Issue 1/2011


02/02/11

Even between the (interlift) years the 2010 elevator world is on the move

From the point of view of visitor response, the 2010 fairs with common VFA stands on nearly all continents turned out to be a full success. The participating member companies emphasized the major benefits arising from their commitment in India, Brazil and (for the first time) Poland. They believe that their attendance is a springboard to new markets, new customers and partners and provides direct access to market information. The service offered by the VFA warrants an attractive fair attendance with only a minor amount of personal expenditure at low cost. Praise was also given to the high level of planning security and the strong umbrella organization with the “Made in Germany” reputation.

Michael Gubisch – Boosting the attendance on fairs
Category: Issue 1/2011
Posted by: Editor

Achim Hütter – Consolidating the co-operation

Relations with the VDI were intensified after the independent “lift engineering” expert committee got down to work. The lobbying activities in Berlin were intensified by visiting the Member of Parliament Heinz-Peter Haustein who is also a lift manufacturer. He will present a paper on the 2011 General Meeting. The Camera de Ascensores Argentinia association including some members could be persuaded to exhibit their products on the Interlift. The contacts with the NAEC of the USA were renewed on the occasion of a meeting with the new president with whom discussions were held on the topics of further professional training and worldwide standards.
Stephan Kretzschmar – Promotion of the VFA attractiveness
The following new members could be welcomed in 2010:
  • Aufzugfabrik Windscheid & Wendel GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf
  • Feigl Aufzug-Service GmbH, Ingolstadt
  •  GFC AntriebsSysteme GmbH, Coswig
  • Hundt & Partner Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Hanover
  •  Hydroware Elevation Technology AB, Alvesta, Sweden
  • Lohr Liften C.V., Zevenaar, The Netherlands
  •  Orderbase Consulting GmbH, Münster
  •  Switch GmbH & Co. KG, Isernhagen
  •  TER GmbH, Velbert
  •  Updown Ingenieurteam für Fördertechnik GmbH, Hamburg
Ivette Radetzky – Knowledge is power: a “mighty” member information effort
An eventful year has come to an end. In the year 2010 the members continued to be updated through the Infoline. We are glad to say that the internet homepage met with avid interest. Many thanks to all members for their support. The elevator industry will be confronted with a number of challenges in 2011 – to the New Year!
Andreas Hönnige – VFA academy provides further training for employees
In 2010 all three stages (A to C) of the VDI 2168 seminars were offered. With almost 250 participants they were nearly fully booked up. The significance of the further professional training to a “skilled electrician for specified activities in elevator engineering conform to BGG 944” was highlighted. The Kasseler Aufzugstage and the second round of VFA discussions on the subject of VDI 4707 with a trade fair in Stuttgart were visited by some 80 participants. The biggest event in 2011 will be the VFA Forum on the Interlift. The call for papers will end at the beginning of April.
 Klaus-Peter Kapp – Standards create elevator markets
In 2010 the VFA standards team has held two meetings with around 30 members focussing on “energy” and working on Sheet 2 of VDI 4707 and the second draft of ISO 25 745/1 to which the VFA has raised an objection. EN 81 Amendment 3 received particular attention since the transition period already ends on June 30, 2011. Solutions are not in sight though. The revision of EN 81 1/2 is to be published as a draft in 2011, the new EN 81 20/50 will presumably be published in 2013.
Joachim Ramrath – Do good and talk about it
In trade journals at home and abroad the VFA has regularly been referred to in press and other reports. Several articles reported on a VDI 2566 study. Special attention was given to a series of articles on the GTBFT global technical barrier-free trade, i.e. the transfer of EN 81 into ISO.
Dirk Henning – Conservative finance policy safeguards association future
For the first time in the association’s history the proceeds allow the VFA to take on a trainee to improve the service rendered to VFA members in the new VFA office in Hamburg.
                                                                                                                                                     Dipl.-Ing. (TU) Undine Stricker-Berghoff
                                                                                                                                                                                                   CEng MEI
                                                                                                                                                                        Manager, VFA-Interlift e.V.,
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Hamburg


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