Malta 2025 Convention Highlights
The EASA Europe, Asia & Africa Chapter Convention 2025 took place in Malta from October 2–4, bringing together 148 participants from 97 companies across 25 countries at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands. The event once again demonstrated the strength and unity of our chapter community, providing a platform for collaboration, learning, and exchange among professionals from across the electromechanical service industry.
This year’s theme, “Get Ahead of AI,” addressed one of the most important developments shaping our sector. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the message was clear: AI will not replace local service companies, but those that embrace it will outperform those that don’t. This key topic guided our sessions and discussions throughout the convention, offering practical insights on how digital tools, data, and intelligent systems are transforming maintenance, manufacturing, and service operations.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from EASA EAA President Edwin den Breejen and General Manager Frédéric Beghain, setting the tone for an engaging and forward-looking program. Barry Bullard, EASA International Chairman, presented the new internationalisation strategy, highlighting the path ahead for our Association and recognising the valuable contribution of the Europe, Asia & Africa Chapter to EASA’s global growth.
In his session on Electromechanical Excellence: Capability for a Changing World, Bjørn Eirik Mjåtveit (Aeron AS, Norway) discussed how the industry must adapt to fast-moving change, addressing skills shortages, applying AI and sensors, and driving growth through electrification and sustainability. Knud Lasse Lueth (IoT Analytics, Germany) followed with The Impact of New Technologies on Manufacturers and Motor Service Providers, explaining how digitalisation from IoT and AI is reshaping the sector, creating both opportunities and challenges depending on access to data and technology.
The convention also featured strong technical and research-based presentations. John Zuleger and Scott Smrdel (IPS, USA) shared a study analysing more than 24,000 motor repairs in Estimated Environmental Impact of Electric Motor Reconditioning and Rewinding. Their findings confirmed that repair and rewind extend motor life, recover materials, and deliver efficiency gains of 2–3%, leading to major environmental benefits such as reduced CO₂ emissions and water use.
In an interactive panel titled Ready or Not, Here AI Comes! The AI-FOMO Challenge, Anja Leipold (Menzel Elektromotoren, Germany), Marie-Claude Rasendra (Megger, France), and Laurent Clair (Mersen, France) used live polls and real examples to explore how AI is transforming B2B marketing, from content creation and lead generation to data policies and ROI-driven adoption. Their key takeaway: don’t adopt AI for the sake of it: start small, experiment, and focus on measurable impact.
Wim Vancauwenberghe (BEMAS, Belgium) showed practical ways to apply generative AI in maintenance and service environments in his talk, How Can Chat-GPT Be Used in Maintenance & Service Organizations? He demonstrated how AI can create maintenance instructions, analyse reports, and forecast needs, always with a focus on data quality, security, and human oversight.
Several technical sessions highlighted engineering innovation in action. Eric Boulai and Xavier André (Nidec Power E, France) presented Temporary Stator Winding Repair (MHV), a temporary repair method restoring operation up to 80% of rated power and achieving substantial customer savings across 23 cases. Andreas Biebighäuser (ProFluxx, Germany) discussed Retrofit Alternators and their potential for improving efficiency and grid compliance, while Anar Orujov (Glensol, Azerbaijan) offered valuable insights on Submersible Motors for Sea Water Lift Pumps at Offshore Platforms. Finally, Dr. Martin Killeen (EASA EAA Ex Trainer, UK) delivered important Updates on IEC Ex, explaining the changes introduced in IEC 60079-19 Edition 5 (August 2025) and their implications for Ex motor repair standards and quality management.
The Annual General Meeting marked an important moment of renewal for the Chapter’s leadership. New Council Members: Lotta Rorick (Sweden), Shaun Sutton (UK), and Paris Valiadis (Greece)were welcomed to the team, alongside Neil Gallant (Neurotronic, UK) as Treasurer and Gunnar Pille (VDP Industries, Belgium) as Vice President.
In a gesture of appreciation, a thank-you trophy was presented to Richard Emery for his dedicated service as Vice President of the Chapter.
A highlight of the convention was the presentation of the 2025 EASA Karsten Moholt Exceptional Achievement Award to Jannes Plietker (Menzel Elektromotoren, Germany) for his groundbreaking research on partial discharge testing in high-voltage motor insulation systems and cable specimens.
This year’s convention once again showed that member participation is essential to EASA’s success. We thank all our expert speakers, dedicated volunteers, and generous sponsors for their contributions to an inspiring and event. Through open dialogue, professional exchange, and shared commitment, the EASA Europe, Asia & Africa Chapter continues to build a stronger, more connected community, ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.
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