Impact Report 2025 Sustainability in motion
Circular by design. Enabling independence at home
2025 was a year of growth and awareness for Otolift. A year in which we took important steps to future-proof our organisation. For our customers, our employees, and the world around us.
It is with pride that I present our very first impact report. This is more than a document; it marks a significant moment in which sustainability becomes a visible and measurable part of who we are. I believe this makes for a compelling read, but above all, it demonstrates how firmly we have embedded sustainability into our strategy and day-to-day operations.
Sustainability is, in fact, at the core of what we do. Our stairlifts enable people to continue living safely and comfortably in their own homes. In doing so, we contribute every day to the independence, quality of life, and wellbeing of thousands of people. The way we design, produce, and maintain these products is evolving rapidly. In 2025, we gave further shape to our sustainability ambitions and made them a fully integral part of our strategy.
Our circular business model, based on modular design, refurbishment and reuse, is the foundation of our sustainability strategy. An increasing number of components are being redeployed, keeping materials in use for longer and preventing waste. Parts are given a second life, customers benefit from shorter delivery times, and we significantly reduce our ecological footprint. Modular design also makes maintenance and replacement simpler, extending the lifespan of our products further. This is a movement we will continue to accelerate in the years ahead.
We have also taken concrete steps toward our CO₂ reduction goals, including the transition to 100% renewable electricity in the Netherlands and investments in electrifying our vehicle fleet. We continue to critically examine energy use across our production and logistics operations, ensuring that we keep driving down our emissions in a structural way. These are tangible examples of how we are improving our impact.
Our people and culture are equally central to our sustainability journey. Safety, inclusion, craftsmanship, and development are the cornerstones of our organisation. With the introduction of the Otolift Academy, strengthened safety standards, and a sharper focus on ownership, we are building an organisation that is ready for the future. We are deliberately investing in knowledge, skills, and leadership, so that our employees can grow alongside the changes taking place in our industry.
This report offers a transparent account of where we stand and where we are headed. We show the steps we have already taken, but also where opportunities remain for further improvement. I am proud of what we have achieved together. We will continue to invest in circularity, safety, innovation, and people.
Because we want to create value for future generations.
Dirk Smulders
CEO Royal Otolift Stairlifts
Every Otolift exists to help someone keep moving, safely and comfortably, in the home they love. In 2025, we took meaningful steps to set up our sustainability strategy, scale our refurbishment program, and stay on track toward our climate targets.
people helped worldwide across 58 countries to live independently.
Across 58 countries
100% of our stairlifts are designed for circularity.
Foundation of our model
of electricity from renewable sources. 64% 32% of the global fleet is now electric or hybrid.
engineers graduated from the newly opened Otolift Academy. 28 of workforce has a distance to the labour market. 5% - 59% lower carbon footprint with a refurbished stairlift compared to a new one. absolute CO₂ reduction since 2023. - 19% 96.5% of our waste is either recycled or converted into energy. The case for circularity On our SBTi pathway Ahead of target New in 2025 Ahead of 3.5% target
1. About the company
1.1 Company profile
With our products, stairlifts designed for every type of staircase, both indoors and outdoors, we make accessibility possible for people all around the world. Our goal is to help everyone live safely and comfortably in their beloved home, supported by innovation and personal attention.
Together, we have helped more than 500,000 people in 58 countries continue living safely in their familiar surroundings. And that number grows every day. In Europe we are leading and internationally we are gaining ground. That’s something to be proud of. Because behind every number and every stairlift, there’s a story; a story of teamwork, innovation and dedication. Together, we make the difference.
We distinguish ourselves not only by what we make, but by how we make it. Our products are designed to be reused, refurbished, and reconfigured. This keeps materials in use across multiple lifecycles. This circular approach is rooted in the craftsmanship and dedication of our people, and in the care we bring to every customer.
Otolift factory the Netherlands Lekdijk, Bergambacht
Otolift owns a total of
15,000 m2 of factory space where our circular stairlifts are manufactured.
Both our unique rail and comfortable chair are
Otolift: facts and figures different countries. 58 manufactured in-house. 100%
Otolift Stairlifts are available in
Otolift in numbers
employees delivering mobility solutions worldwide.
an Otolift is being installed somewhere in the world.
Products 2025.
Modul-Air Smart
Stairlift for curved staircases
Otolift Line
Stairlift for straight staircases
Royal Otolift Stairlifts
Serving Customers Worldwide
Otolift Locations.
Our headquarters, factory and Otolift Academy are located in Bergambacht, the Netherlands. This is where our stairlifts are developed, produced and coordinated for customers around the world.
The Otolift Academy supports this by aligning technical expertise and practical training across the organisation. Otolift also has offices in Belgium, France, Spain and Italy, alongside manufacturing facilities in Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Together, these locations support our circular business model by enabling local service, take-back programmes and refurbishment activities close to our customers, across Europe and beyond.
Enabling independence
Otolift Worldwide
.
Otolift supplies stairlifts in over 58 countries and is a trusted international partner. With a strong network of dealers and branches, we ensure the same high quality and service everywhere. Check the map to see where Otolift is active and discover how we make homes accessible worldwide.
1.2 ESG Strategy
At Otolift, sustainability is embedded in our core values and long-term vision. Our sustainability strategy is built on three foundational pillars — Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) — each guiding our actions toward a more responsible and resilient future.
Our Sustainability strategy is visually represented through a clear framework that highlights our three pillars:
• Environmental: We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint by reducing carbon emissions, optimizing energy use, and promoting circularity and resource efficiency throughout our operations and supply chain.
• Social: We strive to create a zero-incident workplace culture, where safety is a shared responsibility. Beyond physical safety, we foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity, equity, and employee well-being.
• Governance: We uphold high standards of corporate governance, with robust internal controls, reporting, and a strong compliance culture. Integrity and accountability are the cornerstones of how we operate and engage with stakeholders.
