Category Archives:
VM Elevators | Play On The Pitch at London Stadium
On Thursday 16 April, VM Elevators attended the Play On The Pitch event at London Stadium, an experience that brought together professionals from across industries for a unique day of football, networking, and shared energy.
Hosted by Eleven Sports Media, the event offered a rare opportunity to step onto the pitch itself, creating a memorable once in a lifetime opportunity.
From the sidelines, the atmosphere was just as impactful. Watching teams compete, support each other, and fully embrace the experience highlighted the value of events like this in bringing people together.
At VM Elevators, we recognise the importance of relationships across the industries we work within, from construction and property to facilities management.
Events like Play On The Pitch create a different kind of environment, one where conversations happen naturally, barriers come down, and connections are strengthened in a more relaxed and engaging setting.
It’s these moments that often lead to stronger partnerships and better collaboration across future projects.
As a business, VM Elevators is proud to be part of an industry that is becoming more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
A big thank you to Eleven Sports Media for hosting such a well-organised and enjoyable event. The attention to detail, structure of the day, and overall atmosphere made it a standout experience for everyone involved
VM Elevators continues to support and engage with events that bring value to the wider industry. Whether through networking, collaboration, or shared experiences, these moments play an important role in how we grow as a business and as a community.
Contact VM Elevators at 0800 448 8615 if you need support with your lift requirements.
We have once again achieved SafeContractor certification
We’re pleased to confirm that we have once again achieved SafeContractor certification, demonstrating our continued commitment to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and compliance across all areas of our work.
As part of this year’s assessment, we’re also proud to have achieved Gold-level Sustainability verification, the highest level awarded within the SafeContractor sustainability framework. This recognition reflects the wider standards we maintain across our business, including environmental responsibility, ethical practices, governance, and our approach to operating as a responsible contractor.
Health and safety has always been central to how we operate. SafeContractor certification involves a detailed review of our policies, procedures, and working practices to ensure they meet recognised industry standards. Achieving and maintaining this accreditation reflects the systems we have in place, the professionalism of our engineers, and our ongoing focus on protecting our staff, clients, and the public.
At VM Elevators Ltd, we see accreditation not as a one-off achievement but as part of a continuous process of improvement. We remain committed to developing our procedures, investing in training, and delivering every project with safety, quality, and responsibility at the forefront.
An Architect’s Guide to Specifying Luxury Lifts in London
When designing high-end properties, architects must carefully consider how vertical transportation will integrate into the wider building concept. Specifying luxury lifts in London requires balancing architectural vision with technical performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term reliability.
Luxury lifts must support the building’s design while meeting the practical requirements of accessibility, passenger flow, and safety. As a result, early collaboration between architects and lift engineers plays a key role in achieving the best outcomes.
Early Design Considerations
The lift specification process typically begins during the initial design stages of a project. At this point, architects must determine the number of lifts required, their positioning within the building, and the expected passenger demand.
Several key factors influence lift specification in luxury developments, including building height, floor layout, and the type of occupants the building will serve. For example, luxury residential buildings may prioritise comfort and privacy, while hotels or commercial buildings may require higher passenger capacity and efficient traffic flow.
In many projects across London, bespoke lift systems are specified to provide greater flexibility. These systems allow lift shafts and cabins to be tailored to the architectural layout rather than forcing the building design to accommodate a standard lift configuration.
Architectural Integration
One of the defining characteristics of luxury lifts in London is their ability to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. Lift lobbies are often designed to reflect the aesthetic identity of the building, and the lift itself becomes part of that visual narrative.
Architects frequently specify bespoke cabin finishes that complement the interior design of the property. Materials such as brushed metals, mirrored glass, stone panelling, and custom lighting features are often incorporated into the lift design.
Glass lift shafts and panoramic cabins are also common in contemporary luxury developments. These installations allow the lift to become a visual feature within the building, particularly in atriums or open-plan spaces.
Technical Performance and Passenger Comfort
While aesthetics are important, architects must also ensure that lift systems deliver excellent technical performance. Luxury lifts must operate smoothly, quietly, and efficiently to meet the expectations of building occupants.
Ride comfort is influenced by several engineering factors, including drive technology, guide rail alignment, and vibration control systems. In premium residential environments, maintaining low noise levels is particularly important to ensure the lift does not disturb occupants.
Accessibility is another important consideration. Lift systems must comply with UK accessibility regulations while remaining visually integrated with the architectural design.
The Value of Collaboration
Successful luxury lift installations are often the result of close collaboration between architects, engineers, and developers. By working together from the earliest stages of a project, teams can ensure that lift systems support both the design ambition and the practical needs of the building.
In London’s highly competitive luxury property market, well-designed lift systems help reinforce the overall quality of a development, delivering both visual impact and reliable performance.
Lift Modernisation in Residential Buildings: Why Upgrading Drive Components Matters
Keeping Residential Lifts Reliable
In residential buildings, lift reliability is essential. Residents depend on lifts every day for accessibility, convenience, and safe movement throughout the building. When key components begin to fail or become obsolete, performance issues, breakdowns, and safety concerns can quickly follow.
Recently, VM Elevators carried out the replacement of a motor encoder and encoder communication board within a residential lift drive system, helping restore reliability and improve long-term performance for residents and property management teams.
What Does a Motor Encoder Do?
A motor encoder plays a critical role within a lift system. It monitors the speed and position of the lift motor, communicating accurate movement data back to the drive system. This allows the lift to travel smoothly, level accurately at floors, and operate safely.
When encoder systems begin to fail, buildings may experience:
- Jerky or inconsistent lift movement
- Levelling inaccuracies
- Fault codes and shutdowns
- Increased breakdown frequency
- Communication errors within the drive system
Replacing ageing encoder equipment is often a vital part of a wider lift modernisation strategy, particularly in older residential buildings where obsolete components can impact ongoing reliability and maintenance costs.
The Importance of Lift Modernisation
Many residential properties across London, Essex, and the South East are operating lift systems that are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain due to ageing or unsupported equipment. Lift modernisation allows building owners and property managers to improve performance while extending the life of the overall system.
Modernisation works can include:
- Drive upgrades
- Controller replacements
- Door equipment upgrades
- Safety system improvements
- Motor and communication component replacements
- Energy-efficiency improvements
By proactively modernising critical components before complete failure occurs, property managers can significantly reduce downtime, improve resident satisfaction, and avoid repeated reactive repair costs.
Working Within Occupied Residential Buildings
Unlike vacant sites, residential environments require engineers to work carefully around occupied buildings and day-to-day resident activity. At VM Elevators, we understand the importance of communication, cleanliness, safety, and minimising disruption while essential works are carried out.
Our engineers work closely with property managers and residents to ensure works are completed efficiently, safely, and with as little inconvenience as possible.
Why Choose VM Elevators?
VM Elevators provides lift maintenance, repairs, installations, and lift modernisation services across London, Essex, and the South East. Our experienced engineers specialise in diagnosing complex lift faults and delivering tailored modernisation solutions designed to improve reliability, safety, and long-term performance.
Whether you manage a residential block, apartment complex, or mixed-use property, VM Elevators can help future-proof your lift systems with responsive, transparent, and professional support.
Looking for Lift Modernisation Support?
If your residential building is experiencing recurring lift faults, obsolete components, or reliability issues, speak to VM Elevators about your lift modernisation options today.
📞 Call 0800 448 8615 to discuss your requirements with our team.
