Lift Report

Jochen Müller (ThyssenKrupp Aufzugswerke Germany)

For several years, passengers have already been comfortably transported by longestablished elevator systems without machine rooms. Planners and architects use the compact systems for more freedom and flexibility in designing buildings. And, thanks to the manifold economic advantages offered by an elevator without a machine room, the operators themselves get their money’s worth.

interlift 2005

At the stand of the VFA-INTERLIFT e. V., which has been sponsoring the interlift for many years now, the pulse of the trade fair began beating early on the very first day. Specially invited guests, the exhibitors and the trade press arrived to open the Fair officially together in the Forum. Already at this first event of the Fair, it was possible to get some idea of how international the event was: almost 50 % of those attending the opening came from abroad. A good result for the organisers and proof of how meticulous the preparations had been. After all, even though the interlift has undoubtedly become the leading trade fair in this sector, the fact that it keeps on growing is not something to be expected as a matter of course.

interlift 2005

It always happens that somewhere, some time, some people do not feel taken seriously or sufficiently represented and they get together to form an association of their own. That is how in April 2005 the EFESME (European Federation for Elevator Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) came to be founded. It is to represent the interests of small and medium-sized lift enterprises in the construction, installation and maintenance sectors. Its headquarters are in Brussels. The membership consists essentially of Italian firms that have decided to join.

interlift 2005

At the last trade fair held in 2003, the interlift-Forum proved very valuable: a solution had finally been found for lectures and product presentations to accompany the exhibition. The VFA Academy headed by its business manager Werner A. Böhm had taken responsibility for organizing it, and had formulated the issues to be discussed there. It began with papers in areas such as “Energy-saving concepts”. Other topics discussed were “Safety and quality”, “Trends in lift construction” and “Technical innovations”. Thanks to the provision of simultaneous translation (German – English), one thousand people attended this year, an appreciable increase on previous years.

interlift 2005

It is a nice tradition and gives an indication of the family atmosphere prevailing at this Fair that the organizing company and the sponsoring association, the VFA-INTERLIFT e. V., invite the trade press to a get-together on the evening before. This year, Lift-Report joined in hosting the event so that Heiko Könicke as head of the AFAG und Peter Lauer of Lift-Report were able to welcome about forty friends from the press. In a convivial Augsburg pub, the reunion was celebrated with beer and good “home cooking”.

Joachim Ramrath (VFA Interlift e. V.)

Yes, that was another world class performance delivered at interlift 05. The question now is how can we top that, where do we go from here? But first one thing at a time because no sooner has one trade fair ended than another one starts. Whilst we may have been feeling very satisfied with ourselves after interlift 03 in 2003 and set about the preparations for the next event with increased enthusiasm, the result of interlift 05 once again leaves everything in its wake and puts even what happened back then in the shade with a new set of superlatives.