The 11th edition of Russian Elevator Week (REW), the only elevator event in Russia, was held on 7-9 June 2023 at VDNH, a major centre for festivals, congresses and exhibitions in Moscow.

REW, the largest event in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the field of vertical transport, is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Construction, the National Elevator Union (NLS), the Russian Elevator Association and the Eurasian Elevator Association. During the three days of REW 2023, leading Russian elevator companies and elevator companies from 9 countries presented modern lift cabins, new technologies and equipment, including contactless solutions for the safety and comfort of passengers.

The official opening ceremony took place; Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Construction, Housing and Communal Services Svetlana Razvorotneva, Deputy Director of the Department of Machine Building and Heavy Engineering of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Ivan Troshchenkov, Chairman of the Committee on Entrepreneurship in Housing and Communal Services of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andrey Shirokov, Yerzhan Igibaev, President of the Kazakhstan National Elevator Association, Rakhat Zhunushbayeva, President of the Kyrgyz Elevator Association, Alexei Zakharov, First Vice-President of the National Elevator Association, Tatiana Anisimova, Director of the Convention and Exhibition Department of VDNKh and other guests of honour.

Russian Elevator Week, the elevator equipment exhibition, is held every two years in Moscow and brings together the major players of the global elevator market.

Viktor Tishin, President of the National Elevator Society of Russia (NLS), noted that the exhibition was effective in terms of expanding trade relations and developing interregional and international cooperation. Victor Tishin, President of the National Elevator Society of Russia (NLS) NLS: "The mission of REW is to create conditions for a broad exchange of experience among the leaders of the domestic market, which should serve as the beginning of the implementation of new progressive projects. I am confident that the exhibition will be a tool for establishing useful business contacts, which is the shortest way to expand trade relations." Victor Tishin, President of the Russian National Elevator Society (NLS) NLS, said: "This year more than 100 companies from nine countries participated in REW 2023. Despite difficult political realities and sanctions pressure, elevator companies from Turkey, China, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, China, Iran, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan showcased samples of lifts and freight elevators, control and propulsion systems, industrial equipment and the best world standards. REW 2023 was also attended by representatives from EU countries Italy, Spain and Greece. Thanks to such a broad international representation, the exhibition showcased the latest trends in lift construction, design, production of lift components, equipment spare parts and finishing materials in detail."

Viktor Tishin, President of the National Elevator Society of Russia (NLS), said that Shcherbinsky Elevator Building Plant (ShLZ), Karacharovsky Mechanical Plant (KMZ), Moslift, Euroliftmash, METEOR Lift, MASH UNIT, Nizhegorodliftmash, Pody, KEB -Rus", Cenemek, Doppler, SJEK Corporation, Giovenzana and other companies participating in REW 2023 are important in terms of showing the increasing technological level of the Russian lift industry.

- Russian lift industry is developing

Anatoly Chernikov, CEO of Mogilevlift, pointed to the development of the Russian lift industry and said: "For several years at REW, all trends were set by foreign manufacturers. This was the case both in technical and production areas. Now everyone is discussing issues that are important only for companies in the Russian Federation. Now our manufacturers really have a lot to offer. At REW 2023, Russia's largest lift company Moslift JSC exhibited the 'Strizh' model, designed especially for medical institutions. This lift is equipped with a UV recirculation device for air disinfection in the cabin, operates using contactless RFID cards. It is adapted for passengers with limited mobility, including a built-in infrared door system along the entire height with an increase in size.

The MEL company presented not only an updated brand, but also a new range of lifts. Visitors to the exhibition saw two models 'Cosmos' and 'Latitude'. The design of the first was inspired by space, and the second by the diverse nature of Russia. The advantages include shorter installation and commissioning time, smooth operation, a high level of sound insulation and a specially designed lighting concept due to the use of the latest design developments and advanced lift control stations.

At its booth, METEOR Lift showcased its two lift lines 'Meteor Evo' and 'Meteor Classic', produced at a factory in St. Petersburg. At the same time, the research and production company Meteor Lift also demonstrated a high-speed lift provided under a special partnership with Xizi Elevator Company, including a project to create a frequency converter being worked on under a grant from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

ShchLZ presented a passenger lift of the 'Luna' design with high comfort of movement and innovative solutions in terms of aesthetic design of the cabin. All lifts of the factory near Moscow are equipped with the 'SmartAirKey' contactless control system integrated into the smart home and the 'SmartMirror' system, a digital alternative to notice boards. Shcherbintsy also introduced a new series model with a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg and a travel speed of up to 1.6 m/s - the 'Restyle' standard cabin, designed to replace lift equipment as part of overhaul programmes for residential buildings (MKD). ShchLZ plans to increase its market share in this segment by reducing product cost and modernising the cabin.

KMZ brought its latest product to the exhibition. A series of 'ONIX' lifts with a load capacity of up to 1,600 kg, a travelling speed of up to 2.5 m/s and an original design in gloss black with LED ceiling lighting that passes into the side panels. Also on display was a panoramic lift designed by Karacharovites, made of three layers of tempered glass and featuring the latest protection system against uncontrolled movement.

Whereas previously many advanced systems were produced by foreign manufacturers, today an increasing number of domestic companies are ready to equip their products with new lift models. Among them, for example, is the company 'MASH UNIT', which exhibited several important innovations of its own design at the exhibition. The company exhibited a lift door drive control unit, a 43-inch glass touch control panel, a display behind the mirror and a circulator.

