Q&A With Matt.

Introduction:

In this edition of our service spotlight, we sit down with Matt, an experienced lift service engineer at Morris Vermaport Lifts, who has spent nearly a decade maintaining and repairing vertical transport systems across a wide range of environments, from hospitals and heritage buildings to university campuses. With a strong background in engineering and a passion for problem-solving, Matt shares his insights into the realities of life on the tools, the challenges of modern lift systems, and what it takes to succeed in the industry.

Q&A With Matt – Morris Vermaport Lift Service Engineer

1. What’s the most challenging lift breakdown you’ve ever attended? A tape head reader fault was one of the trickiest I’ve faced. One of the channels failed, and the lift wouldn’t level correctly at some floors and wouldn’t open its doors at others. The fault wasn’t immediately obvious – it turned out to be a failed proximity switch on the reader itself, which in turn wasn’t energising the tape head relay. Luckily, there was a spare channel on the tape head reader, and I was able to realign the magnets on the tape to suit the new channel. This then required rewiring, but once done, the lift was able to operate correctly again. This also made the staff at the particular hotel very happy to have their only lift back working again!

2. What’s one of the most common faults you see during service visits, and how can building owners help prevent them? Damaged pushbuttons, both on landings and in the car are very common. They’re often caused by users hitting them too hard or repeatedly trying to make the lift arrive faster. Another frequent issue is door misalignment, usually due to impacts from e-scooters or mobility scooters. Preventative measures like signage, protective skirting, and careful access management can really help.

3. What’s one thing you wish more building managers understood about lift maintenance? Many assume we carry every possible spare part, but that’s just not feasible. While we always aim for a first-time fix, some issues require parts that need to be ordered. It’s important to understand that delays aren’t due to inaction; we’re often waiting on the correct components to arrive.

4. What inspired your career in lift engineering, and how has Morris Vermaport shaped your professional development? I didn’t start out with lifts in mind, but I always knew I wanted to be in engineering. I applied to MV Lifts hoping for an apprenticeship and was fortunate to be accepted. Since then, I’ve completed my NVQs, developed my skills, and had incredible support. It’s a company that values growth and puts people first.

5. What’s a typical day like for you as a service engineer? At the University of Nottingham, where I’m based, I follow a structured schedule across dozens of lifts, well over a 100 in total. Depending on their usage, they’re serviced every 1, 3, or 6 months. I average around 10 to 12 services per day, using a PDA with colour-coded due dates. In addition to servicing, I attend callouts and occasionally help with nearby sites when required.

6. What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever discovered in a lift shaft? Before I started at the University, I once responded to a breakdown at Twycross Zoo and found a large dead bat in the shaft. That was probably the oddest. More commonly, we find mobile phones, earbuds—usually just one—or even birds that have made their way in unnoticed.

7. What do you enjoy most about being a service and repair engineer? The variety. No two days are ever quite the same, and I really enjoy the satisfaction of diagnosing and resolving faults. Technology is constantly evolving, so it keeps you learning and thinking.

8. What’s been the most rewarding repair or project you’ve worked on? One standout was a re-rope job at Sheffield Hallam Hospital, 20 floors, which had four lifts in total within the tower. We successfully re-roped two of the lifts. It was physically demanding, but we worked together really well, and it was hugely rewarding.

9. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in lift engineering? Absolutely go for it. It’s a lifelong career with job security, ongoing learning, and plenty of demand. There is always a need for good engineers, and with the right company, like MV Lifts, the career progression is excellent.

10. What do you value most about working with Morris Vermaport? I’m trusted to manage my workload, which means a lot. If I need support, it’s there, no questions asked. The team is knowledgeable and responsive—when I request parts, they are ordered straight away. It is a workplace that runs on trust and professionalism.

Conclusion:

Matt’s journey is a great example of how hands-on expertise and supportive company culture can combine to create a rewarding, long-term career in lift engineering. Whether it’s keeping critical transport systems running smoothly or tackling unusual breakdowns with technical precision, engineers like Matt are the backbone of the Lift industry.

If you’re considering a future in lift engineering or looking for a service provider that values experience and reliability, Morris Vermaport Lifts offers both a trusted name and a talented team behind the scenes.