Leading ladder specialist receives prestigious double global design award for setting a new standard

Leading garden ladder specialist, Henchman, has been awarded the prestigious iF Design Award 2024 for not one, but two of its pioneering garden products - the Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder and Henchman Lifting Harness.

Created and produced in partnership with Tone Product Design, both of Henchman’s new innovations received the esteemed accolade following a rigorous two-stage design evaluation by a team of independent experts.

Widely considered as one of the most important design awards in the world, this year saw over 10,800 innovations entered from 72 countries, with only the highest quality products being shortlisted.

Setting a new standard in safety at height, the new and improved Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder came to market in the summer of 2023. The innovative product is the only of its kind on the market to be certified to EN131 standards, featuring three individually adjustable legs with extra wide feet, patent-pending hedge-proof locking pins and a platform with guardrail, allowing users to work wobble and hands-free. Available in both standard and Pro ranges, the ladders range from 5ft to 16ft.

The second product to be recognised was the Henchman Lifting Harness, which launched earlier this month in March 2024 and was noted for its outstanding ergonomic design. The harness and unique boom arm system is designed to counterbalance the weight of heavy outdoor gardening tools, and is compatible with a wide range of equipment such as hedge cutters, pole saws, strimmers and blowers. The clever piece of kit is designed to reduce back strain and arm fatigue, allowing users to work in greater safety and with more concentration and control.  

Owen Simpson, managing director of Henchman, commented on the win: “Having only recently scooped awards for both products in the European Product Design Awards as well, we are over the moon to be able to add yet another global accolade to the credentials of our latest launches.

“The iF Design Award is highly regarded in the world of product design, and it is fantastic to receive recognition for the expertise, time and hard work put into the research and development of both the Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder and Henchman Lifting Harness. 

“This year marks Henchman’s 30th anniversary, and with four award wins already under our belt and some exciting plans in the pipeline, it promises to be a memorable one for the company!”

Find out more about the awards and view the winners at: https://ifdesign.com/en/

To browse Henchman’s range of ladders and gardening equipment visit https://www.henchman.co.uk/.

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Editors notes

Henchman has been a pioneer of specialist garden ladders and safe hedge-cutting platforms since 1994, when it launched its first model at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Founded by father and son duo Mike and Tom Kitching, over the past three decades the company has evolved from a small family business to the leading garden ladder brand in the UK.

Based in Wiltshire, the dedicated design team at Henchman offers a wide range of unique products created to keep customers safe on uneven terrain while working at height.

Its collection includes the cutting-edge Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder, the Hi-Step Platform, the Wheeled Henchman, as well as a range of large capacity wheelbarrows and accessories, all designed to make gardening a safe, sturdy and enjoyable experience.

Henchman has pioneered the way in ladder safety and is the first and only fully EN131 certified Tripod Ladder on the market in the UK and the rest of the world.

From the National Trust, to the England Rugby team and Royal Households, and not forgetting thousands of gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals, Henchman helps its customers get the job done, safely.