The “ July 10 Round Table” begins with a historic and unique ambition for the lift sector: unity, culture, communication, knowledge, social awareness and support for the needs of the most vulnerable.

On 10 July, a round table organised by Elevatori Magazine was held at the Politecnico di Milano on the topic of lift modernisation, a highly topical issue, not least because of the numbers involved: in Italy alone, more than 500,000 lifts are in need of renovation.

It was a highly interesting and high-profile conference, with contributions from industry experts. But above all, it had the great merit of bringing together all those involved in the construction of a lift system. A round table that stirred the waters, kicking off something new.

Here is the new protocol, which will be called “Round Table 10 July”.

Who is the protocol aimed at?

• Lift manufacturers
  Lift component manufacturers
  Lift installers
  Lift maintenance technicians
  Work certifiers
  Condominium and property administrators
  Architectural firms
  Engineering firms
  University lecturers
  Industry experts
  Institutional representatives
  Media representatives
  Millions of users (in the Elevatori Club and beyond)

All participants in the round table are listed by function and not by membership of a particular association. Therefore, in all proceedings, writings, communications, texts intended for information and official documents, reference must be made to the operational sector and not to any association.

Out of respect for all forms of association, we would like everyone to participate in the initiatives of the “10 July Round Table” because they are an expression of the union of all operators in the sector, without exception.

The “ July 10 Round Table” is super partes

In Italy, there are one million lifts in operation, used by tens of millions of people every day. No one can say, “I don’t need a lift.” These machines deserve the utmost attention from the general public and those involved in their management. It is unfair that lifts are considered the poor relation that receives no attention.

We want to promote widespread communication about lifts to the entire national audience and not just to professionals, in order to bring out the expectations and desires of the users of the million lifts in operation.

Only in this way will all operators, bodies and institutions be able to organise the lift’s journey from design to use to everyone’s satisfaction.

This approach will bring out the best energy, creativity and innovation that dominate today’s new economic and financial landscape, both now and in the future.

Solidarity

We are inspired by the humanitarian initiative of those who have always cared for the weakest members of society. Caritas provides food and assistance to the poor. We will build the Caritas of lifts, to provide comprehensive assistance to all those with reduced physical and social abilities. They all have the right to fully enjoy all the services that the wonderful lift offers to humanity.

All components of the system are committed to creating, with their basic product, a Spartan, essential, super-safe lift that is easy to install, without the addition of non-functional elements (frills), but with the fundamental objective of reducing its cost for the benefit of the less well-off.

We always read about elderly people, disabled people and people with mobility difficulties. Of less well-off citizens who are stuck at home for months because there is no lift, it does not work, it is broken, or a spare part is missing. Only then do we realise how essential lifts are. And we become aware of how essential it is to be able to help these people who are experiencing injustice and abuse.

Let’s set up a rapid response unit to help these vulnerable people: let’s think quickly and create this “lift charity”.

Togetherness

To achieve this, we need unity. It has always been said that unity is strength, a concept that seems obvious but is not easy to put into practice on a daily basis. Because unity means abandoning personal interests, accepting other people’s points of view and joining forces to work towards a common goal. Until now, the lift industry has not always managed to be united. For some time now, there has been a new atmosphere, and the round table discussion on 10 July demonstrated (by bringing together all stakeholders: manufacturers, component suppliers, installers, maintenance technicians, inspectors, condominium and property managers, architects, engineers) that there is a desire to pursue this goal.

The lift sector is very important for society, even if little is said about it. The measures to be taken to make passenger transport safer are impressive. Team spirit is needed.

Communication

The media constantly report on horizontal means of transport, especially public transport: trains, underground trains, buses, taxis and aeroplanes. However, it is rare to find news about vertical means of transport. For over a century, lifts have been transporting billions of people without human guidance (artificial intelligence applied without knowing it).

It is true that lifts are not a form of public transport, but belong to private individuals, yet they provide a public service for all those who use them to access public buildings (hospitals, institutional headquarters, public bodies). Lifts therefore have a public and social function.

But, as already mentioned, too little is said about them. We talk about mobile phones, computers, air conditioners, refrigerators, electric cars, driverless cars (lifts have been transporting people without human guidance for a century, thus anticipating artificial intelligence), but never about lifts. We obviously take them for granted, only to realise their importance when an accident occurs.

All categories in the lift sector communicate with each other. We need to make a quantum leap and reach out to ordinary people, who have a lot of curiosity to satisfy. And history reminds us that the most beautiful revolutions come from below. Even the historic “ July 10 Round Table” revolution.

After the conference, many welcome and unexpected expressions of support came from all sectors and all levels: low, medium and high, in terms of professional activities and skills.

Everyone emphasised the need to stay in touch, to communicate more, to engage in constant dialogue so as not to lose sight of the goal. And that’s not all. The urgent need to make the lift theme accessible to everyone, especially users, clearly emerged.

This shows us that everything that emerged from the “Round Table” event was already present in everyone’s subconscious, but dormant. We deserve credit for having awakened it.

We did not invent hot water, we simply communicated that hot water exists: use it.

They replied in unison: yes, thank you.

We have planted many saplings, now everyone can participate (free admission) in what it takes to create a large green forest.