This structured approach ensures that sustainability is not just a standalone initiative, but a strategic driver of longterm value creation for Otolift, our employees, customers, and investors.
Governance
To ensure effective implementation and oversight of our sustainability strategy, we have established a dedicated ESG Committee, chaired by our Chief Financial Officer. This cross-functional team includes key decision-makers from across the organization ensuring that each strategic pillar is represented by subject matter experts. The committee meets quarterly to review progress, align on priorities, and respond to emerging sustainability challenges and opportunities.
We are also proud to include our investor, NPM Capital, as an active member of the committee. This collaboration strengthens our governance and brings valuable external insights to our sustainability journey.
The ESG Committee reports to the executive leadership team, ensuring that sustainability performance is regularly reviewed at the highest level. This also includes updates to the supervisory board.
Material topics
Understanding what matters most is essential to making meaningful progress. In 2024, Otolift conducted its first comprehensive Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) to identify the sustainability topics that are most relevant to our business and to society. The DMA was conducted in alignment with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It covered both:
• Impact materiality: How Otolift’s activities affect people, the environment, and the economy.
• Financial materiality: How sustainability-related risks and opportunities could affect Otolift’s financial performance and strategy.
The assessment included all fully consolidated entities within the Otolift Group and considered both our own operations and our upstream and downstream value chain.
We engaged a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure a balanced and informed view. Their input helped us identify and validate key sustainability impacts, risks, and opportunities (IROs) across our value chain.
The DMA followed a structured four-phase process:
• Value Chain Mapping – We mapped our full value chain to understand where impacts occur.
• IRO Identification – We compiled a long list of potential sustainability topics based on desk research and stakeholder interviews.
• IRO Assessment – Topics were scored based on severity, scope, likelihood, and irremediability.
• IRO Validation – Findings were reviewed and approved by Otolift’s executive team and shared with the Supervisory Board.
Thresholds were applied to determine which topics were material: only those with a severity and likelihood score above 3 were included.
Our Material Topics
The final list of material topics includes:
• Climate change mitigation
• Energy
• Circular economy
• Employee health and safety
• Social dialogue
• Training skills and development
• Data security & privacy
• Customer mobility
• Product quality and safety
These topics now guide our sustainability strategy and reporting, helping us stay focused on what truly matters to our business, our stakeholders, and the world around us.
2. Environment
2.1 GHG emissions
At Otolift, we understand the importance of doing our part to reduce our environmental impact. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a key part of our environmental strategy and reflects our commitment to protecting the planet for future generations. As a manufacturing company, our operations have an impact. That’s why we’re taking clear, measurable steps to reduce our footprint.
Since 2022, we’ve worked with independent consultants to measure and report our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This gives us a full picture of where our emissions come from, including direct operations, purchased energy, and emissions across our supply chain and product use.
Our approach is supported by our ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. This certification ensures that we have a structured process to identify, monitor, and reduce environmental impacts—including GHG emissions—across our operations. It helps us set clear objectives, comply with regulations, and continuously improve our performance. By embedding ISO 14001 into our management system, we make sure that emission reduction is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment.
What we’ve learned
Our emissions data shows that:
• Around 60% of our total emissions come from the materials used to produce new stairlifts, such as steel, aluminium, plastic, and drive units.
• Around 17% comes from the electricity used by stairlifts in customers’ homes.
• Around 8% is linked to our own manufacturing and operations.
Having this baseline helps us focus our efforts where they matter most and set realistic reduction targets.
Our targets
In 2024, we formally committed to a science-based emissions reduction target through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Our near-term target: to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 34% by 2031, against a 2023 baseline. This target aligns with the Paris Agreement ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
In addition to our long-term SBTi commitment, we have set cumulative intensity targets to track our progress between now and the SBTi target date. Against our 2023 baseline, we committed to bringing our combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions to no more than 75.5 kg CO₂e per stairlift produced by 2025, and our emissions from purchased goods to no more than 518.9 kg CO₂e per stairlift produced by 2025.
Our performance
In 2025, we made meaningful progress against our 2023 baseline, while also identifying clear gaps that will shape our priorities for the years ahead.
On Scope 2, our market-based emissions reached zero in 2025. This reflects two parallel efforts: the ongoing shift of our physical electricity supply toward renewable sources — including the move to fully renewable energy at our Dutch operations in 2024, and the procurement of European Guarantees of Origin (GOs) covering the remaining nonrenewable share of our electricity use. We view the GOs as a transitional instrument that supports renewable generation in the markets where we operate, alongside the continued work to expand our direct renewable supply, including the
planned solar installation at our Slovakian facility.
Combined with our Scope 1 emissions, this brought our Scope 1 and 2 intensity to 70.3 kg CO₂e per stairlift produced in 2025, ahead of our 75.5 kg CO₂e target. We recognise, however, that this outcome is largely attributable to the structural reduction in Scope 2. Looking beneath the headline figure, our Scope 1 emissions themselves rose by approximately 6% year-on-year, driven by higher diesel consumption linked to expanded commercial activity in our southern European markets, where fleet electrification is still in progress. With 32% of our global fleet now electric or hybrid, up from 17% in 2024, and a clear pathway to 100% electric cars by 2030, we expect Scope 1 to begin declining structurally in the years ahead. We recognise that further reductions in Scope 1 are now the principal lever for our continued progress.
12% reduction in our emissions from purchased goods per stairlift
Our Scope 3 emissions, which represent over 90% of our total footprint, declined year-on-year. The reduction was driven primarily by changes in our material mix. Most notably lower procurement volumes of steel and printed circuit board materials, both of which carry high embedded emissions. Our emissions from purchased goods per stairlift produced fell from 630 kg CO₂e in 2024 to 556 kg CO₂e in 2025, a 12% improvement. While this represents meaningful progress, it falls short of our 2025 target of 518.9 kg CO₂e per stairlift produced. Closing this gap will require continued procurement engagement, alongside the scale-up of our refurbishment programme, which directly reduces embedded emissions per stairlift delivered.
