Issue 1033 | 2/7/2024 | Currently reaching 35K Global contacts

ELEVATOR WORLD's February Issue

On the Cover: Champagne, Castles and Collaboration

Features: GEE Milan; Accessibility on the Fast Track; and more…

Focus on Sustainability: Accelerating Decarbonization; Ultra-Thin, Acid-Etched High-Strength Glass; and more…

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EW TO FOCUS ON DOORS AND DOOR OPERATORS
ELEVATOR WORLD's April 2024 issue will focus on Doors and Door Operators with bonus distribution at the National Association of Elevator Contractors Spring Conference in Miramar Beach, Florida, in April. The article submission deadline is February 15, and the advertising deadline is March 1. To participate or for more information, contact the EW Editorial Department at phone: 251-479-4514, ext. 30 or editorial@elevatorworld.com. To advertise, contact ext. 31 or advertising@elevatorworld.com.

NAEC WOMEN IN MOTION EVENTS PLANNED FOR APRIL
The National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) invites members of its Women in Motion group to attend two upcoming meetings. On April 10, the morning of the Elevator Conference of New York Supplier Showcase, Women in Motion will meet from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Villa Barone Manor in Bronx, NY. Read more here

U.K.'S ACCESS BDD ADDS FOUR TO NORTH AMERICAN TEAM
Access BDD, the Stockton-on-Tees, U.K.-based division of TK Access Solutions Ltd., recently announced a "significant stride" in its expansion into the U.S. and Canada with the addition of four new team members. They are Kaylee Buscher, John Biddle and Callum Boyd, business development managers for the Northeast, Southeast and West Coast, respectively, and Juan Rivera, technical manager, West Coast. Read more here

Lift Business Advisors in the last 3 years has successfully represented the sellers of more than 25 elevator contractors and suppliers in the elevator industry to a broad range of acquiring companies. Since our inception in 1998, we have provided hands on support to help improve profitability and optimize value for an eventual exit. Contact Jeff Eaton for a confidential discussion and complimentary strategic review. www.liftbusiness.com, jeff.eaton@liftbusiness.com Advertisement

CHAMPION ELEVATOR NAMES RUDDY PRESIDENT OF MODERNIZATION & CONSTRUCTION
NYC-headquartered Champion Elevator has named Alexandra Ruddy president of its Modernization & Construction division. Joining Champion in 2022, Ruddy has held leadership positions in the company's Operations, Modernization and Construction departments. Prior to joining Champion, Ruddy held major roles at Liberty Elevator Corp. of Paterson, New Jersey, where she managed complex, multimillion-dollar projects, ensuring code compliance and promoting safety standards to realize successful project outcomes and customer satisfaction. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ruddy demonstrates leadership outside the workplace as assistant women's soccer coach at William Paterson University. "Her ability to mentor, develop team strategies and foster a collaborative environment translates seamlessly into her professional role, where she leads by example and inspires her team to deliver the best," Champion observed.

EECO HONORED WITH WAYNE COUNTY AREA CHAMBER AWARD
Elevator Equipment Corp. (EECO) was honored with the "Achievement In Excellence — Large Business" award from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce in Richmond, Indiana. EECO Richmond General Manager Joseph Gibbs accepted the award from Chamber President Melissa Vance during a televised gala on January 19 at Richmond's Kuhlman Center attended by approximately 650 guests. Read more here

Matot Inc. has been North America's choice for lift solutions for over 135 years. An expert in code compliance, Matot builds its dumbwaiters and material lifts in-house from start to finish, including UL fire-rated dumbwaiter doors. Our engineers can work with your specifications or craft a specialized solution for your lift needs. Connect with an expert by calling 800-369-1070 or visit www.Matot.com Advertisement

CECA HOLDS FIRST VIRTUAL ELLE-LEVATOR MEETING
The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) Elle-levator — Women in Industry group held its first virtual meeting via Zoom on February 1. CECA member Louise Stallings of Mohawk College hosted a talk on "Educational Opportunities in the Elevator Industry." The session also included time for attendees to make introductions and share their connections to the vertical-transportation industry. An in-person meeting of the Elle-levator group will take place on February 8 at 2 p.m. EST at Mohawk College. Registration is available online.

