as little as 4 weeks from placing your order.

Gartec lifts now have 'single touch' call stations from landings - all part of the new EC Machinery Directive.

Gartec provides 3 platform lifts for the prestigious Ryder Cup event. Order to installation in just 17 days.

EN81-41 Platform Lift European Standard: Gartec is the first platform lift company to announce full compliance.