About us
Henchman is the UK and Europe’s leading platform ladder specialist, designing unique ladders that keep gardeners, professionals and DIY enthusiasts safe while working at height on uneven terrain.
Our story
Henchman’s story begins after a (thankfully!) not-too-serious fall whilst cutting a hedge from a ladder. Realising that there wasn’t a ladder available at the time suitable for uneven terrain, father and son team, Mike and Tom Kitching, developed the Wheeled Henchman platform for Tom’s GCSE woodwork project. In 1994, the Kitchings launched the first Henchman model at RHS Chelsea Flower Show (link to new page) and since then, Henchman has grown from a small business to being a market leader in safe platform ladders for uneven terrain.
Product evolution
The Wheeled Henchman was followed by the Hi-Step, marking a design shift towards a lighter, height-adjustable ladder featuring a platform, a hip-level guard rail for enhanced safety, and adjustable legs for maximum stability on uneven ground. The Hi-Step continues to provide a versatile working solution for a variety of garden jobs.
In our quest to develop the safest ladders for uneven terrain, we launched the iconic Henchman Tripod Ladder range for which we have become renowned. These three-legged ladders are designed for a wobble-free experience while working hands-free at height.
A hallmark of Henchman’s product evolution is taking on board customers’ feedback, and in 2023, we launched our new-and-improved tripod ladders, featuring a more rigid frame, a hedge-proof locking pin and adjustments to the guard rail and platform. Our new tripod ladders not only offer even more versatility and adjustability for our customers, they are also the first and only BSI EN131 certified tripod ladder on the market. (link to certification page)
The latest addition to the Henchman platform range is the All Terrain Telescopic Platform. The ATTP combines the adjustability of a telescopic platform with the robust stability required for an uneven or sloped terrain, and was created to meet the needs of a wide range of sectors including construction, building maintenance, facilities management, live events and horticulture.
We also have a range of gardening accessories to complement our ladders, from gardening tools and heavy-duty wheelbarrows, to our award-winning Henchman Lifting Harness; all designed to keep you gardening for longer.
By using Henchman, you’re adding great products to your toolkit, while supporting a family business that’s passionate about creating a safe, sturdy and - most importantly - enjoyable gardening experience.
Expansion into Europe
As demand for our ladders grew beyond the UK, we established Henchman Europe BV, supplying tripod ladders, ATTPs and some of our accessories to customers across the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy and wider Europe. We have a dedicated EU website with Dutch, French, German and Italian translations to make ordering easier for our European customers.
Henchman Topiary Awards
Having supplied our specialised ladders to thousands of gardeners over the years, we have had the privilege of seeing some extraordinary hedge creations. In 2024, we launched the Henchman Topiary Awards to celebrate the art of topiary and recognise those who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity and passion in shaping and maintaining incredible living sculptures. From Moby Dick in Scotland, to a sleeping dragon in Suffolk, view our Topiary Hall of Fame here.
Our customers
We’re proud of how we’ve helped our customers across the UK and Europe stay safe when working at height. From Royal households to the NHS and National Trust, our products have helped gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals get the job done.
You can read about our customers over on our blog. Here are a few of our customers’ stories:
Branching out safely with Henchman’s PRO Tripod Ladders
Greg Tucker of GT Tree Services has relied on Henchman for years, but switching to our Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder made the biggest difference, giving him the stability, light weight and flexibility he needed to work safely and efficiently on tall hedges and trees, often on his own.
Bringing Henchman stability to Europe
In the Netherlands, garden designer Ralph van de Brug found that Henchman ladders made working at height far safer and more comfortable, allowing him to position the ladder securely among planting without causing damage while feeling stable and supported during pruning work.
From hedges and sculptures to the England Rugby Team
We’re big rugby fans here at Henchman, so we love that our tripod ladders have been used by the England squad for training! Our 10ft ladder is now an integral part of the team’s lineout training, ticking all the boxes when it comes to the team’s safety.
Charity partners
Henchman is proud to support Life at No.27 (external link) through charitable donations to help aspiring gardeners get started with their projects. Life at No.27 is a remarkable social enterprise that works with communities to encourage people to take on creative outdoor projects. By educating them on the benefits of gardening for mental health, new gardeners can try out new things and bring some tranquillity to their busy schedules.
Click here to read more about our partnerships
Looking ahead
We’ve loved watching our business grow and seeing our customers garden safely with our Henchman ladders. We’re looking forward to expanding and evolving our product range, enhancing the gardening experience for professionals and DIY gardeners alike.
“At Henchman, we’re excited to be expanding our reach into new countries and industries, and achieving our mission to prevent falls from height.” - Owen Simpson, Managing Director
From everyone here at Henchman, thank you to all of those who have supported us in our journey. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for our family business.