Key Takeaways

• Sesame’s engineering culture is built on trust, autonomy and shared responsibility. This results in fast issue resolution, typically within minutes, and consistently high lift reliability.

• Cross-training between engineers strengthens product knowledge and reduces lift downtime across bespoke hidden lifts such as the Wellington Lift and the Richmond Rising Platform Lift.

• Agile 10-minute problem-solving huddles prevent delays during complex installations, supporting smoother project delivery for architects and contractors.

• New learning-capture processes help ensure decisions and improvements are retained rather than lost, creating a more resilient engineering culture.

• This collaborative environment directly benefits high-precision installations like the Windsor Lift and strengthens long-term client confidence.

Introduction

Behind every Sesame lift is an engineering culture designed to deliver reliability, precision and long-term performance. Engineers are encouraged to share knowledge, learn new skills and take ownership of problem-solving. This people-first approach not only strengthens every bespoke lift system but also ensures smooth installation workflows, clear communication and dependable service support. Whether an architect specifies the Wellington Lift or a contractor is coordinating a complex pit build, the engineering culture at Sesame directly influences the success of the project.

To understand the full picture, this article explains how engineers collaborate, how knowledge is shared, and how this culture contributes to consistent lift reliability.

How does trust and autonomy improve lift reliability?

Sesame engineers work in a culture built on trust. Team members are encouraged to explore new skills—from welding to machining to quality inspection—because deeper knowledge leads to better decision-making. Many engineers have between five and fifteen years of hands-on experience across multiple departments, giving them wide situational awareness of how each lift component interacts.

When an engineer understands how a staircase lift behaves mechanically, electrically and structurally, they can identify and resolve issues before they become faults. This contributes to short average resolution times and helps keep bespoke lifts such as the Windsor Lift running smoothly in demanding environments.

For a real example of how Sesame invests in skill development, see our article on Our First Degree Apprenticeship in Engineering.

How do engineers share skills across generations and departments?

Knowledge flows freely across the team. Younger engineers help modernise digital workflows, while experienced colleagues provide foundational theory and hands-on training. This creates a balanced approach where legacy techniques and modern engineering tools coexist.

In practice, this includes:

• Teaching advanced welding or machining to team members from other departments

• Sharing practical experience of lift mechanics with apprentices

• Helping more experienced engineers adapt to digital design tools

• Creating a shared understanding of how each lift progresses from concept to installation

This two-way learning process strengthens the reliability of lifts like the Richmond Rising Platform Lift. It also aligns closely with the operational improvements described in our article on Workflow Optimisation for Lift Projects, which explores how collaboration and structured processes reduce delays and coordination risks.

Why does Sesame call itself a “family of problem-solvers”?

When a problem arises, the team does not escalate it through long chains. Instead, the three or four people who understand the issue best hold a short huddle, clarify the problem and agree the fix. These focused discussions usually take around 10 minutes and prevent issues from becoming bottlenecks.

This agile approach supports the installation of architecturally sensitive lifts such as the Wellington Lift, where even small delays can impact tight programmes. By resolving issues early, engineers maintain both the installation timeline and the reliability of the final system.

How does agile decision-making support architects and contractors?

Bespoke hidden lifts often integrate into heritage staircases, feature stonework or complex contemporary interiors. Installation environments can change rapidly, especially when multiple trades are working on-site.

Agile decision-making helps Sesame engineers:

• Adapt quickly to unexpected site conditions

• Maintain installation timelines by resolving issues on the spot

• Ensure millimetre accuracy when tolerances are tight

• Keep communication clear and consistent with contractors

The result is fewer delays, smoother workflows and improved coordination for construction teams. This is especially important when installing precision-engineered systems like the Windsor Lift, where high accuracy is essential.

Why is learning capture essential for long-term reliability?

While the team is strong at solving problems immediately, some insights can be lost when engineers move on to the next task. Learning capture helps ensure these solutions become part of the company’s continuous improvement process.

A simple weekly review can consolidate:

• Quick decisions from on-the-spot huddles

• Updates to internal processes

• Improvements to site coordination

• Revisions to installation workflows

This creates a more consistent engineering culture, reduces future errors and gives new team members a clear reference point for how Sesame solves problems across projects. This approach is supported by the structured methods outlined in articles such as Workflow Optimisation for Lift Projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does engineering culture affect lift installation timelines?

A strong engineering culture reduces delays by enabling engineers to solve issues quickly on-site. Agile huddles and cross-skilled teams keep installation workflows moving smoothly.

Why is problem-solving experience important in listed building lift projects?

Heritage environments often present unexpected challenges. Engineers who understand both the lift system and the architectural constraints can resolve issues without disrupting protected features.

How does cross-training improve lift reliability?

Engineers with multi-disciplinary skills can diagnose issues faster, understand upstream and downstream implications, and collaborate more effectively with other departments.

What is learning capture, and why does it matter?

Learning capture ensures that solutions and improvements are documented and shared. This prevents repeated problems and builds a stronger long-term engineering culture.

What approach works best for lifts installed in tight or complex spaces?

Agile problem-solving supported by clear decision-making processes. Quick huddles between relevant engineers allow precise adjustments even in challenging environments.

Do engineering culture and workflow optimisation reduce lift downtime?

Yes. When engineers understand the whole system, and when decision-making is fast and collaborative, downtime is significantly reduced across all lift models.