Q&A With Ian.

Introduction:

In this third instalment of our Day in the Life series, we caught up with Ian, one of our senior lift repair engineers, during his scheduled repair route. On this particular day, Ian was also mentoring one of MV’s newest recruits on their very first day in the field. It quickly became clear just how much technical knowledge Ian brings to the role—and how naturally he passes that experience on to the next generation of lift engineers.

A Day In The Life:  A Candid Q&A with Ian, Senior Lift Repair Engineer at MV Lifts

1. What’s the most challenging repair you’ve tackled—and how did you get the lift operational again?
   One that stands out was at Premier Inn in Kidderminster. The lift had overshot the top landing and activated the safety gear. We couldn’t access it conventionally, so we brought in scaffolding to reach the underside of the car. From there, we deactivated the safety gear, gradually lowered the car while dismantling the scaffold, and carried out a full re-tune of the drive and motor. We also fitted a new encoder. Once the lift was back to floor level, we stripped and rebuilt the safety gear. During reassembly, a few additional components flagged up for replacement. It was a technically demanding job, but in the end, the lift ran fault-free, and the client was over the moon.
2. What’s your process when you arrive on-site for a repair?
   Preparation is key. By the time I’m heading to site, the fault’s usually been diagnosed and parts are ready and waiting in my MV Stores locker. I check every item against the job sheet before leaving. Once on site, I apply out-of-service labels, set up barriers, sign in, and notify the client. Before any tools come out, I double-check the fault and confirm the parts match. I follow a step-by-step approach, laying out removed parts in sequence to avoid errors during refit. Once the repair’s complete, we thoroughly test the system, check for secondary faults, clean the area, and hand the lift back to the client. It’s a methodical process, but it ensures we get it right first time.
3. What types of faults do you see the most, and how can building owners help reduce them?
   The most common issues we see are damaged buttons and doors. It’s usually down to things like people hitting buttons too hard or doors getting knocked by mobility scooters, trolleys, or just from people being a bit impatient. This kind of wear and tear often leads to problems like sprained door shoes and hanger rollers. A bit of education goes a long way, clear signs and simple instructions can really help people use the lift properly and avoid unnecessary damage.

4. How do you balance urgency with delivering a safe, thorough repair?
   It’s never about rushing, it’s about precision. I don’t just dive in and start unbolting things. I assess the fault properly before anything else. When you rush, issues can happen. One job this happened on involved replacing ropes, but we discovered on-site that the new ropes were 1mm out in diameter. That tiny difference meant starting over but by that time the original ropes had been removed and could not be replaced. Now, I double-check all specs before lifting a single tool. Structure beats speed every time.
5. What’s the most unusual setting you’ve worked in?
   Working on a mortuary lift was definitely memorable. That aside, I used to install stairlifts in private homes. It’s a very personal environment, you’re in someone’s sanctuary, so you’ve got to be extra mindful, keep mess to a minimum, and treat the space with the upmost respect.
6. What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
   Hearing a lift power back up after a tricky breakdown never gets old. Of course, if it doesn’t work straight away, it’s back to basics, check, test, repeat. But that’s rare when you stick to a structured method. I also really enjoy mentoring junior engineers. Hands-on learning, explained clearly, is how they grow, and MV trusts me to help bring them through to qualification, which I take seriously. It’s great to pass that knowledge on.
7. Got a funny story from the job?
   Oh, definitely, my infamous hydraulic oil shower. Back when I was an assistant, we were changing a hose on a hydraulic lift. Pressure was drained, or so we thought. I lifted the slack hose above my head to try and take slack off the hose as we were struggling to crack the hose coupling nut, my engineer managed to crack the nut. Cue a full-body soak in hydraulic oil. No spare clothes, so I just wiped down and carried on. I still laugh about it now!

8. Is there one tool or bit of kit you couldn’t work without?
   I’d struggle to pick just one, my whole kit sees action. From spanners and power tools to seal picks, everything has its moment. But if I had to choose, it’s my notebook. I document every repair, jot down settings, sketch brackets, and log measurements. I’ve even got separate notebooks for fabrications and design ideas. It’s probably my most-used tool.
9. What makes MV Lifts stand out as an employer?
   For me, it’s the flexibility. Balancing work and family life isn’t easy, especially with young kids, and MV genuinely understands that. They’ve got your back when you need it. Technically, the support is just as strong, whether it’s knowledgeable staff in the office or experienced more senior engineers on the other end of the phone. Plus, they’ve entrusted me with training the next generation of lift engineers, which says a lot. It’s a great team to be part of.

Conclusion:

Spending time with Ian offered a real insight into the skill, structure, and passion that go into lift repairs at MV. From tackling complex repairs to guiding the next generation of engineers, Ian’s dedication to doing the job right, first time and every time shines through in everything he does. It’s engineers like Ian who keep our lifts running safely and reliably, and who set the standard for what it means to be part of the MV team.