Ommelift acquired following insolvency

Yama Saha, owner of Germany-based Sahalift, has acquired the name, trademark and intellectual property (IP) rights to Ommelift, following the insolvency of the Danish spider lift manufacturer.

Sahalift, which represents AlmacCrawler and Multitel in Germany, and was previously distributor for Ommelift will firstly aim to secure the supply of spare parts for existing machines under a new company Ommelift GmbH, which will run all future operations.

For Saha, who is also CEO of Aichi Europe Sales Office, which represents the Japanese brand across the continent, Ommelift has played a longstanding part in his career.

Yama Saha, founder of Ommelift GmbH. (Image: Sahalift).

When the Danish manufacturer set up its own subsidiary in Germany in 2004, Saha was part of the founding team, setting up a sales, service and distribution network across the country.

Saha remained with the company over the years, first in sales and later as managing director. This period was shaped by his collaboration with Harry Lorentsen and his family, who owned the company. In 2020, when Saha had become sole managing partner of the German company, it was renamed Sahalift.

“To me, Ommelift is far more than a name on a machine,” said Saha. “I have known the people behind the company, many of the dealers and many of our customers for decades. Together, we built a great deal. That made it all the harder to witness the insolvency.”

Efforts to save Ommelift 

After efforts by other investors to save Ommelift had come to nothing, Saha said he decided to acquire the rights. “I couldn’t just stand by and watch the Ommelift name and the technical expertise built up over so many years disappear. For me, this is a step back to the roots. At the same time, I feel a responsibility towards the people who still depend on their Ommelift machines.”

The company’s history began in 1906 with a blacksmith’s workshop in Sønder Omme, Denmark. Over the generations, the Lorentsen family continued to develop the business. The first Ommelift aerial work platform was built in 1980; later, trailer-mounted and tracked aerial work platforms in particular made the name known internationally.

The initial focus is on the worldwide marketing and delivery of Ommelift spare parts. The team will work through existing supply options and determine where parts can be procured or, if necessary, remanufactured.

“Many of our customers have been using their machines every day for years. They need answers and spare parts to keep these machines running. Building a solution for that is the least we owe them,” Saha explained.

Looking to the future 

Following the insolvency, supply channels and processes have to be brought back together, said Saha. As a result, not all spare parts will be available immediately. “I don’t want to promise anything we can’t deliver yet. We will explore every option, handle enquiries as quickly as possible and communicate openly whenever sourcing a part takes longer.”

Saha sees the possible return of manufacturing of new equipment in the future. “Whether we will be able to offer machines under the Ommelift name again in a few months or a few years, I can’t say today. First, we need to build up the spare parts supply and do our homework. After that, we can talk about a second step.”

“The work ahead of us will not be easy,” says Saha. “But we know the machines, we know the industry and we know many of the people who have placed their trust in us for years. Together with our loyal customers and partners, I am confident that Ommelift can continue to hold its place in the market.”