"In Ralph Kanzler, we are losing a very good friend ..."

The Association of SME Lift Companies (VmA) is in mourning for Ralph Kanzler. He died suddenly and unexpectedly on 10 December 2021 at the age of 54.

The managing partner of Kanzler Aufzüge GmbH was the association chairman for many years. "We’ve lost a very good friend, colleague and fighter for the concerns of SMEs in lift building in Ralph Kanzler. His specialist knowledge, warmth and humane personality made him a respected contact beyond the bounds of the VmA," according to the obituary of the association.

He had already come into contact with lifts as a young man when his father established Kanzler Aufzüge in Ulm in 1980. He completed his commercial training in a bank and joined the family company at the age of 28. He assumed its management together with his mother shortly thereafter due to the death of his father.

He was elected first chairman of the VmA in 2009. He did not stand for re-election at the annual general meeting in autumn 2021 in order to be able to spend more time with his family.

Passion for the lift industry

"During his period in office, Ralph Kanzler gave the small and medium-sized lift companies a voice in many committees and also strove for free and fair competition," the obituary continued. Thanks to his tireless work, the reputation of the VmA grew noticeably in the German and European lift family. "We have lost a great colleague and very good friend in Ralph Kanzler. We will never forget his passion for the lift industry."

The VFA-Interlift was also saddened by his death, "We have lost a friend and an advocate of the VFA-Interlift e.V. in Ralph Kanzler, who fought for the SMEs in the lift industry for many years," wrote VFA chairman Achim Hütter.

"His warm and prudent personality made him an extraordinary association member during all the years of cooperation. "His passion for the lift industry will always be an example.

More information: vma.de