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Design Konkreter

VFA PORTRAIT

The VFA-Interlift eV was founded in 1987 as an association to promote the use of elevators and escalators.

The founding members defined their goal as "promoting the use of passenger transport equipment." The initiative originated with medium-sized manufacturers in the elevator industry, who established the VFA as a platform to pool their interests. The association, which had 30 members in its first year, has since grown to more than 240 members – not only from Germany. The VFA is the home of the German-speaking elevator community.

The first major task of the young VFA was to provide technical support and actively shape the international trade fair interlift and congress planned for 1988 in Munich. The event was a resounding success. A good partner for the international development and expansion of the trade fair was sought and found in AFAG-Ausstellungsgesellschaft mbH Nürnberg-Augsburg. The VFA, through its Executive Board and Trade Fair Advisory Board, plays a key role in shaping this event.

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1 Board of the VFA 1988

2 VFA-Interlift eV Board – History

3 VFA interlift – Board meeting 2011

Since 1991, interlift has been held thirteen times – each trade fair with higher exhibitor and visitor numbers. Interlift is now the world's most important elevator trade fair, covering 42,500 square meters with around 541 exhibitors from almost 43 countries and nearly 20,000 visitors, 70% of whom are from abroad. The first congress has since evolved into the VFA Forum, featuring approximately 50 international presentations on all days of the trade fair. In 2025, interlift will be held in Nuremberg for the first time.

Since 1995, the association has also offered its members the opportunity to participate in elevator trade fairs around the world through joint stands. This is an inexpensive and easy way to present themselves, establish initial contacts, and gain an overview of the respective markets. The VFA was already represented in Moscow in 2009. Since 2010, there have been trade fair appearances in India, China, South America, Poland, and Korea, with more to follow.

history

1988

First international trade fair interlift with congress in Munich

1993

Founding of the VFA Academy

September 26, 1987

Founded in Munich as an association to promote the use of elevators and escalators

1991

Interlift with Forum in Augsburg

since 1995

VFA joint stands at elevator trade fairs around the world

since 2000

Standards database for volunteer VFA employees in the Standards Working Group

1995

Renamed VFA-Interlift eV – Association for Elevator Technology

since 1997

Member of the ELA European Lift Association Brussels

since 2002

Kassel Elevator Days

since 2005

Conceptual sponsor of the Schwelm Symposium

  2009

EnergyLabel software for VDI 4707 "Elevators – Energy Efficiency"

  2008

First seminar series on training and further education according to VDI 2168 "Lifts – Qualification of Personnel"

First VFA discussion on standards

  2012

Technical Officer

  2014

VFA Academy's own training rooms

  2017

Member of the DGNB
German Sustainable Building Council

  2019

Digitalization Workshop

  2021

VFA expert group
Standards & Guidelines

  2022

Further training as
elevator fitter

  2025

New interlift
Nuremberg location

  2011

free consultations for VFA members

  2013

Relaunch of the website with internal members area

  2015

Introduction of 3 newsletters on the association's main focuses: members, academy, standards work

  2018

Founding of the VFA Academy gGmbH

  2019

Patent monitoring database

  2022

35 years of VFA

  2025

Launch of new VFA website

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VFA-Interlift eV
Süderstraße 282
20537 Hamburg

Germany

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Telephone +49 40 8000 473-0
Fax +49 40 8000 473-20
Email info@vfa-interlift.de

© 2025 VFA Interlift eV

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