Such a large-scale presentation of the capabilities of Russian factories shows that the domestic lift industry is able to adequately respond to the challenges facing the industry after the introduction of international sanctions and has taken a big step forward in its technological development. This gives us hope that in the near future our manufacturers will be able to meet all the needs for lift equipment that arose after the departure of Western companies.

At the same time, all models offered by our lift manufacturers are maximally adapted to the conditions of the Russian market, which is already showing signs of recovery. It is evidenced by Rosstat data that from the beginning of January to April the production of lift equipment in the country increased by 7.5% compared to the same period last year. There are prospects for further growth in demand. So, if in 2022 the number of elevators for renovation and modernisation at tenders held during the implementation of regional overhaul programmes decreases threefold (from 9,750 to 3,237 units in 2021), then in just five months of 2023, according to the NLS, tenders have already been issued for the replacement of 13,091 units of elevators."

-The revision of existing lifts was discussed

The key event of the first day of the REW-2023 business programme "Russian Elevator Industry: New Challenges - New Solutions" plenary session identified among the priority problems of the elevator industry, especially important for apartment dwellers, the renewal of the country's lift reserve and the search for additional sources of financing for this process. It was noted that there are often not enough funds to replace all lifts in the building, while owners are often not ready to increase the overhaul contribution to guarantee timely replacement of lifts. It was noted at the session that loan programmes for the overhaul of elevators in private buildings or co-financing from the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation could partially help to get out of this difficult situation. On the other hand, according to some experts, the difficulties in this area are largely due to the fact that Russia has not yet created an institution of conscientious homeowners who are aware of the full burden of personal responsibility for the state of common property in apartment buildings.

Participants in the session and in the MKD also identified regions where special attention should be paid to the exchange of lifts. These include Udmurtia, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Yaroslavl and Astrakhan regions.

In the panels held within the scope of the fair, the supply of qualified personnel to the lift sector was also addressed. At the REW-2023 scientific and practical conference "Elevators and equipment: Personnel reserve for the industry", the participants discussed the new requirements for the level of training of specialists and the prospects for the development of the labour market in the elevator industry.

Approximately 120 million square metres of new housing will be built within the framework of national projects

Sergey Stepashin, Chairman of the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Construction: "Elevator workers are facing a number of tasks that have arisen largely due to sanctions. But their decisions have become the impetus for the development of today's advanced projects and programmes. About 120 million square metres of new housing will be built within the framework of national projects, and this huge volume will be supplied by lifts. There is also a growing need for lift equipment as part of the overhaul. Our Public Assembly attaches great importance to the lift sector. It includes one of the most efficient elevator business commissions, which not only developed and implemented the Accelerated Renovation Programme for Elevator Equipment, but also initiated the elevator renovation project with 50% instalment payment for special affordable housing."

REW organised its most comprehensive exhibition to date in 2023

With 104 exhibitors from 9 countries and visited by more than 4,000 industry professionals, REW allowed domestic and foreign manufacturers to show their new products, exhibit new solutions, and demonstrate the value of their "elevators" in a communication and test format. This year, Russian Elevator Week was held in the largest area and with the highest number of exhibitors it has ever reached.

Turkish lift exporters also showed great interest in REW

Turkish manufacturers and exporters also participated in Russian Elevator Week 2023. Ah&Met

Elevator, Türkray Elevator Rails, Upset Elektronik, Akra Elevator, Besgen Elevator, CEO Elevator, Eren Makina, GENEMEK, Metroplast, Onaylift Elevator, Önersan Elevator, Selkas Elevator, Mekisan, Tower Elevator booths and Erden Lift and Vital Elevator with their dealers were the Turkish companies that took part in the exhibition.

- Competitions organised in 10 branches

At the International Elevator Exhibition Russian Elevator Week 2023, the Russian Elevator Association organised a competition in 10 branches with a commission formed by the best experts of the elevator industry. The commission, which determined the winners in 10 categories, announced the results at the end of the second day of REW. Categories and winners were listed as follows:

1. JSC "MEL" - the best lift. The best solution for new construction.
2. JSC "SHLZ" - The best lift. The best replacement solution for multi-family home renovation programmes.
3. LLC PO "Evroliftmash" - the best solutions in the lift industry and transport equipment.
4. LLC "MZPM" - the best solutions for creating a barrier-free environment.
5. CJSC "Parnas Enterprise" - the best solutions for urban infrastructure.
6. LLC "E-Lift" - the best solution in the field of lift control systems.
7. LLC "Lift-Komleks DS" - the best solutions in the field of dispatch control systems and operator services.
8. PJSC "KMZ" - the best solutions in lift equipment (assemblies and components).
9. LLC "Mash Unit" - the best solutions for the installation, service and operation of lifts and vertical transport.
10. OJSC "Mogilevliftmash", LLC "En-El", LLC "Neuron" - the best stand

LLC "METEOR Lift" was awarded for leadership in restructuring and innovation, LLC "SK S.T.S." ("Serpukhov Elevator Building Plant") for loyalty to traditions and innovation, with a special opinion of the Competition Commission.

Russian Elevator Week will host its visitors again in June 2025.