Lifts & Leaders

#10 Antrieb neu gedacht – Oliver Vahsen über Innovation, Nachhaltigkeit und Elektromotoren im Aufzug

Wie magnetfreie Motoren, Familienkultur und globale Krisen die Zukunft der Aufzugsantriebe prägen. In dieser Folge von Lifts & Leaders – dem offiziellen Podcast der interlift – sprechen wir mit Oliver Vahsen, Head of Business Development & Sales Unit bei Ziehl-Abegg. Oliver ist seit 2010 im Unternehmen und kam ursprünglich über seine Leidenschaft für Elektromotoren, Regelungs- und Steuerungstechnik in die Aufzugsbranche. Im Gespräch schildert er seinen Einstieg in einen hochspezialisierten Markt, prägende Kundenerlebnisse im internationalen Umfeld und warum Krisenzeiten wie Pandemie und Lieferkettenengpässe den Zusammenhalt in der Branche sichtbar gemacht haben. Ein zentrales Thema der Episode ist die technologische Innovation bei Ziehl-Abegg: Mit dem neu vorgestellten magnetfreien Reluktanzmotor zeigt das Unternehmen eine nachhaltige Alternative zu permanentmagneterregten Antrieben – mit gleichen Leistungsdaten, besserer CO₂-Bilanz und vereinfachtem Recycling. Oliver erklärt, warum diese Entwicklung für Kunden, Umwelt und die gesamte Branche relevant ist. Wir sprechen außerdem über: * Unternehmenskultur in einem inhabergeführten Familienunternehmen, * Nähe zum Kunden durch eigene Niederlassungen weltweit, * Nachhaltigkeit jenseits von Buzzwords, * den Aufzug als Erlebnis und Teil moderner Gebäude, * und warum junge Talente jetzt besonders gefragt sind, die Branche neu zu denken. Eine fundierte, praxisnahe Folge über Technik, Verantwortung und den Blick nach vorne in der Aufzugswelt. Mehr erfahren: interlift: https://www.interlift.de/ [https://www.interlift.de/] Ziehl-Abegg: https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/ [https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/] Oliver Vahsen auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-vahsen-799ba8142/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-vahsen-799ba8142/]

#9 From Installation to Innovation – David Wallen on Modernizing Elevators with Purpose

How hands-on experience, leadership and cloud-based modernization shape the future of elevators. In this episode of Lifts & Leaders – the official podcast of interlift – we speak with David Wallen, Managing Director at Hydroware. David’s career started on construction sites as a mechatronic apprentice, installing elevators with his own hands. Over more than 20 years in the industry, he moved through installation, supervision, sales and international leadership roles before becoming Managing Director for Hydroware in the DACH region. In the conversation, David shares why the mechanical core of an elevator still matters, even in an increasingly digital world. He explains how microcontrollers, cloud connectivity and modernization kits are transforming maintenance, while craftsmanship, teamwork and trust remain essential. We talk about: * learning the elevator business from the bottom up, * why rails, doors and mechanics are still the heart of every lift, * how Hydroware approaches modernization and customer support, * leadership inspired by team sports and collaboration, * cloud-based monitoring and data-driven maintenance, * and why the elevator industry remains a close-knit global family. A grounded and authentic conversation about experience, responsibility and shaping the next chapter of vertical mobility. Learn more: interlift: https://www.interlift.de/ [https://www.interlift.de/] Hydroware: https://hydroware.de/ [https://hydroware.de/] David Wallen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wallen-788306131/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wallen-788306131/]

#8 Engineering Across Cultures – Bhavesh Mistry on Global Growth, Ropes and Systems Thinking

How culture, engineering excellence and sustainability shape the future of lifting systems worldwide. In this episode of Lifts & Leaders – the official podcast of interlift – we speak with Bhavesh Mistry, Chief Sales & Revenue Officer and Deputy CEO at Brugg Lifting. Bhavesh shares a truly global career path that spans the UK, Africa, China and Switzerland. From building a factory in China at a young age to leading international sales and strategy for one of the most established lifting technology companies, his story reflects how deeply culture, communication and engineering are connected in the elevator industry. We talk about: * learning Chinese and leading teams across cultures, * building Brugg Lifting’s elevator rope business globally, * why ropes are far more complex than they appear, * Swiss engineering values and long-term partnerships, * sustainability, energy efficiency and system-level thinking, * moving from selling products to delivering integrated systems, * and why organizational transformation is as important as digitalization. A thoughtful conversation about leadership, humility, global collaboration and how the elevator industry evolves by combining tradition with innovation. Learn more: interlift: https://www.interlift.de/ [https://www.interlift.de/] Brugg Lifting: https://brugglifting.com/ [https://brugglifting.com/] Bhavesh Mistry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavesh-mistry-28475912/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavesh-mistry-28475912/]

#7 From Elevators to Digital Twins – Alessandro Pilone on Data-Driven Vertical Mobility

How digital twins, AI and sustainability are reshaping elevator modernization and smart cities. In this episode of Lifts & Leaders – the official podcast of interlift – we speak with Alessandro Pilone, Co-Founder and CEO of Skanio, a Finland-based startup on a mission to digitize the elevator industry through digital twins of buildings and lifts. After more than 25 years in elevator R&D across Europe, China and the US, Alessandro decided to step out of traditional industry roles and build a new approach to modernization. With Skanio, he focuses on digitally surveying buildings, creating accurate 3D models and using data, AI and machine learning to plan safer, faster and more sustainable elevator upgrades. We talk about: * why skills shortages and aging buildings demand new digital tools, * how Skanio creates digital twins from real on-site surveys, * moving the industry from 2D drawings to 3D, data-driven planning, * using AI to identify components, materials and spare parts, * sustainability through reuse, recycling and smarter modernization, * and why elevators must become part of future smart cities. A forward-looking conversation about changing mindsets, scaling innovation and bringing the elevator industry into the digital age. Learn more: interlift: https://www.interlift.de/ [https://www.interlift.de/] Skanio: https://www.skanio.co/ [https://www.skanio.co/] Alessandro Pilone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-pilone/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-pilone/]

#6 Design, Data and Global Growth – Michael Gubisch on Building Smart Elevator Interfaces

How operating panels, IoT connectivity and international leadership are shaping the user experience in elevators. In this episode of Lifts & Leaders – the official podcast of interlift – we speak with Michael Gubisch, Managing Director at Schäfer GmbH. Michael shares his journey of more than two decades in the elevator industry and explains how Schäfer evolved from a traditional German family business into a truly global provider of smart operating panels and control interfaces. He describes why elevator panels are often called the “business card” of the lift — the one element every passenger interacts with. The conversation explores: * how elevators have evolved from mechanical systems to connected IoT components, * why user experience, accessibility and vandalism protection are critical design factors, * what it takes to scale internationally while staying true to quality and regulation, * how global teams and cultural diversity influence leadership, * and why step-by-step innovation matters more than chasing hype. A thoughtful discussion about technology, leadership and the human side of smart elevator systems. Learn more: interlift: https://www.interlift.de/ [https://www.interlift.de/] Schäfer GmbH: https://wsschaefer.com/ [https://wsschaefer.com/] Michael Gubisch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gubisch-06842a60/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gubisch-06842a60/]