An elevator system including: a drive system including a motor and a drive for providing a source of power for the motor; and apparatus for reducing heat in the drive system, the apparatus for reducing heat comprising: at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) in heat exchanging contact with at least one component of the drive system, the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) having a first portion for receiving heat from the at least one component of the drive system; the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) being adapted to transfer heat from the first portion to a second portion spaced from the first portion; and a heat exchange device proximate the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element for withdrawing heat from the second portion to cool the at least one component of the elevator drive system; the elevator system further including a structural element (149; 151) proximate the at least one component of the drive system; wherein the heat exchange device comprises a portion of the structural element (149; 151) adapted to exchange heat from the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element at a location spaced from the at least one component of the drive system, and characterised in that the at least one heat conducting element is at least one heat spreader element mounted to the structural element (149, 151) and to which the at least one component (141, 143) of the drive system is mounted, wherein the at least one component is the drive of the drive system. a drive system including a motor and a drive for providing a source of power for the motor; and apparatus for reducing heat in the drive system, the apparatus for reducing heat comprising: at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) in heat exchanging contact with at least one component of the drive system, the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) having a first portion for receiving heat from the at least one component of the drive system; the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) being adapted to transfer heat from the first portion to a second portion spaced from the first portion; and a heat exchange device proximate the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element for withdrawing heat from the second portion to cool the at least one component of the elevator drive system; the elevator system further including a structural element (149; 151) proximate the at least one component of the drive system; wherein the heat exchange device comprises a portion of the structural element (149; 151) adapted to exchange heat from the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element at a location spaced from the at least one component of the drive system, and characterised in that the at least one heat conducting element is at least one heat spreader element mounted to the structural element (149, 151) and to which the at least one component (141, 143) of the drive system is mounted, wherein the at least one component is the drive of the drive system. at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) in heat exchanging contact with at least one component of the drive system, the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) having a first portion for receiving heat from the at least one component of the drive system; the at least one heat conducting element (146; 147) being adapted to transfer heat from the first portion to a second portion spaced from the first portion; and a heat exchange device proximate the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element for withdrawing heat from the second portion to cool the at least one component of the elevator drive system; the elevator system further including a structural element (149; 151) proximate the at least one component of the drive system; wherein the heat exchange device comprises a portion of the structural element (149; 151) adapted to exchange heat from the second portion of the at least one heat conducting element at a location spaced from the at least one component of the drive system, and characterised in that the at least one heat conducting element is at least one heat spreader element mounted to the structural element (149, 151) and to which the at least one component (141, 143) of the drive system is mounted, wherein the at least one component is the drive of the drive system.