User:BenG2233/sandbox

The British Lift Association (BLA) was officially formed in 1984 to give a voice to all UK companies operating in the Lift and Escalator sector. There was a growing need for greater representation by the end of the 1970's and it was felt by many people working in the Lift and Escalator sector that a fully representative association was needed that included the many significant and growing independent lift and component companies. The first serious suggestion for a new association was made by Tom Galton in an informal conversation with Bob Deevy, one of the founders of the Thames Valley Lifts Company and he decided to talk over the idea with Bill Gale, a well known figure within the lift sector. Following a productive meeting, Bob and Bill decided to progress the initiative and it was agreed that Bill Gale should sound out a number of other leading entrepreneurs in the sector.

A group of six was soon assembled and they committed to take on the idea and Bill Gale was asked to lead the initiative. Rapidly, other companies signed up and the BLA (British Lift Association) was able to give a voice to a growing number of independent lift companies, suppliers and related professionals. From the start it was agreed that voting within the Association would be on the basis of one company one vote so that an all inclusive membership could be realised. Following the success of the launch, John Gale suggested that the promotion of the Association and the members’ activities should be considered. Bill Gale, George Jackson, and the BLA committee thought this was important and an exhibition where the members’ activities and expertise could be shown was considered to be a good starting point. An exhibition committee was set up in 1985 to investigate and instigate the event which resulted in the 1986 exhibition and so started the phenomenon of Lift and Escalator Exhibitions.

The BLA ran as an independent association until the European authorities asked that one association per member state would be advantageous in pursuing meaningful European codes and standards. So it was that NALM and the BLA moved to form a new association in 1995/6 with the formalisation of the new association LEIA (Lift and Escalator Industry Association) taking place in 1997.

The influential Lift Exhibition started by the BLA has continued and now is held every 3 years under the banner of LIFTEX and has maintained an important event for the UK Lift and Escalator sector as a valued showcase for lift products and related information.