ÅMAN APPOINTED MD OF WITTUR NORDICS
Elevator component manufacturer The Wittur Group announced that Peter Åman has been appointed managing director (MD) of Wittur Nordics, effective February 1. Wittur Nordics provides sales and after-sales service to Wittur customers in northern Europe from its premises in Spånga, near Stockholm, Sweden. Åman has worked in the elevator industry for the majority of his 15-plus year career, previously serving as MD of Stockholm-based elevator solutions provider Hissgruppen Sverige AB. He also held leadership and project management roles at Hiss-Craft I Norrland AB and Motum AB, both of Stockholm. "I am thrilled to join a company that has built a strong foundation and reputation in the elevator industry," Åman said. "As we embark on this new chapter together, I am committed to building upon these strengths and driving innovation, growth and excellence."Y

Draka EHC, a brand of Prysmian Group, is a global manufacturer and supplier dedicated to sustainability and developing innovative solutions for the vertical transportation industry. Our diverse portfolio of high-quality elevator products includes travelling cable, compensation cable, hoistway cable, wire rope, coated steel rope, rope brakes, wireway, harnessing, and lubricants. For escalators and moving walks we offer essential handrail solutions, field splicing services, skirt brushes, rollers, replacement parts and more. Elevator & Escalator Solutions Catalog | www.DrakaEHC.com Advertisement

IN MEMORIAM: JAMES F. "JIM" DRISCOLL
James F. "Jim" Driscoll, founder, owner and past-president of Atlantic Elevator Service, based in Avon, Massachusetts, passed away surrounded by his family on January 24 at the age of 80 at his home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A native of Dorchester, Boston, Driscoll led a life centered around his family. Driscoll began his career as a Boston taxi driver, later joining the elevator industry and working as a union mechanic before launching Atlantic Elevator with his late wife, Doris, to whom he was married for 52 years. The company was an enormous source of pride for the Driscolls, "who sacrificed many years for the business to succeed." Driscoll is remembered for being extremely generous and having a sincere appreciation for the people he employed. The Massachusetts Elevator Safety Association, which the Driscoll family steadfastly supported, invites others to follow their lead in donating to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or greenwaveboosters.org in Driscoll's memory.

OTIS NAMED A WORLD'S MOST ADMIRED COMPANY BY FORTUNE
Otis has been recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies for 2024 by Fortune magazine, based on survey responses from more than 3,700 business leaders and industry analysts. This is the third year Otis has appeared on the Most Admired list, and the company retained its position on the overall list at number 226 this year. Otis is among 317 companies to earn the honor this year. Only the highest-ranked companies make the final list from a starting group of more than 650 businesses across 52 industries. The "World's Most Admired Companies" list ranks companies within their respective industries using nine key attributes. The company's highest ratings in the industrial machinery category were in global competitiveness, quality of products and services and financial soundness.

Maven Group, LLC is the premier choice for owners of independent elevator companies who consider selling their business. We understand the daily challenges of independent companies and we know what buyers are looking for. To maximize your return, we provide hands-on help when you prepare for the complex mergers & acquisitions process. For confidential advice, please contact Dominik Sachsenheimer at dominik@mavenelevator.com / 561-225-3320 or Bill Beaury at bill@mavenelevator.com / 239-253-4500; www.mavenelevator.com Advertisement

KONE PARTICIPATES IN "DECARBONIZATION CATALYST" WORKSHOPS
Finnish OEM KONE recently participated in a series of workshops that brought together members of the Nordic Superblocks as Decarbonization Catalysts consortium (NSDC) to brainstorm innovation opportunities and consolidate more than 200 ideas into a few specific areas, align on shared goals and identify key success factors and roadblocks, the World Alliance for Low Carbon Cities reported on January 19. Sponsored by Business Finland, NSDC consists of KONE, Skanska, Tietoevry, Granlund, Integrio, Synocus and Tampere University. Read more here