Looking forward, our priorities are clear: continuing fleet electrification, expanding renewable energy generation at our Slovakian facility, and deepening supplier engagement to reduce embedded emissions in the materials we purchase. We remain fully committed to our SBTi pathway, and to closing the gap on the targets we have not yet reached.
Our Actions
We’ve identified three key areas where we can make the biggest impact:
• Electrifying our vehicle fleet
Our fleet includes hundreds of vehicles used for transporting parts, servicing stairlifts, and employee travel, with a goal of 100% electric passenger cars by 2030. In the Netherlands, around half of our fleet is already electric or hybrid, and during 2025 we expanded our van fleet to meet stricter low-emission requirements in several European cities. Charging infrastructure remains a constraint in some markets, particularly for our service vans operating in rural service areas, but we continue to roll out electric vehicles wherever practicable as leases come up for renewal.
• Switching to renewable electricity
In 2024, we switched our Dutch operations to 100% locally sourced wind and solar energy. Building on this, we also began exploring solar panel installation at our Slovakian production facility to further increase our renewable share. That will be the largest single opportunity remaining to expand our direct renewable supply. Where direct sourcing is not yet feasible, primarily in our smaller commercial locations where energy contracts sit with landlords or building managers, we complement our physical renewable mix with European Guarantees of Origin. We continue to push for renewable energy sourcing whenever leases are renewed or renegotiated.
• Reducing the need for new materials through reuse
Our Modul-Air Smart stairlift is designed for reuse. When a stairlift is no longer needed by a customer, we collect it and refurbish usable parts for future installations. This reduces the need for new raw materials and therefore lowers our Scope 3 emissions related to purchased goods. As we scale up our takeback program, we also expect our scope 3 emissions to decrease significantly. In fact, the total footprint of a refurbished stairlift is 59% less than a new stairlift. For more information about our circular product design, see our next chapter.
2.2
Circular product design
At Otolift, we design our stairlifts with sustainability and efficiency in mind. Our Modul-Air Smart model is developed to enable short delivery times and long-term reuse. Unlike traditional stairlifts that are often discarded after use, our products are built to have multiple lifecycles which leads to reducing waste and contributing to a more circular economy.
Our engineers have developed a modular concept for the ModulAir Smart.
The chair consists of three main modules—seat, front frame, and drive unit—which can be configured with various modules, such as powered or manual swivel, and upholstery. When a stairlift is refurbished for a new user, these modules can be reconfigured to meet their specific needs.
For the rail we use a catalogue of 200+ standardized rail parts, which can be combined into customized configurations. This approach allows us to offer reusable yet customer-specific stairlifts, combining sustainability with customization
Our targets and performance
As sustainability becomes a priority for both Otolift and our customers, we have scaled up our operations to meet growing demand for both installation and removal. We expanded our removal teams, aligned processes across national and international locations, and upgraded our production facilities to support increased refurbishment capacity.
• In The Netherlands, we redesigned the factory layout to streamline refurbishment.
• In Slovakia, we will double the size of our production facility to accommodate future growth.
These investments reflect our commitment to circularity and customer service. Next to investment in our own capacity, we’re also working on raising awareness of our takeback program, in order to increase the number of stairlifts that ultimately flow back to our factories.
Otolift’s Take-back program
Our circulair stairlift process.
We believe that sustainability includes being there for our customers not only during installation and service, but also when the stairlift is no longer needed. That’s why we launched the Otolift take-back program: a key part of our circular product strategy.
Over the years, we’ve seen growing demand from customers and their families for assistance in removing stairlifts. In response, we expanded our take-back operations across the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy. Removal is often provided free of charge, and in many cases, we offer a buyback price for stairlifts that can be refurbished and reintroduced into our fleet to give them a second life with a new user.
Our circular stairlift explained.
Quality That Lasts for Decades
At Otolift, we believe it is a waste to let highquality materials go to waste. Our stairlifts are built to last and designed to be reused. The rail system of the Otolift Modul-Air consists of smart, modular components that can easily be dismantled after use. Each individual module is carefully inspected and refurbished before being combined with other components to create a new rail tailored to a different staircase. This results in a truly circular stairlift solution.
Confidence and a Better World
Choosing a refurbished Otolift stairlift means choosing both reliability and sustainability. Every pre-owned stairlift is thoroughly inspected and tested. Wearsensitive parts are replaced as standard. This ensures that every refurbished stairlift continues to offer the same high standards of safety, comfort and reliability.
1. Call for removal
Customers can contact their local Otolift support team to schedule the removal of their stairlift. In most cases, a removal date is arranged within a few days, ensuring a smooth and timely process.
2. Removal of the stairlift
One of our trained experts visits the customer’s home to safely remove the stairlift. The lift is carefully disassembled into its core components, ready to be refurbished and reconfigured for a new user.
6. A happy new customer
Once a new customer selects their preferred configuration, the refurbished chair and rails are assembled to match the layout of their home. An Otolift technician installs the stairlift and provides training to ensure safe and confident use.
5. Chair refurbishment
Following a technical inspection, the chair may receive replacement parts depending on its condition. It is then thoroughly cleaned and restored to full functionality, ensuring it looks and performs like new.
3. Return to Otolift
The stairlift is returned to an Otolift production facility for a thorough inspection. Rail parts and chair modules are checked for reuse, while unsuitable components are responsibly recycled through certified partners.
4. Rail refurbishment
Each rail part receives a fresh coating and, where needed, additional surface treatment. After refurbishment, the rail is indistinguishable from a new one, ready to be used in a new configuration.
2.3 Service & Repair
Our approach
Otolift’s approach to service and repair is designed to maximize the lifespan and safety of our stairlifts, while minimizing environmental impact. The technical lifespan of a stairlift is 10 years, but in practice this can be much longer. Regular maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of malfunctions and ensures continued safe operation for users.
