5 Dorman Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
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415-552-3074415-552-3074
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About Dwan Elevator Co.
A Century of Innovation. A Future of Excellence.
Dwan Elevator Co. has been elevating lives—literally and figuratively—since 1919. Founded in San Francisco by Edward Dwan, the company originally specialized in specialty building products like sidewalk lights, rolling steel doors, and laundry chutes. By the 1930s, it had expanded into residential elevator equipment, marking the beginning of a legacy that would shape the industry for generations.
Over the decades, Dwan Elevator Co. has evolved through strategic partnerships, technological breakthroughs, and thoughtful leadership. In 1949, Sherman Camp, a key partner, patented the Hil-A-Vator—an inclined elevator designed specifically for hillside homes. This innovation quickly gained traction across California and even internationally, becoming a hallmark of the company’s forward-thinking approach. By the 1980s, Dwan Elevator Co. had also introduced commercial dumbwaiters, further broadening its reach and reputation.
A major turning point came in 1969, when Alfred H. Verschell, formerly of Otis Elevator, acquired the company and shifted its focus exclusively to elevators. Under his guidance, the company streamlined its offerings, earned the trust of top architects and builders, and solidified its place in both residential and specialty markets with the Hil-A-Vator and its compact variant, the Hil-A-Vette.
Ownership passed to David Degere in 1990 and then to longtime company mechanic Richard Browning and his wife Jenny in 2012. The Brownings upheld the company’s commitment to quality and expanded its footprint in the commercial sector, continuing to build on its strong foundation.
In 2023, Dwan Elevator Co. entered a new era. The business was acquired from Richard Browning with the goal of modernizing operations while honoring its legacy. At the time, the company had no digital presence and relied heavily on manual processes. Since then, we’ve built a dedicated team, digitized every facet of operations, and introduced scalable systems to support service, repairs, and new installations.
Today, Dwan Elevator Co. is thriving like never before. We are proud to serve both residential and commercial markets with unmatched quality and professionalism.
Our Legacy, at a Glance:
- Founded in 1919 in San Francisco by Edward Dwan
- Introduced residential elevator products in 1930
- Invented the Hil-A-Vator incline elevator in 1949
- Rebranded as Dwan Elevator Co. in 1969
- Expanded into commercial dumbwaiters in the 1980s
- Underwent a full digital transformation in 2023
Our Mission:
To elevate the standards of quality, innovation, and service in every installation, repair, and customer interaction—building on a legacy more than 100 years strong.