Issue 4/2005
Russian conditions
Lift Expo Russia, 18th – 21st May 2005, Moscow
Two years ago a bunch of members of VFA dared the jump into the “cold water“ and participated in the first LIFT EXPO Russia. In 2005 it was not only a bunch of but a respectable number of members participating. Beside the language and the Cyrillic letters, Moscow is a normal metropolis of this globalised world, as expensive as Tokyo and with the same traffic chaos like London. What is then so special about Moscow and Russia? It is the need of the people to catch up after 80 years of dictatorship of the proletariat, discovering their own freedom and the chances there of.
VFA-Interlift e. V.
The second Elevator Expo took place in Moscow from May 18-21, 2005, in a fair hall of the “All-Russian Exhibition Centre” located in a park which is presently being renovated.
The building industry in Moscow is booming at the moment. A business centre is built on the banks of the river Moskva which is already christened the “Manhatten of the Moskva”. According to the lord mayor of Moscow, Jurij Luschjkow, the investment volume amounts to 12 billion US Dollar. There is still enough money to realize the building plans.
A total of 150 exhibitors presented their vertical transport products and services to the Elevator Expo visitors. The quality of the visitors was excellent, most of them made explicit enquiries and exhibitors passed a very positive judgement on the discussions held. Goodies collectors known from other exhibitions and fairs failed to turn up alltogether. The exhibition was preceded on May 16 and 17 by a well-attended conference. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous dignitatries of the Russian elevator industry and the city of Moscow.
On his tour F. A. Lyachin, head of the Organisation Committee and president of the Russian Elevator Association, also welcomed the participants of the joint German stand. On the penultimate day of the exhibition in a solemn ceremony every exhibitor received a certificate and a medal. Tribute was also paid separately to some meritorious companies. Jury V. Orlovsky, Technical Director of the Russian Elevator Association, was always at the disposal of exhibitors who were in need of help.
One would surely wish future international exhibitions of this kind to show a bit more internationality in matters of organisation. But I am sure that the organisers of the exhibition will bear this in mind and bring about the necessary changes the next time.
The language barriers are still quite high. Although some expert visitors and exhibitors spoke German or English, business negotiations or technical explanations still required the service offered by the competent and friendly interpreters.
The joint German stand was staffed by Messrs. Alpha Getriebebau GmbH, AFAG, Bode Components GmbH, Eden-Design GmbH, Elevator Trading GmbH, Grama Blend GmbH, Henning GmbH, Lift-Journal, Lift-Report, LM, Liftmaterial, Weber Lifttechnik GmbH, Metallschneider SKG Lifts and the VFA.
Other German and Western European companies had their own stand or exhibited together with their Russian partners. These included well-known companies such as ALGI GmbH & Co. KG, Wittur AG, Fermator, Kleemann, to mention but a few.
The response of the companies participating in the joint German stand was extremely positive. Even though the time seems not yet to be ripe for some of the products exhibited, it is the presence during the exhibition and the interest shown by expert visitors that counts.
I can only join Stephan Kretzschmar in his wish that the next Elevator Expo in Moscow may see an even greater participation.