At Otolift, every service visit is ultimately about enabling our customers to continue moving safely and independently in their homes. Our commitment to durability begins in the factory, where we use only high-quality components. Once installed, stairlifts are maintained through scheduled service visits, during which our technicians inspect multiple safety and performance points.
Our stairlifts are equipped with the latest generation batteries and maintenance-free motors, which reduce the need for frequent servicing and part replacements. Additionally, the rail does not require lubrication, allowing for faster and cleaner maintenance procedures.
We service a stairlift on average once per year. Wear parts are replaced when they are worn. Other parts are returned to Otolift to be checked and repaired or refurbished if possible. They are then shipped to our engineers in the field to be used again for other repairs.
Most common repairs are replacement of rollers, batteries and user generated errors like a customer who has dropped something between the chair and the rails. Our customer service is available 24/7 by phone to enable quick repairing and troubleshooting.
By prioritizing repair and preventive maintenance over replacement, Otolift contributes to circularity and resource efficiency. This approach reduces material use, avoids unnecessary production emissions, and supports our broader sustainability goals.
2.4 Waste reduction
As part of Otolift’s circular business model, minimizing waste is not an end in itself, but a result of how we design, produce, and reuse our products. By keeping materials in use for as long as possible, we reduce waste generation and preserve valuable resources across the entire lifecycle of our stairlifts.
Waste from products and components
We have minimal waste from our product itself. All components and stairlifts that are removed after use are first determined to be reused or refurbished. Only if a component does not meet Otolift’s strict quality standards, is it considered waste and does it go to certified waste management companies.
Special attention is given to batteries, which are increasingly used in modern stairlifts. Due to their environmental impact and safety risks, end-of-life batteries are handled separately from general waste. They are collected and handed over to certified partners for responsible processing in accordance with applicable regulations.
Production waste
Key waste streams during production include wastewater, plastic, steel, hazardous waste and residual waste. We are partnering with our waste carrier to explore possibilities to segregate more waste streams e.g. plastic.
Actions we have taken in 2025:
• A waste check was carried out by an external waste engineer to provide us insight into our waste separation behaviour and identify opportunities to improve CO2 impact of our waste streams.
• The pretreatment of steel rail parts with phosphate has an impact on waste water sewerage systems and subsequent emission to surface water. We are currently investigating an alternative pretreatment process that generates less wastewater and minimizes its impact on the environment.
Packaging
Our packaging mainly consists of cardboard and plastic, for the transportation and the protection of components. In vendor selection we assess transportation and packaging practices. In Slovakia, we are actively working with suppliers to implement multi-use packaging systems, allowing packaging to be returned and reused, reducing single-use waste and strengthening circularity in our supply chain.
During installation, our logistics partner delivers stairlift components to customers’ homes. All cardboard and plastic packaging is removed on-site and returned for recycling. This not only ensures a clean and welcoming environment for our users but also guarantees that packaging materials are properly recycled and do not contribute to household waste.
Actions we have taken in 2025:
• Fully transition to recycled or FSC certified packaging
• Implement reporting on packaging volume and materials at country-level
Otolift tracks waste generation across its two production sites in the Netherlands and Slovakia. Office locations are currently outside scope due to data availability.
In 2025, our combined production waste totalled 1,437 tonnes. We are pleased to report that 96.5% of this waste was diverted from landfill through recycling or energy recovery.
The large majority of our waste originates from our Slovakian facility, where steel and metal offcuts from stairlift production dominate the waste profile. Almost all of this metal is sent directly for recycling, keeping valuable materials in circulation. Our Dutch site generates a broader mix of waste streams — including paper, packaging, and lead-acid batteries from returned stairlifts — handled by certified partners covering both recycling and energy recovery.
Of the 3.5% of waste that went to disposal, the majority was municipal and welding waste sent to landfill in Slovakia, and a small fraction of hazardous waste in both locations that was safely incinerated in line with regulatory requirements.
3. Social
At Otolift, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a company committed to responsible growth and long-term value creation, we recognize that our workforce plays a central role in delivering quality, innovation, and service to our customers.
In 2025, Otolift employed 947 people across 7 countries, up from 863 in 2024. The majority of our workforce is based in the Netherlands and Slovakia, which together account for 80% of total headcount. Growth was driven primarily by our Dutch and Slovakian operations, reflecting continued expansion in both production and commercial activities.
Our workforce includes a mix of production, technical, and commercial roles. In addition to our permanent staff, Otolift also works with temporary workers.
In the following sections, we outline our commitments and performance across key social topics, including health and safety, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion, and training and development.
3.1 Health & Safety
Safety is one of the core pillars of our sustainability strategy. We believe that everyone deserves to work in an environment where safety is part of every action, every decision, and every conversation. Whether in our production facilities in the Netherlands and Slovakia or out in the field where our service engineers install stairlifts, we are committed to creating a workplace where people feel protected and supported.
Our safety policy: Changing the culture together
We have taken important steps to further strengthen how safety is embedded and practiced across our company. Over time, we have continued to evolve our approach, ensuring that safety is consistently integrated into all aspects of our operations. Our policy focuses on building a strong safety culture, where every incident is taken seriously, and where we believe that every incident can be prevented.
We repeat this message often, because changing behaviour takes time. But when people start to act differently, safety improves. That’s how we create better workplaces, together.
Why safety matters to us
A safe workplace is not only better for our people but it’s also better for our business. Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) is an important performance indicator we use to track improvement and benchmark with industry standards. When safety improves, so does employee wellbeing, efficiency, and product quality. It’s all connected.
How safety is organized at Otolift
We believe in strong leadership and active participation. Safety at Otolift is organized top-down in leadership and bottom-up in communication.
• Every leader is expected to understand our safety policy and share it with their teams.
• Unsafe situations must be reported, actively encouraged by leaders.
• Each of our locations has a local HSE Officer who works closely with our headquarters.
