Hill Hiker, Inc. is a family company specializing in the design, manufacture, installation and service of inclined elevator systems also known as hillside trams, outdoor lifts or funiculars. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hill Hiker, Inc. has been serving the World with our award winning American made systems since 1997.
Quality | Safety | Reliability
By focusing on our client’s specific needs, Hill Hiker, Inc. has established a reputation for excellence in quality, safety and reliability of our inclined elevator equipment. Hill Hiker® Hillside Lifts are well designed, functional and aesthetically pleasing while meeting or exceeding both national and international code requirements. Hill Hiker Inc. can handle your project from planning and permitting to manufacture and installation.
Design | Manufacture | Install | Service
27
Years In Business
580
Systems Installed
42
US & Canadian States / Provinces & Territories
14
Countries
Founding
Hill Hiker, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Bill and Laurel MacLachlan with the vision to create a better outdoor lift system that would lead the industry in quality, safety and reliability.
They drew on 15 years of elevator industry experience, and the engineering expertise of Laurel’s father, Noel Davis (MIT Engineering Graduate and Inventor)(pictured above), to develop an innovative and award-winning design known worldwide for its superior functionality and attractive appearance.
1997 - 2000: Founding
1997 – Hill Hiker, Inc. founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota
1997 – First residential tram is installed on Lake Minnetonka, MN
1998 – First commercial lift is installed at a Eco Tourism resort in Belize
2000 – Hill Hiker® opens its own manufacturing shop in St. Cloud, MN
2001-2005: Milestones Reached
2001 – First golf course elevator is sold for Clifton Highland Golf Club in Prescott, WI
2002 – 100th system installed in Gull Lake, MN
2002 – Longest lift installed to date (505ft) in Belize
2003 – First lift in Alaska installed in Juneau
2004 – Hill Hiker® is featured on Today’s Family, a TV program
2005 – First Hill Hiker® on Catalina Island, CA is installed
2006-2010: Increased Capabilities
2006 – Hill Hiker® moves to bigger manufacturing shop in Annadale, MN
2007 – First Industrial application is constructed at hydro-utility plant in NH
2007 – Steepest lift (80 degree incline) to date is installed on St. Thomas, USVI
2008 – First camp retreat job is installed for Camp Maria Retreat Center in MD
2009 – First public school job is installed for Anna Arundel Public Schools in MD
2009 – Hill Hiker® acquires new heavy equipment (press break and shear) to improve shop capabilities
2010 – First job in Australia is installed in Sidney
2011-2015: Expanding Operations
2011 – First lift in the Bahamas is installed in Exuma
2012 – First state park job is installed for Ozark Folk Center in AK
2013 – First federal government job is installed for the Smithsonian in Panama
2014 – Hill Hiker, Inc. expands operations adding dealers in key markets.
2015 – Hill Hiker, Inc. has a record year! First year with over 30 systems sold.
2016-2020: Award Winning
2016 – Hill Hiker, Inc. has another record year tying 2015 with 34 systems sold. Added another full-time installation crew to keep up with demand.
2017 – Celebrating 20 years in business! Added 4 new employees to help boost production.
2018 – Continuing to grow Hill Hiker, Inc. invests in 3 new work trucks.
2019 – Hill Hiker, Inc. lands its biggest single project to date and its first ever project in the Middle East.
2020 – Hill Hiker, Inc. wins a prestigious Ellies Elevator Industry award for “Best Supplier: Special Application Lifts”.
2021+: Future Focus
2021 – Hill Hiker, Inc. wins the Project of the Year Award for the Inclined Elevators category in Elevator World magazine’s annual contest. The project in Mazatlan, Mexico lands on the cover of the magazine.
2022 – Hill Hiker, Inc. wins the prestigious Ellies Elevator Industry award for “Best Supplier: Special Application Lifts”, for the third year in a row. Hill Hiker, Inc. wins the Project of the Year Award for the Inclined Elevators category in Elevator World magazine’s annual contest. The project in Panora, Iowa features several new innovations.
