On 16 October 2025, during the Interlift Fair in Nuremberg, EFESME celebrated the 20th anniversary of its foundation with an evening event held at its stand. The gathering brought together members, technical experts, representatives of national associations, European partners, and numerous professionals from across the lift industry. The celebration was both an occasion to mark this important milestone and a moment to reflect on two decades of work supporting and representing Europe’s independent lift SME.

The Nuremberg event followed the anniversary initiatives already held in Paris, Madrid, and Rome earlier in the year. Together, these meetings retraced EFESME’s history, achievements, and objectives, each highlighting a specific dimension of the Federation’s mission: dialogue with institutions, cooperation among members, and recognition of shared accomplishments.

Looking Back on Twenty Years of Work

The evening opened with a speech by President Massimo Bezzi, who presented an overview of EFESME’s history and evolution from its creation in 2005 to its current position as a recognised European voice for lift SMEs. He underlined the Federation’s commitment to representing lift small and medium-sized enterprises in European standardisation and policy discussions, promoting fair and inclusive regulations, and strengthening the visibility of independent companies in an increasingly competitive market.
President Bezzi also took the opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to EFESME’s growth — its members, experts, and partners — for their professionalism and commitment over the years.

He was followed by Mr. Joachim Kalsdorf (AFAG Senior Project Manager), Mr. Achim Hütter (VfA Chairman), and Mr. Thilo and Mr. Henning Könicke (AFAG Managing Directors), who each offered words of friendship and admiration. Their presence and friendship along the years symbolised not only recognition of EFESME’s past, but also confidence in its future. Beyond formal acknowledgements, their presence at the celebration symbolised not only recognition of EFESME’s achievements so far, but also a continued confidence in its ability to be active and present in the lift sector in the years to come.

Concluding the speeches, Secretary General José María Compagni thanked the participants for their ongoing collaboration and trust. He emphasised how EFESME’s success is rooted in the contributions of its network of national associations, experts, and entrepreneurs — a structure that allows the Federation to represent SMEs effectively in both technical and political arenas.

Following the speeches, the first part of the EFESME 20th Anniversary Video was presented. The video, which includes greetings and testimonies from members, experts, and partners, offered an overview of the Federation’s activities and the many people behind them. It provided a concise yet meaningful reflection on how EFESME’s role has evolved in these past twenty years in response to new challenges in standardisation, technology, and European policymaking. The final version of the video, to be completed after the closing event in Brussels, will serve as a record of the Federation’s journey and of the network that supports it.

The evening also provided an opportunity to recognise the sponsors who supported the 20th anniversary celebrations: Vimec, Epic Power, Fermator, Liftel and MP Lifts. Their contribution reflects the continued engagement of key sector actors in EFESME’s initiatives and the shared objective of strengthening the position of SMEs within the European lift industry.

Throughout the event, the EFESME stand became a lively space for dialogue and networking. Participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss upcoming projects, and reflect on the topics addressed during the anniversary events across Europe. While the tone of the evening was celebratory, discussions also focused on the future — on the Federation’s next steps and on the challenges that will define the coming years, such as digitalisation, sustainability, and the evolution of European lift standardisation to support its SMEs.

Both President Bezzi and Secretary General Compagni recalled how the celebrations in Paris, Madrid, and Rome each represented an important step in the Federation’s reflection on its work and priorities. The Nuremberg event brought this cycle closer to its conclusion, setting the stage for the final gathering in Brussels in November.

Now, EFESME must look proudly ahead

As the event concluded, participants joined in a final toast — a simple but meaningful gesture marking twenty years of collective effort. EFESME’s anniversary in Nuremberg was not only a commemoration of past achievements, but also a reaffirmation of the Federation’s commitment to the years ahead.

The message that emerged was clear: the first twenty years have established EFESME as a credible and influential representative of lift SMEs at European level, but the work continues. The Federation remains focused on expanding its impact, reinforcing cooperation with European institutions and partners, and ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises continue to play a central role in shaping the future of the lift industry, both technically and politically, in Europe and abroad.

With two decades of experience and a strong network behind it, EFESME now looks confidently toward the next chapter of its history — one built on the same principles that have guided it since the beginning: cooperation, competence, and commitment to the values of Europe’s independent lift SMEs.

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Read more about the previous events in Paris HERE, Madrid HERE, and Rome HERE. For the next event in Bruxelles, click HERE.

Read more about the EFESME 20th Anniversary and the related initiatives HERE.

 Contact the EFESME Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions you may have on the event and/or the 20th Anniversary Celebrations!