LIFTEX 2022

The U.K.’s lift industry trade show returns in person and bigger than ever.

LIFTEX 2022 took place in person on 12-13 October at ExCeL London after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus. Now in its 34th year, the tri-annual trade show, run by the Lift & Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), attracted its largest crowd to date with this iteration. Described by LEIA as “the U.K.’s only dedicated exhibition for the lift, escalator and access industry,” LIFTEX is typically held in May but was pushed back six months to October due to COVID-19. The trade show welcomed 4,000 attendees, a 22% increase from 2019, and 100 exhibitors hailing from 12 countries, including the U.K., Croatia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S. 

LIFTEX 2022 Show Director Oliver Greening said:

“We are delighted with the success of this year’s show, and it was great to see the industry reconvene under one roof once again. This was the first time we’ve had a breadth of industry representation from contractors, service companies, component suppliers and organizations from support services. This included hosting the major players Schindler, Otis and TKE for the first time and welcoming back Wittur after a short break. The overwhelming message from visitors and exhibitors alike is that LIFTEX plays a vital role in supporting the U.K. lift and escalator industry. Many we spoke to told us they couldn’t miss it for that very reason.”

The event saw steady foot traffic over its two days, something exhibitors your author spoke with were happy about and impressed by. For many attendees and exhibitors, this event presented the first opportunity to gather with colleagues since the onset of COVID-19, and it was a celebratory occasion. The atmosphere was quite a joyous one, and there was no lack of hand shaking, conversation and laughter to accompany the business of the day. 

Many exhibitors had new products come to market since last LIFTEX and were eager to showcase and demonstrate them. Otis demonstrated its patented Gen360™ foldable platform for in-car maintenance operations to sizable crowds, with some visitors even climbing up into the car to check it out [with Otis “gurus” on hand to help]. Some exhibitors took the LIFTEX opportunity to announce products coming soon. Lester Controls presented its new PB 35 Push Button, which will be available in 2023. OXONOX officially launched its cold plasma sterilisation solutions, AirLift and AirStair, with a champagne-filled gathering. Ziehl-Abegg displayed its new motor, ZAtop SM 315, part of its ZAtop model series that provides energy efficiency and low noise levels when running. This is but a very small sampling of the interesting products and services on hand. 

While work was the order of the day, there was no shortage of fun and friendly competition to be had at various stands. Jackson Lifts challenged visitors to some basketball, while Kapok 88 had a golf simulator on hand and Universal Lifting Hire Services a putting green. All were keeping score, and the leader boards were moving targets. 

While many exhibitors welcomed friends to their stands with refreshments and small giveaways, it was the chance to finally reconnect in person that was the real treat. For some companies, like Raloe, it was their first opportunity to exhibit at LIFTEX since opening a new office in the U.K.; Raloe UK LTD opened in 2021 and operates from the company’s Dartford Kent facilities. According to Raloe, LIFTEX provided the opportunity to meet with many of the customers they have grown to know since opening their U.K. offices in 2016, and also, importantly, it was a great chance to forge new friendships with potential lift industry customers.

For exhibitors, there was an additional opportunity to connect with one another at the end of day one. A reception, “Exhibitor Drinks,” was held at the café inside the expo hall immediately after the close of the day’s expo. It was a well-attended and spirited occasion.

Seminar Programme

A free seminar programme ran concurrently with the exhibition in the Seminar Theatre within the hall and featured information sessions from six industry experts on a wide variety of subjects. The topics ranged from safety standards, UKCA marking and the digital switch on day one, to a building safety theme featuring lifts for firefighters use, the London Plan and evacuation lifts on day two. Each day welcomed three speakers presenting for 15 min, followed by a panel discussion. LEIA Managing Director Nick Mellor moderated the seminar programme, which was standing room only both days, and introduced the speakers. 

October 12 Seminar:

• “Revision of EN 81-20 and EN 81 Family Designated Standards” by Dave Searle, LEIA Technical Committee, Deputy Chairman, MHE/4, BSI Committee for Lifts, Hoists and Escalators
• “Evacuation Lifts, Fire and Disabled Residents” by Mellor
• “The Impact of Digital Telephone Lines on Lift Alarms” by Matthew Davies, Member, European Lift Association TELCO Working Group
• October 13 Seminar:
• “Lifts for Use of the Fire & Rescue Service” by Matthew Canham, National Fire Chiefs Council, Protection Policy and Reform Unit Building Safety Programme
• “UKCA: Product Compliance and Marking Post Brexit” by Paul Clifton, Chairman, LEIA Quality & Technical Committee
• “The London Plan & Evacuation Lifts” by Adam J. Scott, CIBSE Lifts Group, Chair and Codes & Standards Representative

While it will be three years before another LIFTEX, the success of this show will surely be remembered and help draw the U.K. lift industry together again for the next one. For more information about LIFTEX, visit liftexshow.com.