2023 – Hill Hiker, Inc. wins the Project of the Year Award for the Inclined Elevators category in Elevator World magazine’s 26th annual contest. The project in Dubai, UAE features 2 state of the art inclined elevators installed inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion building for the EXPO 2020 event.
Versatile Lift Systems
The first Hill Hiker® Lift system was installed on the hilly shore of Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. Since then, the Hill Hiker® product line has grown to include versatile lift systems manufactured to stand up to all climates and terrains — from the tropical rainforests of South America to the freezing tundra of northern Minnesota and Alaska.
Worldwide Service
Today, residential and commercial customers worldwide enjoy the comfortable ride, advanced safety features and reliable performance that only a Hill Hiker® incline lift system provides. Hill Hiker, Inc. can handle your project from planning and permitting to manufacture and installation.
Team
Bill
President
Bill’s expertise and passion is in sales and product development. Bill brings a lot of energy and drive to the company.
Bill founded Hill Hiker, Inc. in 1997 with help from his wife Laurel and other family members. Bill has vast sales and industry knowledge and experience in manufacturing and construction as well as the elevator industry.
Laurel
Vice President
Laurel currently handles all of the accounting and HR for the company among many other duties.
Laurel helped Bill found Hill Hiker, Inc. in 1997 and has been with the company since day one. Laurel is very focused and grounded and the guiding force behind the company. She complements Bill's raw energy and passion perfectly.
Duncan
General Manager
As a "Jack of all trades", Duncan is involved in operations, marketing, projects, R&D, design, finance, etc.
Duncan, the son of Bill and Laurel, has worked on and off for Hill Hiker as an installer since 2004 but came aboard full-time in 2013. With a business degree from the Carlson School of Management and a Construction Management degree also from the University of Minnesota, Duncan brings unique experience and education.
Adam
Installation & Service Director
Adam's leadership, attention to detail and product knowledge and experience is unmatched .
Adam first worked for Hill Hiker® in 2005 as an installer. After college and working as an airline mechanic Adam rejoined Hill Hiker® in 2015. He is now head of installation and service, where he coordinates our crew of installers and oversees Hill Hiker®'s new installs and major service work from start to finish.
Aaron
Production Director
Aaron is a craftsman concerned with quality workmanship and is a master at building and creating Hill Hiker® lifts.
Aaron joined Hill Hiker® in 2011 as a welder. Since then he has worked his way up to head of production. Aaron oversees all Hill Hiker® production and manages the entire manufacturing process including: ordering raw materials, fabrication, finish, assembly, QC testing, packaging and shipping.
Harrison
Accounts Manager and Safety Director
Harrison is a great asset helping wherever needed while also leading Hill Hiker safety efforts.
Harrison joined Hill Hiker in 2018. Harrison works with both the sales and project management teams to assist in customer satisfaction and project success. He also leads the safety initiatives at Hill Hiker.
Dalton
Installation & Service Manager
Dalton's energy, leadership and craftsmanship make him a true asset leading our crews in the field.
Dalton started with Hill Hiker® in 2017 as a welder. His strong skill set and desire to learn and grow soon lead him to a primary role as an installer in the field. He is now our top field manager running both install and service crews on jobs across the country and internationally.
Mercy
Administrative Assistant
Mercy has been a great help in the office and keeps everyone organized and on track.
Mercy joined the Hill Hiker® team in 2012. Mercy has prior work experience as a legal assistant and financial assistant and is fluent in Spanish. Mercy currently handles many different duties which include invoicing, quotes, and answering phones.
Traci
Shop Office Manager
Traci is a organized task master helping keep the production shop running smoothly.
Traci joined Hill Hiker in 2017. Traci works out of the Hill Hiker Manufacturing shop in Annandale, MN. She operates as a conduit between the main office and the shop, helps plan daily production and handles material ordering and shipping.
