LOCHER, PIPER & PARTNER
MISSION
We aim to reinvent and redesign domestic and industrial products to significantly improve their functionality, form and materiality, with a focus on high quality and longevity. We are committed to the highest possible environmental and ethical standards for our products and our business.
HISTORY
German inventor Marian Piper and Swiss product designer François Locher, both fathers of several children, joined forces to reinvent and redesign the current pram model with its inadequate functionality, redundant 1990s design, generally poor quality and low environmental and ethical standards.
They promptly recruited Swiss mechanical engineer Matthias Günthart to join the team and together they set up a Swiss limited company (GmbH) and then established a collaboration with FHNW, one of Switzerland's leading universities of applied sciences.
The three developed together with Dr.-Ing. Roland Schröder the revolutionary QIUNO pram with a completely new, ultra-compact lifting system.
Unfortunately, during this time, Christa, the wife of sales manager Marc Nachtergaele suffered a stroke and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. Since then, she cannot reach many things in her home, it is difficult to move from the wheelchair to the bed or to the toilet and back, she cannot see the displays in the shops, she feels small among standing people, often with communication difficulties... That's when Marc had his brilliant idea: Why not use our lift technology for the seats of wheelchairs?
In 2023, the founders decided to put the pram project on hold in order to develop a retrofittable, height-adjustable seat for wheelchairs first.
The initial LIFTBOY concept incorporated the lift technology from the pram and was designed as a height-adjustable seat adapter which had to be removed in order to fold the wheelchair.
In 2025, we secured the services of Dipl.-Ing. Michael Jonischkeit. Together, we developed the final technology for our project: the WEELIFT, with new, decisive unique selling points.
The founders converted the limited liability company into a public limited company in 2026.
HOW WE WORK
We see ourselves as a think tank for product development and design, always seeking to improve the basic present and future living conditions of all sentient beings directly or indirectly involved in our projects. We aim to be an active part of an intelligent interdisciplinary global network and a work ethic committed to an earth-friendly economy.
The approach to all our projects will always be as holistic as possible. We are interested in the forgotten and the traditional, as well as innovative ideas, materials and technologies of the future.
We develop for ourselves and for others.
PARTNERS | TEAM
Marian Piper
François Locher
Matthias Günthart
Marc Nachtergaele
Dr.-Ing. Roland Schröder
Michael Jonischkeit
Fanny Bergmann
Arón Piper
CONSULTANTS | SUPPORTERS
Hans-Martin Niederer
Daniel Hübner
Dr. med. Tobias Meyer
Michael Hirsiger
Brian Albacete Oliver aka Brianeitor
Philipp Gremmler
Marcel Locher
Tanja Steinhoff
Daniela Christ
WEELIFT
PROBLEM
The LOW SEATING POSITION poses a barrier for users of conventional wheelchairs:
ACCESSIBILITY | Everyday objects and environments are generally designed for people without mobility impairments. However, they are often inaccessible or difficult to reach for wheelchair users: Work surfaces, office furniture, cupboards, machinery, etc.
INCREASED RISK OF INJURY | Wheelchair users are forced to constantly stretch out their arms in order to reach high objects and perform certain activities. This constant strain increases the risk of injury.
SOCIAL ISOLATION | They feel small among standing people and cannot talk to them at eye level. This makes communication more difficult and damages self-confidence.
LIMITED VISIBILITY | In a shop, for example, they cannot see the displays very well. When people are standing, such as at a concert, their field of vision is extremely limited.
SITTING DOWN AND STANDING UP | Older wheelchair users in particular often find it difficult to sit down in a conventional wheelchair and even more difficult to stand up again and move to other surfaces such as a bed, toilet, etc. This often requires a great deal of strength and can also be a challenge for carers.
The solution is VERTICAL MOBILITY. However, existing solutions pose new problems:
HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIRS are very expensive, heavy and bulky, and cannot be folded compactly. They can only be transported in special vehicles and often cannot be taken into the home. They also have a limited range.
The only HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE MECHANICAL WHEELCHAIR on the market is very expensive and cannot be folded; it can only be partially dismantled.
SOLUTION
WEELIFT is the world's first retrofittable, height-adjustable seat for wheelchairs that transforms a standard wheelchair into a height-adjustable wheelchair. At the touch of a button, wheelchair users can easily raise to a standing height.
With a WEELIFT, almost any existing standard wheelchair can be easily converted into a height-adjustable wheelchair at an unbeatable price.
With the WEELIFT, a folding wheelchair remains foldable.
ABOUT
MORE INDEPENDENCE | Flexibility in everyday life and at work: kitchen equipment, shelves, machines, and more.
NO NEED FOR CONVERSION MEASURES | WEELIFT can be used flexibly in a wide range of professions, and its compatibility with conventional furniture and kitchen equipment makes it an indispensable aid, especially when wheelchair users and people who can stand live together.
BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE | Height adjustment up to eye level of a standing person.
MORE COMFORT | Much easier getting up or sitting down, and transferring to other surfaces such as the toilet or bed.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT up to 25 cm
LOAD CAPACITY up to 120 kg
FOLDABLE
LIGHTWEIGHT
DURABLE
AFFORDABLE
Engineered in Switzerland
Three versions:
ACTIVE | for autonomous, easy height adjustment for wheelchair users who can use their arms.
PASSIVE | for easy height adjustment by carers or companions.
ELECTRICAL | for height adjustment with ultra-compact and lightweight motor support.
We develop the WEELIFT in collaboration with wheelchair users and seek advice from experts in the fields of rehabilitation and geriatric medicine.
VOICES
PARTNERS | CONSULTANTS
QIUNO
ABOUT
With QIUNO, Locher, Piper & Partner are developing a sensationally new, multifunctional high-end stroller with unrivaled functionality.
Groundbreaking technology | 43 pages of patents in the US, EU and Japan with 100% probability of being granted | wider product application
Ultra compact
Fold and unfold with carrycot at the touch of a button
Adjustable height
Sustainable | durable | developed in Switzerland | manufactured in Europe and still affordable!
FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE OF THE CHASSIS
Dr.-Ing. Roland Schröder presents the improved functional prototype of the chassis to our team:
Using purely mechanical energy, the chassis opens and closes at the touch of a button.
We were particularly impressed by the pram's manoeuvrability and its ultra-compact size when folded.
(Note: The push handle is a temporary construction. Later it can be operated quickly and easily with one hand and a single button.)
RENDERINGS
Opening of chassis
Multifunctionality
Lift and pushchair
Driving modes
Closing with carrycot
VOICES
FUTURE PREMIUM PARTNER SHOPS
Over 20 premium shops in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium will be our partners, and the number is growing!
CONTACT
OFFICES
Swiss main office
Matthias Günthart
Zurlindenstrasse 16 | CH-5000 Aarau
matthias.guenthart@locherpiperpartner.ch
+41 79 783 38 34
Development office Germany
François Locher
Pistoriusplatz 3 | D - 13086 Berlin
francois.locher@locherpiperpartner.ch
+49 176 64233987
Development office Spain
Marian Piper
Quintana 113 | E-33785 Quintana-Valdés
marian.piper@locherpiperpartner.ch
+34 636 23 76 24 | +49 1522 33 04 788