GEDA: A regal summer in the UK

With the provision of a GEDA ERA 1200 Z/ZP for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the installation of 22 devices at the London 2012 Olympic Games, GEDA has had a very eventful year in the United Kingdom.

Summer 2012 has been a summer of huge events for the British capital. The spectacular Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations with its exceptional programme of events had hardly come to a close when the next major event of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, was about to open its doors.

GEDA ERA 1200 Z/ZP on a royal mission

The United Kingdom had not seen such a huge spectacle for more than 350 years, with four days from 2-5 June being dedicated to celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Elizabeth II became Queen in February 1952 after the death of her father, George VI, and was crowned on 2 June 1953. Apart from Queen Victoria in 1897, Elizabeth II is the only British queen to have celebrated a diamond jubilee.

After the extensive Jubilee pageant on the Thames, the space in front of Buckingham Palace and The Mall were transformed into an enormous open air concert arena. The concert was packed with superstars including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, former Beatle Paul McCartney, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, representing 60 years of pop music to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Up to 50,000 people watched the event from The Mall, as half a million music and royalty fans gathered in Central London.

In order to transport the members of the Royal Family, led of course by The Queen, comfortably and safely on to the VIP stand, a GEDA ERA 1200 Z/ZP transport platform was installed. It goes without saying that the lift was clad in a red carpet for this purpose – so "very British".

There are three different variants of the GEDA ERA 1200 Z/ZP transport platform. Variant "C" measuring 1.40 x 3.20 metres was used in London. The load capacity is 1,000 kg with a hoisting speed of 12/24 m/min and the GEDA ERA 1200 Z/ZP is designed for a maximum lifting height of 150 metres. The compact base unit enables easy transport to the assembly/disassembly site and the practical installation accessories make the basic assembly of the device easier.
Of course great emphasis was also placed on the safety of the Royals during the Jubilee Concert and this was provided by the GEDA landing level safety gates which ensured the safe passage from the lift to the stand.

GEDA at the Olympic Games: Gold in 22 disciplines

In July the eyes of the whole world again turned to London as 14,700 athletes from the whole world competed for the coveted Olympic medals. The Olympic flame has now been extinguished but the memories of a unique Summer Olympic Games in London live on.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games were also a unique project for GEDA-Dechentreiter GmbH & Co.KG since the construction hoist manufacturer equipped the sports venues with a total of 22 devices.

The organisers of the Olympic Games took advantage of GEDA's experience now dating back over 80 years and decided to install devices from the Bavarian manufacturer to transport spectators up to the stands. These were based on a special scaffold construction which can only absorb low anchoring forces. This was no problem for GEDA – whether it was the nine GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platforms, the seven GEDA 500 Z/ZP devices or the six Multilift P18 S devices – GEDA scored top marks with its whole product range and contributed to the smooth running of the Olympic Games. And finally there were the Paralympic Games held between 29.08. and 09.09.2012 during which GEDA lifts were mainly used to assist spectators in wheel-chairs access the stands in comfort.

The United Kingdom is in a festive mood - and GEDA is joining in

When all is said and done, the UK can look back on a summer of superlatives. With British punctuality – despite a tight schedule – and quality "made in Germany", GEDA has made an important contribution to the success of two huge events which the United Kingdom and the whole world will remember for a long time to come.