On 12 November 2025, EFESME held the final event of its 20th Anniversary year in Brussels, bringing to a close twelve months of activities dedicated to lift SMEs, their expertise, and their contribution to the European industrial ecosystem. The event took place at Martin’s Brussels EU, only a short distance from many of the European institutions with which the Federation works daily. This proximity gave the evening an additional layer of meaning: not only a celebration, but also a moment to reflect on the present and future of a sector deeply connected to the evolution of Europe’s industrial policy.

The audience reflected the diversity of this ecosystem. EFESME members and technical experts were joined by lift SMEs from across Europe, representatives of national associations, European Commission officers, partners from SME organisations, specialists in standardisation, and long-standing collaborators. Many had already taken part in the previous anniversary events in Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Nuremberg, and their presence helped frame Brussels as both a conclusion and a new starting point.

The evening opened with a series of keynote interventions that placed the sector’s challenges and opportunities within the broader context of European industrial and SME policy. EFESME President Massimo Bezzi welcomed participants and reflected on twenty years of cooperation, technical commitment, and shared objectives. His words were followed by a live videomessage from MEP Brando Benifei, who stressed the importance of safeguarding competitive, innovative, and fair environments where SMEs can operate and grow.

Further contributions came from SBS President Gunilla Almgren and SBS Secretary General Jon Echanove, who outlined the crucial role of SMEs in standardisation processes, as well as from SMEunited Director for Economic and Fiscal Policy Gerhard Huemer, who highlighted the need for policies that allow industrial SMEs to fully participate in European markets. Director Barbara Bonvissuto, head of DG GROW H – Construction, Machinery and Market Surveillance, provided the institutional perspective of the European Commission, emphasising the importance of coherence between regulatory frameworks, technological evolution, and industrial competitiveness.

The second part of EFESME’s 20th Anniversary video was then presented. In continuity with the first segment shown in Nuremberg, it retraced the work carried out by members, experts, secretariats, and partners over two decades, with testimonials from associations, SMEs, and professionals from across the continent. Rather than a celebratory montage, it served as a reminder of the human and technical effort that has shaped EFESME’s activities, from contributions to standardisation work to the organisation of technical workshops and participation in major sectoral events.

The central moment of the evening was the roundtable “The threats and opportunities of the independent industrial ecosystems in Europe: the case of the elevator industry”. Moderated by EFESME Policy Advisor Elettra Bilibio, it gathered Dr. Frauke Hoss, Policy Officer at DG GROW H.2 (Machinery, Equipment and AI), EFESME Secretary General José María Compagni, ANACAM Director and EFESME Policy Officer Luca Incoronato, and AECAE President Eugenio Barroso.

The discussion addressed the position of lift SMEs within the European industrial fabric and the broader dynamics shaping the continent’s independent ecosystems. Speakers examined how digitalisation, cybersecurity, regulatory complexity, and global competition are reshaping the sector, with SMEs at the forefront of both innovation and vulnerability. The debate highlighted that while Europe possesses a strong industrial base – composed of SMEs, family-owned companies, technical talent, and a solid export capacity – it faces an increasingly urgent need to transition from planning to implementation.

Several priorities emerged clearly from the roundtable. Participants stressed the importance of ensuring balanced representation in standardisation committees so that SMEs can contribute effectively to technical decisions that directly affect their work. They also reiterated the need for publicly funded SME experts in standardisation groups, a measure that can help correct existing asymmetries in resources and influence. The elimination of discriminatory legislative barriers – such as inequalities in VAT treatment – was identified as another crucial step to enable SMEs to compete fairly. Cybersecurity and digitalisation adapted to the scale and capacities of SMEs also featured prominently in the discussion.

From an institutional perspective, Dr. Frauke Hoss of the European Commission’s DG GROW outlined the ongoing work to support independent industrial ecosystems, referring to initiatives on market surveillance, proportional regulation and fair competition. She also pointed to forthcoming policy developments related to digitalisation, data access and innovation, emphasising the importance of regular dialogue with sector representatives to ensure that EU measures remain workable for SMEs.

The discussion then naturally moved to the role of representation in translating these policy frameworks into tangible support for companies. Luca Incoronato, ANACAM Director and EFESME Policy Officer, reflected on how national associations contribute to shaping European-level positions by bringing forward the concrete operational challenges faced by lift SMEs. This structured coordination, he noted, strengthens the collective voice of SMEs and helps ensure their continued presence within the lift industry.

Building on this perspective, EFESME Secretary General José María Compagni highlighted the added value of a European association in providing consistent and effective representation at EU level. He underlined how EFESME enables lift SMEs to contribute technical expertise, engage with European institutions and anticipate regulatory developments, supporting both their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Concluding the exchange, AECAE President Eugenio Barroso brought an industrial and strategic outlook to the discussion. He stressed the importance of cooperation across the lift ecosystem, particularly in relation to clear and predictable rules, access to data and innovation opportunities, reaffirming that independent industrial SMEs remain a cornerstone of Europe’s industrial strength thanks to their expertise, autonomy and capacity to innovate.

As the formal discussions concluded, the evening closed in a more personal manner. A commemorative plaque was presented to EFESME President Massimo Bezzi on behalf of the entire Federation, acknowledging his commitment and leadership throughout the anniversary year and beyond. The gesture represented not only appreciation for the work accomplished, but also recognition of the shared direction the Federation has followed over the last two decades.

Overall, the Brussels event successfully brought together the themes that have guided EFESME’s 20th anniversary year. It combined reflection on the sector’s technical and policy developments with perspectives from SMEs, associations, experts, and European institutions. It also reaffirmed the central role that collaboration plays in strengthening Europe’s independent industrial ecosystems. As speakers repeatedly noted, Europe is at a turning point: its industrial future will depend on the capacity to support and empower its SMEs, to innovate, and to create regulatory and market conditions that are fair, coherent, and competitive.

With the Brussels event, the anniversary year reached its natural conclusion. Yet the discussions held during the evening pointed clearly to the years ahead. EFESME and its members will continue to work to ensure balanced representation in standardisation, eliminate barriers that hinder SMEs, and promote an environment where cooperation and innovation can thrive. After twenty years, the Federation remains committed to reinforcing the voices of lift SMEs within Europe – and to helping shape the policies that will define the next decades of their development.

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Read more about the previous events in Paris HERE, Madrid HERE, Rome HERE, and Nuremberg 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 events and/or the 20th Anniversary Celebrations!