• We hold monthly online “safety pitstop” meetings with all locations to share new developments, learn from each other, and improve together.
• Every meeting starts with Safety, the daily production meeting, the sales meeting, operations meeting and business update all start with our safety metrics and new developments.
Introducing a safety committee
In 2025, we established a Health and Safety Committee. The committee helps improve communication and gives our production and field employees a voice in safety discussions. It’s another way we make sure safety is something we build together.
Reporting incidents more effectively
To improve how we handle safety incidents, Otolift introduced the Otosafe app. Previously, incidents were recorded manually, which made it harder to share information and take consistent action. Now, with Otosafe available on every company phone worldwide, employees can quickly report unsafe situations, near misses, or accidents. Wherever they are. The app alerts the right person based on location and severity, helping us respond faster and take both corrective and preventive actions. This
is a big step forward in making our workplaces safer and more transparent.
Additional safety actions
Beyond our core safety initiatives, Otolift has taken several targeted actions to reinforce our safety culture and improve working conditions across all locations. These actions fall into four key areas:
1. Risk Management & Prevention
• Updated Risk Inventory & Evaluation in the Netherlands to better identify hazards and assess risks.
• Safety participation and communication improved through establishment of HSE committee and monthly safety pitstop meetings.
• Pedestrian and forklift traffic review in the Netherlands and Slovakia to eliminate collision points and improve site layout safety.
2. Emergency Preparedness
• Revitalized First Responders team in the Netherlands, with three annual drills to ensure readiness for emergencies.
3. Health & Well-being
• Preventive medical check-ups offered in Slovakia, with plans to expand to other regions.
• Multisport card program in Slovakia to promote healthy lifestyles.
4. Hazardous Materials & Road Safety
• Introduction of a global chemical safety database, accessible via a QR-code. The database provides up to date Material Safety Sheets and Workplace Instruction Cards with relevant HSE information.
• Road safety initiative: All locations have committed to improving driver safety through targeted programs.
Table: Health and safety
*Data for recordable work-related accidents and lost time days is not reported, as consistent group-wide recording was not yet in place. Comparable reporting began in 2025 following the implementation of the Otosafe incident reporting system.
3.2
Diversity & Inclusion
We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to building a fair, innovative, and future-ready organization. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered, regardless of background, gender, identity, ability, or beliefs. Our strategy focuses on inclusive representation, equitable opportunities, and a culture of care and collaboration.
Women represent approximately 18% of our workforce, above the Metalektro sector average of 16% (2023). In a traditionally male-dominated industry, where improving gender balance remains a sector-wide challenge, we recognise that 18% still reflects a significant gender gap, and addressing it remains a priority.
It is worth noting that the definition of disability and distance to the labour market varies across countries and legal frameworks. What qualifies for reporting in the Netherlands may differ from how similar situations are classified in Slovakia, Belgium, or Italy. This means our consolidated figure reflects a diverse range of circumstances, and comparisons across locations should be read with that context in mind.
Table: Diversity & Inclusion
Why It Matters
Promoting diversity and inclusion is not only a social and ethical responsibility but it is a strategic advantage. Diverse teams bring broader perspectives, foster innovation and are better equipped to solve complex challenges. A more inclusive workplace strengthens employee engagement, improves retention, and enhances our ability to attract top talent. It also reinforces Otolift’s reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking employer.
Disability & inclusion
By the end of 2025, 5% of our workforce consisted of employees with a distance to the labour market, exceeding our target of 3.5% and representing a meaningful increase compared to 3.8% in 2024.
Beyond our own workforce, we also actively choose to work with social enterprises and sheltered workshops as part of our supplier and service network. Our collaboration with Stichting Dagbesteding Krimpenerwaard in the Netherlands is one example. These partnerships are partly driven by Social Return on Investment requirements attached to municipal contracts, but they reflect a genuine commitment that goes beyond compliance. We believe that how we spend matters as much as what we spend, and we will continue to seek out partners whose work creates real social value.
Female managers
By the end of 2025, 28.6% of management positions were held by women, a slight improvement compared to 28.3% in 2024. While this does not yet meet our target of 33%, we recognise that this is an ambitious benchmark, particularly for a manufacturing company, where women are structurally underrepresented in technical roles. We reached this target two years ago, which demonstrates it is achievable, and we remain committed to getting back there. The challenge lies in the nature of our workforce pipeline: as management positions naturally open up, the available pool of candidates in technical disciplines does not yet reflect the gender balance we are working toward. Our inclusive recruitment practices and leadership development programs are designed to address this over time.
Key Actions
• Inclusive Recruitment: In the Netherlands, we integrated inclusive language checks into our recruitment policy to ensure accessibility and neutrality in job postings.
• Disability Inclusion: We conducted a country-level assessment of employees with disabilities to better understand and improve our performance in this area.
• Social Partnerships: We scaled up our collaboration with Stichting Dagbesteding Krimpenerwaard in The Netherlands.
These actions reflect our ongoing commitment to building a workplace that values every individual and contributes to a more inclusive society.
“Over the past 12.5 years, I have experienced Otolift’s growth firsthand and have grown along with the company myself. As a young woman in my twenties, I never would have imagined that working for a stairlift manufacturer could be so exciting and dynamic.”
Nathalie de Ruyter Service Operations Manager
Enjoying a Meaningful lunch every day
What makes working with this team so special to you?
“It really feels like they’re my colleagues. Everyone is different, with their own strengths and limitations. That can be a challenge at times, but it’s so wonderful to see how much fulfillment they get from their work.”
At Otolift, a special team prepares a fresh, healthy lunch every workday. This lunch team is part of the Krimpenerwaard Day Activity Foundation, which offers people with intellectual disabilities meaningful and enjoyable daytime activities. Personal support worker Anna Stam explains how she and her team are making a difference.
What talents or qualities do you see in the employees that are often underestimated?
