ABOUT US

Mirage RESiLIFT home lift upstairs ocean view sunset 3D render

RESIDENTIAL LIFT MANUFACTURING

Residential Lift Manufacturing Pty Ltd (RLM) is an Australian-owned business that designs, manufactures and develops the RESiLIFT® range. It succeeded The Residential Lift Co. Pty Ltd, founded by Peter and Rosemary van Emmerik in Tasmania more than 20 years ago.

Peter, the inventor of the RESiLIFT, designed the world’s first “through-floor” residential lift, pioneering affordable and retrofittable lifts for people’s homes. You can learn more about The Inventor and his revolutionary design below.

Since the invention of the RESiLIFT, more than 4,000 lifts have been installed in Australian homes. Over the years, the lift design has evolved into the stylish and streamlined model we offer today—one we believe is the best on the market.

Residential Lift Manufacturing is now managed by two of Peter and Rosemary’s daughters, Erica and Margery, who are committed to continuing their parents’ mission of helping Australians stay in the homes they love.

THE INVENTOR

Peter van Emmerik, a retired engineer from Tasmania, revolutionised the lift industry with his invention, the RESiLIFT® .

After Peter’s retirement from a 40-year career with the Hydro-Electric Commission, his son suggested he apply his engineering skills to designing a residential lift. At the time, even the idea was revolutionary, and Peter applied his innovative mind to the task.

What followed was a three-year journey of design and refinement. Unlike traditional hydraulic or three-phase lifts, Peter’s design used standard 240V power, and the lift was self-supporting and shaftless, making it easy to install in existing or newly built homes.

His invention not only minimised visual and structural impact but also enabled easier installation through furnished spaces.

Patented in Australia and shared internationally, a version of Peter’s original design is now sold in more than 15 countries.

Peter’s passion was to help people stay in their family home as they age. He understood the emotional, financial and practical benefits of being able to grow older at home. For Peter it was about preserving family connections and stability.

Peter and Rosemary van Emmerik in their 70s celebrating 1000 lifts
Peter and Rosemary van Emmerik
Co founders of the Residential Lift Company with their daughters
Peter and Rosemary with two of their daughters, now Co-CEOs, Erica (left) and Margery (right).

The RESiLIFT quickly gained acclaim for its simple and elegant design, transforming multi-level homes into accessible spaces and making everyday tasks, such as transporting groceries and other heavy items, easier and safer.

Recognised by the Institute of Engineers in 2009, Peter’s design continued to evolve based on customer feedback and different installation challenges.

Peter’s wife, Rosemary, was heavily involved in the business from the beginning, and their two daughters, Margery and Erica, also joined the family venture, eventually becoming co-CEOs.

Margery and Erica proudly continue their parents’ legacy, ensuring RESiLIFT remains an Australian-made symbol of innovation and functional design.

They are committed to helping people overcome the challenge of stairs and enjoy their homes for as long as possible.
Peter van Emmerik’s RESiLIFT isn’t just a lift; it’s a testament to ingenuity and a lifeline for countless individuals seeking independence and security in their daily lives.

