Lift Report

The new VFAs first big project was to support the interlift international trade fair and congress planned for 1988 in Munich. The VFA was actively involved in the organization and professional support of the trade fair. The event was a massive success. The VFA sought and found a reliable partner for the international development and expansion of the fair – the AFAGAusstellungsgesellschaft mbH Nürnberg-Augsburg. The VFA is the authoritative organizing body of the event, taking on a large role in both the board of directors and the advisory committee for the trade fair.

The interlift trade fair has been held in Augsburg nine times since 1991, with the number of exhibitors and visitors growing each time. Interlift has since become the most important lift trade fair in the world, with approximately 500 exhibitors from almost 40 different countries displaying their wares in a space measuring 40,000 square meters. The fair attracts close to 20,000 visitors, 50 % of them from abroad. The initial congress has grown into the VFA-forum, which presents approximately 50 international lectures per day of the trade fair. In 2009, for the first time, the VFA was also able to offer onsite training for the exhibitors “Ready for Success at the Trade Fair”.

From 1995 onwards the Association has offered its members the chance to share a booth and therefore take part in lift-related trade fairs all around the world. This is a simple and economical opportunity for members to present themselves to the world, make contacts with other businesses, and gain an overview of the respective markets. The VFA has thus already been represented in Moscow in 2009, and preparations are underway for trade fair appearances in India, China, and South America in 2010.

The VFA also exhibits at other trade fairs within German borders. 2008 also saw the beginning of the b_free trade fair in Augsburg, with renewed support from the AFAG. This fair focuses mainly on using lifts as a key to barrier free buildings.

The VFA has fulfilled their stated goal of “creating and maintaining contact with other relevant professional organizations nationally and internationally, creating, promoting, and maintaining contacts with the trade press nationally and internationally, and working in conjunction with national and international bodies that concern themselves with development and expansion in the realm of lift technology”. The VFA currently represents its member‘s interests in many influential national, European, and international bodies. For example, the VFA has a seat on the board of the ELA European Lift Association and is involved in every ELA committee. The VFA regularly exchanges information with other national associations, for example from the USA, China, Italy, and England. They are also able to use their many national contacts with German organizations and institutions to provide their members with detailed first hand information.

The number of applicable laws, standards, directives, rules and regulations is almost impossible for an individual to keep up with, especially as they are constantly subject to change. An “intimate” workshop and a larger research group consisting of members from the VFA member companies prepare “easy-to-understand information” on all current important standards and draft standards, providing an important basis on which to build day to day business. The Standards Database, introduced by VFA in 2000, significantly increased the benefits of membership.

Experts from VFA member companies also work regularly with DIN, CEN, and ISO, actively helping to creating new technical regulations. Currently, for example, the VFA-Workshop Energy is working on the VDI guideline 4707 “Lifts – energy efficiency”. In 2009 the VFA released, for the first time, software designed to help with the application of these guidelines.

VFAs booth at the interlift trade fair in Augsburg It is also worth noting that harmonization and implementation of European legislature is becoming more and more important in Germany. The VFA is observing these developments and taking a stand, for example with various ministries.

One of the VFAs founding goals was the “promotion and circulation of knowledge on the use of lifts.” The VFA Academy, founded in 1993, has given the Association the chance to realize their goal of providing “education and advanced training.” The institution serves the employees of the VFA member companies, as well as other interested parties, as a substitute for a college or university based educational program focused on “lift technology”, as Germany has no such program. The Academy is based on input from highly qualified and experienced teachers, as well as on cooperation with other institutions and organizations from the private sector.

This Seminar series is based on VDI 2168 “Lifts – Personnel Qualification”. The VFA academy offers complete basic training seminars for the differing fields of action at three levels. The VDI (Association of German Engineers) has given the training seminars their quality seal of approval.

This seminar series – verified by the workers compensation board – imparts a certified qualification in the electrical sector. Hiring employees with this qualification relieves the company of risks to workplace safety and possible liability in the event of an accident.

The VFA Academy deals with current (technical) topics aimed at differing audiences in a variety of course formats. Schwelm Symposium since 2005: The VFA member Henning GmbH organizes a conference for approximately 150 participants at their headquarters in Schwelm each year. The conference presents detailed lectures and discussions on current technical topics. Kassel Lift Days: Every two years, this conference addresses management themes such as current developments in personnel management, business administration, marketing, and law. In addition, it aims at securing the survival and growth of lift manufacturers and related businesses.

The Association recognized the many advantages and opportunities offered by the internet very early, and put them to work for their members. Members have access to copious information via the archive that was set up. The webpages also host mini homepages for each member company, serving as a shopping directory for visitors to the site. In addition, it offers a market for component surplus stock and a job agency.

The electronic newsletter “infoline” helps members keep in touch between meetings with entertaining information on various current issues.

The Association has grown from having no employees at all in its first years to having an office in Hamburg with three full time employees as well as a managing director, all busily working to move the Association forward. At the same time, it is actively led and accompanied by an eight member board of directors. The chairman is voted in every three years. The post is currently held by Achim Hütter from Hütter Aufzüge GmbH in Glinde near Hamburg.

In 2003, the “European Year of People with Disabilities”, the VFA concentrated its publicity efforts on barrier free access to all buildings. The many different campaigns culminated in the “Manifest from Augsburg for Barrier Free Planning and Construction”, an example of a successful VFA campaign for promotion of the lift industry.

The VFA instigated an architectural competition in 2005 on the topic “Refurbishment”, which turned out to be a greatsuccess. This was yet another successful drive from the Association to draw attention to the topic of lifts for the benefit of the entire industry – as was planned from the very first day that the Association was founded.