Is there a moment when you were really proud of the team?
“Absolutely! The first day we were allowed to cook for the Lekdijk location as well. There were so many orders that I asked the team to skip their coffee break. Without a single complaint, they worked incredibly hard as a true team. Everything was ready on time. That was a day when I was truly super proud.”
How does the rest of Otolift react to the work you do?
“Very positively! We can tell not only by the number of lunches we prepare, but also by the colleagues who take the time to give us a compliment or just stop by for a quick chat. I’m sure the team feels appreciated and accepted here.”
“While working, they develop their social skills, physical and motor skills, and work on building a positive self-image. I’m constantly impressed by how they grow in terms of independence, but also in their ability to work together as a team. For example, by noticing when someone needs help and then spontaneously offering it.”
What advice would you give to other companies that are hesitant to work with a team like this?
“Just do it! It’s incredibly valuable for everyone. But do think it through carefully: you need a safe environment with enough space, where participants can also step away if necessary. We’re very lucky here at Otolift. We’re centrally located, receive a lot of positive attention from colleagues, and have space to work quietly or relax. I hope we’ll be able to continue providing lunch here for a long time to come.”
Can you tell us a bit about your role as a personal support worker and how you support the team?
“Every workday, I support a group of five to seven people with intellectual disabilities in their work at Otolift. They prepare lunch: from making sandwiches and cooking soup to cleaning up at the end of the workday. While some can follow a recipe independently, others need a little more help. I provide them with an environment and tasks that align with their personal experiences and aspirations.”
“Thanks to the lunch team’s dedication, Otolift employees enjoy not only a delicious lunch but also the power of inclusion and collaboration. Together, we make every day a wonderful one.”
3.3 Training & Skills Development
Building a people-centered organization requires investing in development, collaboration, and leadership so that employees can thrive. We believe that continuous learning is essential not only for individual growth but also for strengthening our collective capabilities and long-term resilience.
Our vision and strategy
In recent years, we have taken deliberate steps to structure and strengthen our approach to training and development. Recognizing the need for a solid foundation, we began by renewing our onboarding program to ensure a consistent and welcoming start for all new employees. We launched the Otolift Academy, focused on developing technical skills across our production and service teams, and introduced leadership development initiatives to support growth at every level of the organization.
Our vision is to create an environment where learning is continuous, accessible and aligned with both personal ambitions and organizational goals. We see training not only as a tool for individual growth, but as a strategic lever to strengthen our collective capabilities and long-term resilience.
Training and development are key drivers of employee engagement, confidence and effectiveness. By investing in our people, we foster innovation, collaboration and retention. A well-trained workforce is better equipped to meet customer needs, adapt to change, and contribute meaningfully to Otolift’s mission.
How we approach training
Training is offered through a combination of structured programs and flexible learning platforms. All employees have access to GoodHabitz, an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, from technical skills to soft skills and personal development. In addition, we provide role-specific training, including:
• Otolift Academy: Focused on technical skills for stairlift installation and servicing.
• Driverseat Leadership Program: Tailored for current and future leaders within Otolift.
• Specialist Training: Available when needed, such as NEVI procurement training.
Mandatory training includes safety protocols (e.g. VCA certification) and technical instruction for lift installation, ensuring that all employees meet operational and safety standards.
Our performance
In 2025, Otolift made significant strides in strengthening employee development and investing in long-term talent. A major milestone in 2025 was the opening of the Otolift Academy in Bergambacht, The Netherlands. This dedicated training centre brings together all of Otolift’s learning and development activities in a practice-oriented environment. The Academy offers hands-on training for both new talent and experienced professionals, covering everything from stairlift installation and maintenance to customer communication.
Leadership development also remained a priority. In 2025, 21 employees participated in our leadership program, up from 19 the previous year. This increase reflects our commitment to nurturing internal talent and building a strong, values-driven leadership pipeline.
Looking ahead, Otolift will continue to expand its learning offerings, integrate training into career development pathways, and ensure that all employees have the opportunity to grow and contribute meaningfully to our shared success.
Table: Training & Development
*No
Investing in development through blended learning
At Otolift, we believe it’s important for everyone to have the opportunity to grow, which is why we provide standard access to Good Habitz, a fun, interactive learning environment offering training and development courses in a wide range of areas. We also focus on individual needs. During checkins with managers, training and development are regular topics of discussion, and we always explore ways to further encourage employees to grow.
For middle management, Otolift launched Driver’s Seat in 2024. Driver’s Seat helps managers become effective leaders and build strong teams. Significant attention is given to developing strategic insight and operational management. Participants gain greater insight into their own motivations and pitfalls, as well as those of their team members. The goal is to learn how to get the best out of yourself and your team.
Knowledge Development USP for (future) employees
The Otolift Academy encompasses Otolift’s entire training program and, since 2025, has also had a physical location: the brand-new training facility on Steenfabriekstraat in Bergambacht, which is designed as a specialized learning environment where both new and experienced employees are trained and educated in the installation, maintenance, and innovation of stairlifts, as well as in areas such as customer communication. With this Academy, Otolift emphasizes the importance of innovation, continuous improvement, and growth. The training programs combine technical knowledge with practical skills and a customer-focused approach.
Trained to become fully qualified stairlift technician
At the Otolift Academy, new employees are trained to become fully qualified stairlift technicians in just seven weeks. All aspects are covered in a hands-on setting: from safety training and rail installation to seat assembly, programming, and communication with customers. The training takes place at multiple locations, including the new training facility on Steenfabriekstraat, the Otolift factory, and at customers’ homes under the guidance of a mentor technician.
Fully prepared to get to work
Dirk Smulders, CEO of Otolift, is proud of the Otolift Academy: “The fact that we devote so much attention to the development and growth of our employees is a priority for our company. For example, our unique training program for technicians, where the combination of hands-on training and theoretical knowledge thoroughly prepares our employees for their work. In this way, we guarantee safe, reliable mobility solutions for people with limited mobility. At the same time, we actively contribute to employment and knowledge development in the Krimpenerwaard region and beyond.”
