Annual VFA General Assembly 2025 in Nuremberg

Almost 160 participants from VFA member companies accepted the invitation from VFA-Interlift e.V. to attend the Annual General Assembly in Nuremberg on 3 and 4 April 2025.

The event opened on 3 April with a guided tour of the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre - the new venue for interlift, which will be held there for the first time this year. Around 100 participants were given a guided tour of the modern exhibition centre by AFAG Managing Directors Henning and Thilo Könicke and interlift Project Managers Joachim Kalsdorf and Michael Löffler.Following the lunch break, the "Standards & Guidelines" Working Group startet its session at the Scandic Hotel. During two intensive hours, 74 volunteers received a comprehensive update on current developments in the areas of standards, technical guidelines, and committee activities. The chairman of the working group, Achim Hütter, opened the session with formalities before presenting updates on the current status of ISO 8100-1/2, as well as developments in the ABS and NAM committees. He then handed over to Dr. Tobias Brendel, who provided the latest news from DAfA and the VDI.

Peipei Wang, VFA’s Consultant for Standards and Guidelines, reported on current patent trends in the lift industry and their strategic implications.Anne Zerno followed with a concise summary of the key elements of the EK-ZÜS Resolution B-002-Rev. 4 and the planned revision of TRBS 1115.Ralf Gebhardt of Telegärtner Elektronik GmbH presented information on the upcoming challenge of the 2G mobile network phase-out in June 2028.Finally, Franz Watzke reported on updates to the VFA standards portfolio and the current state of the EU evaluation of the Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU. He then handed back to Achim Hütter, who thanked all participants for their commitment and invited them to the next working group meeting on 13 November 2025 in Hamburg.

Evening Programme with Historical FlairThe supporting programme began with an official reception at the Scandic Nuremberg Central Hotel. Participants took part in a guided tour through Nuremberg’s historic city centre, gaining insights into the city’s history while networking in a relaxed atmosphere. The evening concluded with a group dinner at the traditional Heilig-Geist-Spital and informal exchanges at the hotel bar.

SymposiumOn the morning of 4 April, Achim Hütter opened the VFA Conference 2025, which began with an inspiring keynote by Mahsa Amoudadashi entitled “How Enthusiasm Becomes Quality.” Focusing on motivation, team spirit and leadership culture, she shared valuable impulses for everyday work. The presentation is available for download on the VFA website.

General AssemblyAt the start of the official General Assembly, Achim Hütter reported on the past year, with a focus on developments related to ISO 8100, collaboration with ELA, and staff changes at the VFA office. Christella Herzog has taken over as Head of Office, while Peipei Wang joined the Standards and Guidelines department in September 2024. Tobias Brendel succeeded Volker Lenzner, and Kristin Hemker will take up her new role as VFA Academy Coordinator on 1 June 2025.

This was followed by the financial report presented by Treasurer Dr Stephan Rohr. Auditor Ulf Siegel of Hübenthal & Partner confirmed the accuracy of the 2024 financial statements, and the assembly unanimously approved the Executive Board’s actions.

Christella Herzog then outlined the current implementation of the VFA strategy, aimed at increasing membership through an expanded programme, targeted marketing, and a revamped website. New event formats are intended to strengthen member networking, while communications will be further enhanced. A new marketing concept for the VFA Academy is also being developed to increase seminar attendance. As part of these strategic efforts, membership fees have been adjusted.

A new initiative, the VFA Young Leadership Day, was also introduced and will be held for the first time in Hamburg in September 2025.

Andreas Hönnige presented the roadmap for the VFA Academy, including updates on current training formats and participation levels. In 2025, the focus will shift towards more practical training: the “Electrical Specialist ffT in Lift Construction” course will be modularised with a stronger hands-on component. This will be complemented by a new information event on ISO 8100 and two new formats – a one-day training on frequency inverters and “Welcome Azubis” for career starters. In addition, the new practice-oriented training centre “Lutz-Lab” near Hamburg was introduced for on-site technical training.

Michael Gubisch and Michael Löffler reported on developments in the exhibition sector and preparations for interlift 2025, which will be held in Nuremberg for the first time. The new venue offers improved conditions in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, and hall layout. As of now, more than 360 exhibitors from over 30 countries have registered. A total of over 500 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors are expected.

Following the lunch break, Achim Hütter and Franz Watzke gave a joint presentation on current national and international topics in standards and regulations. Hütter focused on ISO 8100, while Watzke provided an overview of the evaluation of the Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU.

Peipei Wang then gave an overview of legal developments concerning digitalisation, which are increasingly affecting the lift sector. She focused on three key EU regulations: the NIS2 Directive, the Data Act and the Cyber Resilience Act. A member-exclusive toolbox with checklists and sample clauses on the Data Act was announced.

Tobias Döhring reported on the measures and developments in the VFA's press and public relations work. The aim is to enhance the association’s visibility and positioning – both externally and internally – as a modern, open and professionally strong industry voice.

The last item on the agenda of this year's Annual VFA General Assembly was the regular election of the Board for a three-year term. Under the election officer Dr. Tobias Brendel, the numerous members re-elected Achim Hütter, Dein Aufzug GmbH, as their President. Vice President Michael Gubisch, SCHAEFER GmbH, was also re-elected.

Dr. Stephan Rohr, Cobianchi Liftteile AG, was also re-elected as Treasurer.

Rudolf Ramseier, Cobianchi Liftteile AG, did not stand for re-election. Ulrich Brumm, ORBA-Lift Aufzugsdienst GmbH, was elected as a new Board member. In addition, the VFA General Assembly confirmed the previous four members

- Tim Ebeling, Henning GmbH & Co. KG

- Andreas Hönnige, LiFTCORE GmbH

- Hans Martin Lutz, Lutz Aufzüge GmbH

- Peter Zeitler, NEW Lift Steuerungsbau GmbH

President Achim Hütter thanked the members for the renewed vote of trust and the members of the Board for their pro bono work and great commitment to the association.

The VFA General Assembly 2026 will take place on 16-17 April 2026 in Berlin.

Further information:

VFA-Interlift e.V., Christella Herzog, Süderstraße 282, 20537 Hamburg, www.vfa-interlift.de