A brief history of the lift

Hear from founders Peter and Rosemary van Emmerik as they share the story behind Australia’s pioneer through-floor elevator.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Installing a RESiLIFT has made such a different to our lives. Carrying laundry upstairs is easy! It’s made our home complete and given my husband the freedom to move around independently.
Adele, Carlingford, NSW
RESiLIFT has given us back our life.
Geoff & Jan, Berwick, VIC
Best money we ever spent!
Beylara, Ravenswood, TAS
Our kitchen and living room are upstairs. Without RESiLIFT, we would have had to move to a single-storey home.
Alan & Mary, Beaumaris, VIC
We should have installed a RESiLIFT years ago. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done and gives us peace of mind for the future.
Susan & Paul, Baulkman Hills, NSW
RESiLIFT came at the right time for us.
Berny, Altona, VIC
Having a RESiLIFT is “awesome for my mother-in-law”.
Talal, Eaglemont, VIC
RESiLIFT has made a hugely positive impact to our home and lives.
Roger, Mont Albert North, VIC
The lift helps us move luggage from our walk-in wardrobe to the car, and easily carry washing between floors. Being an Australian-designed lift is an added bonus.
Gary, Alexandria, NSW
RESiLIFT? Wonderful. I used to dread going up and down the stairs. Now it’s just like going into another room.
Ann, Melbourne, VIC
Installing a RESiLIFT has made such a different to our lives. Carrying laundry upstairs is easy! It’s made our home complete and given my husband the freedom to move around independently.
Adele, Carlingford, NSW
RESiLIFT has given us back our life.
Geoff & Jan, Berwick, VIC
Best money we ever spent!
Beylara, Ravenswood, TAS
Our kitchen and living room are upstairs. Without RESiLIFT, we would have had to move to a single-storey home.
Alan & Mary, Beaumaris, VIC
We should have installed a RESiLIFT years ago. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done and gives us peace of mind for the future.
Susan & Paul, Baulkman Hills, NSW
RESiLIFT came at the right time for us.
Berny, Altona, VIC
Having a RESiLIFT is “awesome for my mother-in-law”.
Talal, Eaglemont, VIC
RESiLIFT has made a hugely positive impact to our home and lives.
Roger, Mont Albert North, VIC
The lift helps us move luggage from our walk-in wardrobe to the car, and easily carry washing between floors. Being an Australian-designed lift is an added bonus.
Gary, Alexandria, NSW
RESiLIFT? Wonderful. I used to dread going up and down the stairs. Now it’s just like going into another room.
Ann, Melbourne, VIC

REQUEST A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION

Take the stress out of stairs and enjoy peace of mind for the future with RESiLIFT — book your free in-home consultation today.

FURTHER READING

Mirage RESiLIFT residential lift man in lift halfway up lounge room

Retirement is an ideal time to prepare for the next fulfilling season of our lives – and one of the most important decisions to make is whether to stay in the home you’ve grown to love, or move on. Don’t make that call until you’ve considered all the options. There are many factors that play into such a major life decision – proximity to the grandchildren, how connected you are to the local community, or even how physically challenging navigating a large house can become after a while. But one thing is for sure: you no longer have to leave your two-storey home just because of the stairs. That’s right; what may have been an insurmountable barrier for many of us a decade ago is no longer, thanks to RESiLIFT. RESiLIFT is a residential lift that can be easily installed into existing or new homes. The clever Australian design was the first of its type in the world, pioneering shaftless lifts. It allows people to live in the homes they love without breaking the bank or making a massive impact on their building structures. Louisa King, who works as an occupational therapist, says a person’s home is “often part of…

Home lift Miracle RESiLIFT couple in lift upstairs sun shining

Transitioning into the next phase of retirement, there’s a crucial decision that must come first: to stay in your beloved home or start looking for other options. Thankfully RESiLIFT has given people a good reason to stay after creating the perfect solution to steep stairs and ageing joints. Whether it be carrying the laundry, suitcases or awkward objects, moving safely between floors is now possible. Architect, Jegi Jager, from CPS Project Management says “it just makes sense to incorporate a RESiLIFT into your house, whether you are renovating or designing a new home”. “Australians have to move away from this idea of single-level dwellings” he explains. “Some people associate lifts with ageing, but now, that is not the case. There are many reasons you might need to use a lift, irrespective of your age. All two-level homes in the future need to provide a safe and convenient way to travel between floors.” “Land is expensive, but we need green space around our homes. It is important for our wellbeing to be able to get outside and enjoy some light and green, so the only solution is to go up.” “This is the future. I would never build or plan a…

Residential lift Miracle RESiLIFT lift upstairs couple in lift door closed

Why every two-storey home needs a home elevator Initially associated with the aging population, residential elevators are fast becoming a lifestyle inclusion for all multi level homes. As souring land prices force developers upwards, elevators prove a safer alternative to stairs. Residential lifts are now replacing the dumb waiters being installed to take groceries from the garage to the pantry and laundry chutes previously included in luxury homes.  Many people use their elevators for commuting items that are difficult on stairs such as luggage and furniture.  Some use them for their sick/older pets, although this is rarely the primary reason for installation. Many people do not want to purchase double storey homes but with land prices cannot afford to have single storey, so installing an elevator resolves that problem. Who benefits from installing a home elevator? Nowadays architects will typically suggest at least a provision for a future lift in new build designs.    There are also a number of lifts that can be installed for existing homes, such as the RESiLIFT®. It is not just the homeowner who benefits. Because people do not have to move home, they retain their family memories and community connections.  It is much harder for older people…

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