NBSL: Interview with CEO Stefano Girardi

The European lift market is very important to Stefano Girardi, CEO of NBSL Europe and member of the board of directors at Prisma, and the company he represents.

"Technical, regulatory, industrial knowledge is a valuable asset for any Group that wants to have a global dimension", says Girardi in an interview with LIFTjournal.

Stefano Girardi, CEO of NBSL Europe and member of the board of Prisma. Photo: © NBSL

Giradi: "I take as example the modernization sector, which has been vital for Europe since many decades; the Chinese world is slowly approaching that, after decades of absolute non-interest."

You have a stand at the interlift – what new products will NBSL be showing there?
Girardi: We are going to display the full range of the Prisma SPA automatic doors plus components intended to be commercialized directly from China in those markets buffer between Europe and Asia. The real innovation at this fair is the "Made in Italy" door developed for the residential market, called P300. We are very proud of this development that has involved Group resources for more than two years. With this Line P300 we intend to fulfill a gap we have in Europe in the residential segment and convince the entire spectrum of our clients regarding our long-term strategy in Europe.

Why did NBSL take over the Italian door manufacturer Prisma a few years ago?
Girardi: The acquisition of Prisma S.p.A in 2020 is part of the strategy to develop a global Group. NBSL, now managed by the second generation, is an industrial Group based today on 6 manufacturing Plants; core business is the elevators field. The ambition is to support our global customers with an industrial network in all the Regions. Prisma S.p.A, in addition to providing an essential manufacturing footstep in Europe, also provides a formidable reservoir of technical know-how.

The Prisma Productboard. Photo: © NBSL

What role does the European market play for the company?
Girardi: Very important, no doubt. Technical, regulatory, industrial knowledge is a valuable asset for any Group that wants to have a global dimension. I take as example the modernization sector, which has been vital for Europe since many decades; the Chinese world is slowly approaching that, after decades of absolute non-interest.

What strategy is NBSL pursuing – also vis-à-vis its competitors?
Girardi: We have established a very knowledgeable Team in Europe, joining existing resources and new members coming from top experiences in the elevators field. We respect all our competitors, but we pursue our long-term strategy.

How has NBSL's portfolio developed, what is planned for the future?
Girardi: The Mid Term goal is to have global Lines Platforms. Common elements but satisfying completely the regional needs and experiences and, last but not least, the capability to be served locally. The P300 is the first Line developed one these concepts, step by step we are going to satisfy those needs for all the segments and Regions.

The headquarter of Prisma in Italy. Photo: © NBSL

NBSL is a Chinese company – is it true that companies there are required to work with open systems. If so, why?
Girardi: Concerning the OEM’s I am rather convinced that all those networks are based on proprietary protocols, so not reflecting the open systems or more specifically the "CANopen Lift" standard. I do not have a comprehensive knowledge about the extended application of open systems by other elevators and components companies.

What is NBLS doing in terms of digitalization, artificial intelligence, smart products and cyber security in their products?
Girardi: We are working since years having in mind the process of connecting everyday physical devices to the internet so able to access the new available services. In other words, according to the Internet of Things (IoT) concepts. The door controllers of Prisma S.p.A. can already provide connectivity thru the industrial CAN-bus protocol to other controllers and – thru Bluetooth – to Apps on cellular/PAD or PC devices; the new Line P300 will extend such features to a wider list of industrial protocols.

The interview was conducted by Ulrike Lotze.

NBSL and Prisma: Founded in 1983, NBSL says it has become one of the largest elevator component manufacturers in China and ranks among the top 500 in China's engineering industry. The group develops, manufactures and sells the series products of elevator door system, traction machine, cabin and safety components. Prisma is a global manufacturer and supplier of automatic doors for elevators, based in Italy.

nbsl.com
prismaitaly.it/en/