3.4 Employee engagement
Engaging and empowering our employees is essential to delivering on our mission: making accessibility possible worldwide. We believe that when our teams feel connected to our purpose, they drive innovation, quality, and care in every aspect of our work. Our vision is to help people live safely and comfortably in their beloved homes through innovation and personal attention. We bring that same commitment to how we support and involve our people across all our locations.
Navigating Cultural Transformation
One of our key challenges is guiding Otolift through a cultural transformation. While we remain rooted in values like care, we are evolving into a more structured, professional, and innovative organization. This shift involves introducing clear guidelines, measurable targets, and cultivating leadership that motivates and supports their teams. Reducing absenteeism and strengthening team dynamics has been a core focus, particularly in the Netherlands, where absenteeism among technicians has already dropped significantly.
Employee Voice and Representation
We actively involve employees in decision-making through our works councils. In 2025, the works council provided input on several key initiatives, including the development of a new HR manual, cybersecurity improvements, and technician scheduling. Their feedback ensured that changes were better aligned with employee needs and perspectives, and they played a vital role in improving safety measures by sharing insights from across departments.
Key Engagement Initiatives
• Renewed onboarding experience: A more focused and welcoming process to prevent early disengagement and support safe working practices.
• New Code of Conduct: Integrated into the HR manual to support clarity, consistency, and shared values.
• Great Place to Work: A baseline survey is planned for 2026 to measure engagement and identify areas for improvement.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a workplace where employees feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute to Otolift’s mission and long-term success.
Highlight of employee events of 2025:
SK: Fishing Day
The 10th annual Fishing Day is an event that over the years has become a beloved tradition among our Slovakian employees. It included a fishing contest and cooking a traditional goulash.
SK: Family Day
We gathered over 600 employees and their families for food, drinks, music and a children’s program. 06 SEP
07 JUN 20 JUN 19 DEC
NL: Opening Otolift Academy & Summer BBQ
The Otolift Academy was officially opened of Bergambacht and the CEO, followed by a pleasant gathering with food and drinks on the summer-themed parking area at the Lekdijk site.
NL: Christmas party
We gathered 300 employees and celebrated Christmas together with festive music, food, drinks, and a Christmas market.
3.5 Community Engagement
At Otolift, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities around us. Through a combination of monetary donations and stairlift donations, we support local initiatives and charitable organizations that align with our values.
In 2025, Otolift took an important step in strengthening its community engagement by formalizing a structured donation policy. This policy outlines a clear strategy for both proactive and reactive sponsorships, ensuring that our contributions are purposeful, consistent, and aligned with our identity. A key criterion in evaluating donation requests is their relevance to Otolift’s mission, vision, and values. We aim to support initiatives that promote global accessibility, reflect our commitment to safe and comfortable living, and align with our core values. In addition to relevance, we assess the impact of each donation, prioritizing those that create meaningful change for individuals and communities. This policy enables us to make informed, transparent decisions and maximize the positive effect of our contributions.
One of the highlights of our community engagement in 2025 was that Otolift donated a stairlift to Villa Jade, a holiday home that offers families of children with cancer a peaceful place to rest and reconnect away from the hospital environment. By making the upper floor accessible, the stairlift ensures that all guests, regardless of mobility, can safely enjoy the full space. This donation reflects our commitment to accessibility and care, helping families focus on what matters most: time together.
In Belgium, we donated a stairlift to the television program ‘‘ Familie’’ to support The Bomma, the show’s beloved elderly character who is now 92 years old and still working as an actress. She had to climb several stairs for each scene, which made her work more challenging. Thanks to our stairlift, she can continue performing her role comfortably and without any obstacles.
Total consolidated donations 2025
30,000
All floors of Villa Jade are now accessible to everyone thanks to Otolift
The Jade Foundation, founded by Jade Kops, organizes getaways for children with cancer and their families. Earlier this year, a dream of Jade Kops came true: Villa Jade. A beautiful vacation home in the De Heeren van ‘s Gravensande vacation park, specifically for families with a child who has cancer. With the stairlift donated by Otolift, the entire house is safely accessible to everyone.
Jade Kops was diagnosed more than four and a half years ago, at the age of 14, with a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma; a malignant tumour affecting the muscles, located near the carotid artery in her neck.
Sadly, Jade passed away on April 24, 2026, after a long illness. Through social media, she openly shared her life and journey with the disease, inspiring many people along the way. She was only 19 years old.
Jade was a true inspiration to many, and Stichting Jade will continue its mission in her memory.
Villa Jade
Villa Jade is a place where families from the Princess Máxima Center (a hospital where care and research for children with cancer come together) can completely unwind. A few days to get some fresh air, enjoy themselves, and forget all their worries. With Villa Jade, the foundation now has its own, fully adapted villa where families can create beautiful memories and momentarily forget all the unpleasant hospital visits. The villa has two floors, but until recently, the upper floor was only accessible via a staircase. Because climbing stairs is sometimes impossible, this floor was not safely accessible to everyone. Otolift installed a stairlift, making Villa Jade now fully and safely accessible to all guests.
Safe in a familiar environment
René Kops, chairman of the Jade Foundation, is grateful for the collaboration with Otolift: “We are very grateful for the stairlift from Otolift. It makes Villa Jade fully accessible and allows families to enjoy their stay even more.” Marien Neele, Sales Manager at Otolift, emphasizes the importance of the project: “We feel honored to be able to contribute to this wonderful initiative by Jade with this beautiful stairlift. We hope that families staying here can enjoy themselves without a care. What Jade has achieved is truly remarkable and wonderful to see. Because we want to continue contributing to this cause, we will continue to donate an annual amount.” Every year, Otolift donates stairlifts to charities and social initiatives. Through these donations, we aim to contribute to a society where everyone can continue to move around safely and independently and live in freedom.
