The Voice of the Lift, Escalator and Moving Walk Industry in Europe

The European Lift Association successfully completed its Annual General Assembly and Annual Conference in Stockholm on April 16th and 17th. In partnership with the European Elevator Association, which represents lift, escalator and component manufacturing companies across Europe, over 100 participants enjoyed the event packed two days in the beautiful Swedish capital.

Opening the Annual Conference on the first day of proceedings, outgoing ELA President Jorge Ligüerre underlined the importance of the central theme of the Conference dedicated to Sustainability and the future of Lifts in a Sustainable World. With 8 speakers combining a mix of guests from within and outside of the Lifts Sector as well as representatives from ELA and its members, a broad range of topics were presented and discussed. Topics covered the main themes of Sustainability inclining Climate Change, the Circular Economy, Energy efficiency measures and regulations, social inclusion and ageing. At the same time the perspectives from the European Commission, Swedish public policy actors and other industries outside of the Lifts Sector were covered and discussed. A good level of participation at the Conference was then followed by an evening Gala Dinner for all participants and guests at the impressive Vasa museum on the seafront of Stockholm.

Day two of the proceedings saw the election of a new Board of Directors of ELA. ELA’s new President Roberto Zappa has started its three year term and while thanking the members for their trust placed in him as ELA’s new President, he underlined the great honour it was for him to take over the reigns from outgoing President Jorge Ligüerre whom he thanked for his great commitment and contribution to the industry over the past years. Voting from the members saw the election of two new Board Members from Greece and Sweden who joined the other Board members at the first meeting of the new ELA Board under the new President, Roberto Zappa. Discussion was then held at the new Board where the new Vice-President, Björn Kollmorgen, was appointed for three successive mandates of one year.

Roberto Zappa (ELA President), Gero Gschwendtner (EEA President) and Robert Wright (ELA and EEA Secretary-General) would like to thank the ELA/EEA Secretariat, Members, (continuing and outgoing) Board members for all their hard work and commitment to the Lifts, Escalators and Components sectors and look forward to continuing to add value to our ongoing work over the next year.