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About Us

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.

Hill Hiker 1997 Vintage Logo
Hill Hiker Inc, 1997 to 2024, 27 years in business anniversary
Hill Hiker Current Logo

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

Hill Hiker Inc Team Photo 2019
Hill Hiker Shop Team having a production meeting
Hill Hiker Inc Install Team Photo 2019
Hill Hiker Inc Team Funny Photo 2019