A quarter of a century full of commitment, innovation and team spirit: Michael Abt, Head of Electrical Engineering and Technical Service, celebrates his 25th anniversary with AERO-LIFT Vakuumtechnik GmbH on 1 February. The long-serving employee is not only a central pillar of the company, but also a role model for perseverance, passion and tireless commitment to satisfied customers.

On the occasion of his anniversary, Michael Abt was honoured by the management for his many years of service to the company. Katja Haak and Tobias Pauli presented the jubilarian with a gift and a certificate to thank him for his commitment and his important contribution to the development of AERO-LIFT. They praised Abt's tireless commitment, which has contributed significantly to the company's success story.

Michael Abt's career at AERO-LIFT began in 1995 with a mini-job in electrical engineering at Schaltungsbau Pauli, AERO-LIFT's supplier at the time. Following the integration of switch cabinet construction into AERO-LIFT Vakuumtechnik GmbH in 2000, Abt quickly took on a key role. In the early years, his area of responsibility consisted mainly of the manufacture of control cabinets and control systems, but new challenges were soon added, such as the creation of circuit diagrams, the configuration of control systems and the training of customers and partners. At that time, the company had just five to six employees. Today, AERO-LIFT is an established company with a wide range of products and a modern showroom that enables training and presentations at the highest level - developments that Michael Abt has witnessed at close quarters. 

‘The variety of our products and the opportunity to contribute my strengths and interests motivate me every day,’ says Abt, who particularly appreciates AERO-LIFT's mission to make physically demanding work easier through innovative vacuum technology and thus promote the health of customers. The solutions are not only technically demanding, but also extremely versatile - a challenge that Abt enjoys taking on. He also emphasises the good work-life balance: cycling to work and morning walks with his dog give him the opportunity to switch off and develop new ideas.

Abt considers the introduction of the CLAD-BOY, a battery-powered construction site device, and the standardisation of vacuum lifters, which have made production and service significantly more efficient, to be among the highlights of his work. Abt was instrumental in expanding the after-sales service, from the establishment of UVV tours to the qualification of service technicians. The company is currently working on new service software to further optimise processes and provide customers with even better support.

Senior boss Max Pauli, whom Abt describes as a formative role model and mentor, had a particular influence on his professional development. ‘Mr Pauli has accompanied and encouraged me all these years. His problem-solving mentality not only made AERO-LIFT great, but also shaped me personally. He showed me how important it is to actively tackle challenges instead of giving up. I am happy to pass this attitude on to my colleagues.’
Even after 25 years, Michael Abt is still passionate about what he does. Satisfied customers are his top priority. ‘If our products work smoothly and we can help our customers quickly and competently, then we've done everything right.’ He realises that a strong team is the key to success. ‘The support and cohesion within our company are something special. Together, we always manage to find the best solutions for our customers.’

Looking to the future, Michael Abt sees exciting developments for AERO-LIFT. From intelligent sensors for fault diagnostics to modern training programmes, the technology is being continuously improved. He is also particularly keen to pass on his knowledge and experience to the younger generation in order to continue AERO-LIFT's success story, which is why he is currently working on an internal training concept.

Abt looks back on the past 25 years with pride and gratitude. He particularly remembers the visit of the television team from Pro 7/Galileo, which captured the impressive possibilities of vacuum technology and the innovative power of AERO-LIFT in a documentary. But what really counts for him are the small daily successes: happy customers and a company that inspires him time and time again. Michael Abt is therefore looking forward to the further challenges that the coming years at AERO-LIFT have in store for him.