Hope Springs Eternal

In early summer, Construction Europe reported that the construction sector was seeing a decline across the continent due to the high costs of materials, increasing interest rates and labor shortages. A survey by consultancy Turner & Townsend found that the economic conditions negatively impacted confidence and private investment in the sector. The same survey found the difficult conditions were not exclusive to Europe but could be found in the U.S. and beyond, as well. We were all feeling post-pandemic effects, in one elevator-related sector or another. 

A few months have passed since that survey was published; autumn is now upon us, and with it more optimism and stability, though the Russia-Ukraine war persists, and tensions exist between a host of governments. In mid-September, the European Commission presented its Summer 2023 Economic Forecast. In it, the Commission noted that inflation and energy prices are declining, and the labor market is robust. The EU economy continues to grow, though slowly, and a mild rebound in overall economic growth is projected for 2024. Though the measure of economic improvement may be small, generally, the elevator industry’s confidence seems bolstered, especially if interlift 2023’s numbers are any indication. This year’s fair, highlighted in this issue, predicts exhibitor and visitor numbers it hasn’t seen since 2019. In A Return to Greatness by Lindsay Fletcher, your author writes that, as of press time, more than 500 companies will present their innovations at the fair, with 38 nations represented and more than 25,000 visitors expected. We share an event preview and exhibitor list to help you navigate the halls and make the most of your visit to Augsburg, Germany.

Earlier in the summer, EW correspondents covered other important industry events. Undine Stricker-Berghoff attended the Schwelm Symposium 2023 in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Organized by Henning and sponsored by VFA-Interlift, the event welcomed 20 distinguished speakers who thoroughly discussed the topic of “Modern Technology in Elevators.” In WEE Expo 2023 Shanghai, author Peng Jie tracks the exposition’s return after a three-year hiatus. Big crowds braved the Shanghai summer heat to attend this welcome-back event.

In this issue, we also highlight a variety of dynamic companies, projects and organizations from across Europe, including: 

• “A Heritage of Unsuspected Richness” by Jérôme Bertrand, Céline Chéron, Lauréline Tissot and Muriel Muret. Belgium’s historic lifts, of which there are many, gain legal recognition thanks to the advocacy and commitment of local organizations. 
• Sustainability in Spain, submitted by Otis. Otis’ Madrid, San Sebastián and Vigo facilities achieve key certifications. 
• A Usual Certainty, submitted by Codebò S.p.A. A look at one of Italy’s oldest elevator companies and its long, storied history and exciting present.
• Beauty in Bellavista by Olga Quintanilla Marful, EW Correspondent. A panoramic lift makes life easier for residents of the picturesque hilltop neighborhood. 

As this is our interlift issue, we are happy to share articles about products and innovations from some of the companies that will attending the fair, including: 

• Safety, Reliability and Innovation by Simon Dauer. Mayr power transmission presents elevator brakes at interlift 2023 and reflects on its company values. 
• Like New: Modernizing Hydraulic Elevator Systems by Michael Pyper of Bucher Hydraulics. Pyper discusses how a smart modernization far outperforms complete replacement in both economic and environmental aspects. 
• CEDES iDiscovery, submitted by CEDES. A look at the company’s elevator safety supervisory system. 

There is so much more in this issue, including articles focused on maintenance, modernization, new technology and codes and standards. I hope you find value in these pages. If you do or have suggestions for future issues, let me know at ricia@elevatorworld.com.