The ladder of success

Little Giant Ladder celebrates 50 years of product innovations

American insurance salesman Hal Wing met a painting contractor in Germany who had a prototype for a new kind of ladder in 1972. Made of steel and extendable wooden rails, it could effectively adjust to different heights under each set of legs, enabling the ladder’s user to work effectively in staircases. With the contractor’s blessing, Wing enhanced the design, returned to the U.S. and began engineering the first multi-position ladders.

Fifty years, hundreds of products and dozens of awards later, the company founded by Wing and his wife, Brigitte—Little Giant Ladder Systems—stands tall for crafting an array of products focused on safety and quality.

Among its many innovations, including the original three-in-one combination ladder (extension, leaning and step), the company introduced the first platform ladder with a guardrail system, created the telecom industry’s first extension ladder with leveling outriggers and introduced the Ground Cue, which emits a distinct “click” sound when you put weight on a ladder’s bottom step.

Today, Little Giant boasts more than 100 domestic and foreign patents, has more than 40 ladder product lines and continues to be the most-searched-for ladder brand on the web. The MegaLite multi-position ladder, which easily converts from A-frame to extension to 90-degree configurations, and the King Kombo three-in-one combination ladder, featuring a one-handed Grip-N-Go hinge and rotating wall pad, remain two of the company’s most popular offerings.

“Whether you’re a firefighter, aircraft mechanic, SWAT team leader, Disney cast member, NASA engineer, electrician or DIY weekend warrior, we’re dedicated to creating the safest and most productive climbing tools for the world’s toughest jobs,” says CEO Ryan Moss. “We understand exactly what people in the trades need because we understand exactly what people in the trades do. When you buy a Little Giant product, you’re getting something made for the task at hand.”

Many manufacturers regard ladders as a basic commodity, and continually cut costs to stay relevant. But not Little Giant. “Every innovation, design choice and industry-specific feature built into our products emphasizes one central goal: preventing injuries and saving lives,” Moss notes. “Major companies report ladder injury reductions after switching to Little Giant products.”