4. Governance
Good governance is the foundation of responsible business. It ensures that we operate with integrity, accountability, and transparency across all aspects of our organization. Our governance approach supports long-term value creation and helps us manage risks, meet stakeholder expectations, and uphold our mission of making accessibility possible worldwide.
This chapter outlines our commitments and performance in three key areas of governance:
4.1 Safety of our products
At Otolift, product safety is built into every step of our process. From the initial design to final installation, each stairlift undergoes strict safety checks to ensure it is reliable, durable, and easy to use. Because our products serve vulnerable users—such as older adults and individuals with limited mobility—safety is not just a technical requirement, but a core responsibility.
Some examples of safety measures in place with our product:
• Safety surfaces ensure that the lift stops when something is obstructing the lift in the direction of travel, this ensures that the lift can always be moved in the opposite direction to remove the obstruction.
• We strongly recommend that all users wear the seatbelt. The seatbelt is easy to use and can be closed with one hand. Modul-Air Smart models are even equipped with a seatbelt sensor which prevents the stairlift from moving when you try to use the stairlift without the seatbelt fastened.
• The lift is also equipped with a rotating seat. The seat always rotates away from the downside of the staircase, so that the user can safely exit or enter the lift at the top of the staircase.
• Our modular rail undergoes rigorous testing as part of the industry standards process to ensure maximum strength and reliability. These tests confirm that the rail can withstand extreme loads well beyond normal usage, guaranteeing safety and durability for our customers.
We adhere to internationally recognized standards and hold certifications that reflect our commitment to guarantee the safety, reliability, and quality of our stairlifts:
• ISO 9001: This certification confirms that our quality management system meets global standards. It ensures consistent product quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction across all our operations.
• NEN-EN 81-40: This European standard specifically applies to stairlifts and vertical lifting platforms. It sets safety requirements for design, construction and installation, ensuring our products are safe for users with reduced mobility.
• CE Marking: The CE mark indicates that our stairlifts meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. It’s a declaration that our products comply with all relevant European legislation and can be freely sold across the European Economic Area.
• ASME certificate: Our stairlifts are designed and manufactured in accordance with applicable ASME standards for platform lifts and stairway chairlifts. These standards are widely recognized across the United States and Canada and demonstrate compliance with North American safety and performance requirements for accessibility equipment.
4.2 Responsible Supply Chain Management
Our supply chain plays a critical role in achieving our sustainability goals. We are committed to working with suppliers who share our values of ethical conduct, environmental responsibility, and respect for human rights.
Supplier Code of Conduct
In 2024, Otolift introduced a Supplier Code of Conduct that sets clear expectations for all suppliers and partners. This code covers:
• Labor Rights & Standards: Suppliers must comply with ILO conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Child labour and forced labour are strictly prohibited. Suppliers with production activities are expected to have a safety management system.
• Environmental Responsibility: Suppliers are required to comply with environmental laws and implement an environmental management system. They must monitor and reduce their environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, and be transparent in sharing data and allowing site visits.
• Business Integrity: Suppliers must uphold good governance, avoid bribery and corruption, respect trade sanctions, and protect confidential information shared by Otolift.
Breaches of the code may result in termination of the business relationship. Suppliers can report concerns directly to Otolift via: compliance@otolift.com.
Risk Assessment and Supplier Engagement
To better understand and manage supply chain risks, Otolift uses the CSR Risk Checker tool. This helps us identify potential ESG risks based on supplier location and industry.
In 2025, we initiated supplier engagement calls with selected suppliers in top spend categories per material group. These conversations focus on:
• Collecting ESG-related data.
• Exploring opportunities for CO2 reduction.
• Building long-term partnerships around sustainability.
These topics have also been integrated in structured performance conversations with suppliers.
Steel: A Key Challenge
Steel is one of the most impactful materials in our supply chain. While Otolift does not produce steel itself, it is essential to our products. Transitioning to greener steel is a priority, but it still presents challenges. We continue to explore alternatives and collaborate with suppliers to find viable solutions.
4.3 Ethics and Conduct
Ethical conduct is the foundation of sustainable business. We believe that integrity, transparency, and accountability are essential to building trust with our employees, customers, suppliers, and society. We have been taking concrete steps to strengthen our governance and compliance culture across all levels of the organization to ensure that we meet legal obligations and uphold high ethical standards across all our operations.
Our compliance framework
We operate under a structured compliance framework that is based on a Code of Conduct and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) Policy, which guide ethical decision-making and responsible behaviour. We continuously review and improve our compliance framework to reflect changes in legislation, stakeholder expectations, and emerging risks.
Our Compliance Officer and Legal Counsel oversee adherence to applicable laws and internal policies, ensuring accountability and consistency in implementation.
We promote a culture of openness and responsibility. Employees are encouraged to speak up whenever something feels inappropriate or unethical. Our Whistleblower Policy provides a safe and confidential way to report concerns.
Preventing Bribery, Fraud and Corruption
We do not tolerate any form of bribery or fraud. Our ABAC guidelines provide clear rules for gifts, payments, and hospitality. These must:
• Be permitted under the applicable national laws;
• Be consistent with local customs and practices;
• Support a legitimate business purpose;
• Be appropriate and proportionate;
• Never create obligations or influence decisions;
• Be accurately and fully recorded in the company’s accounting system;
• Avoid any appearance of impropriety at all times.
By embedding these principles into our daily operations, we aim to strengthen ethical governance and reduce compliance risks.
Responsible Data and Information Handling
Otolift’s commitment to integrity extends to data and information handling. We take data protection seriously. Otolift has implemented encrypted systems, centralized NDA archiving, and is setting up a program for regular IT security training. In 2024, we hired an Information Security Officer to lead our cybersecurity strategy, and we are working towards ISO 27001 certification in due course. These steps help us safeguard sensitive information and uphold stakeholder trust.