OTIS INDIA PRESIDENT APPLAUDS INDIAN FINANCE MINISTER FOR "TRANSFORMATIVE BUDGET"
Otis India President Sebi Joseph released a statement applauding Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a "progressive budget accelerating the momentum in the infrastructure sector and for the contribution of affordable housing." On February 1, Sitharaman said the country's fiscal deficit for the 2025 financial year will narrow to 5.1% from 5.8% for 2024, while capital expenditures will rise by 11.1% to INR11.11 trillion (US$133.9 billion) in fiscal year 2025. Read more here

Mongrain Vertical Transport current products include the complete range of hydraulic elevators as well as the Emarelle hydraulic machine-room-less elevator system. Each is custom tailored to meet demanding design and performance standards as specified by building owners, architects, and installers. For more information, please email us at info@mvtinc.com or visit us online at www.mvtinc.com. Advertisement

JAPAN ELEVATOR SERVICE ANNOUNCES ABSORPTION-TYPE MERGER, BRANCH RESTRUCTURING
Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co., Ltd. (JES), a Tokyo-headquartered provider of maintenance and repair for elevators and escalators, announced an absorption-type merger between two of its subsidiaries and a restructuring of branches on January 18 and February 1, respectively. The merger is between wholly owned subsidiaries Japan Elevator Service Hokkaido Co., Ltd. (JES Hokkaido) and Emic Co., with JES Hokkaido the surviving company. Read more here

ELEVATOR SECURITY CAMERAS AT HOBOKEN UNIVERSITY PROMPT DEBATE
Security cameras — including in dormitory elevators — throughout the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, are prompting debate with some students expressing privacy concerns, student newspaper The Stute reports. The university's Office of Residential and Dining Services said the reason for installing the cameras in dormitory elevators is to deter vandalism or other criminal activities. Read more here

Hilliard offers its customers two styles of spring applied electric released brakes that can be easily fitted to "A" frame elevator drives. These brakes are designed to apply when unintended travel of the car occurs. Hilliard offers a friction disc plate-style brake that attaches to the drive shaft of the pulley and a caliper-style that acts on a ring attached to the pulley. These brakes are an alternative to a rope gripper when performing a modernization job which requires lifting or moving a drive or extra construction to the elevator. Hilliard offers certain models of these two styles of brakes that meet CSA approval. For more information, visit www.hilliardcorp.com Advertisement

OTIS VT MODERNIZATIONS AT EMEA ICONS BURJ KHALIFA AND EIFFEL TOWER
Otis is in various stages of modernizing vertical-transportation (VT) equipment at two iconic structures in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region: the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Otis President, Chair and CEO Judy Marks said in a January earnings call. At the Burj Khalifa, the OEM is in the final stages of modernizing 42 elevators and eight escalators, upgrading controllers and drives and incorporating the latest technology into the VT system for client Emaar Properties. Read more here

ASSA ABLOY SELLS FRENCH ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE BUSINESS TO KONE
Assa Abloy has sold its PACA Ascenseurs elevator maintenance division in France to KONE, Assa Abloy announced on February 2. The Swedish door and lock company that provides automated entrance and security solutions said PACA was part of its acquisition of Agta Record in 2020 and had sales of approximately EUR30 million (US$32.6 million). Financial terms of the deal with KONE were not disclosed, but Assa Abloy said the transaction will have a positive influence on its operating margin. Read more here

Gain a little more Freedom with Canton Elevator's full package Traction line. Canton's offerings are based on a wide range of capacities, platform designs, travel, and speed with both geared and gearless machines. The Freedom series allows elevator contractors and their customers to work through standard and custom applications. For more information visit www.cantonelevator.com or feel free to reach out and talk to Cindy Samek 864-328-9278. If you would like to request a quote for an upcoming project, please send in all information to info@nidec-canton.com. Advertisement

ELEVEN ADDITIONAL SKYWALKS PROPOSED IN BENGALURU, INDIA
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the administrative body responsible for civic amenities and some infrastructural assets of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area of India, has proposed 11 additional skywalks in Bengaluru to enhance safety for pedestrians crossing busy thoroughfares, The Times of India reported in January. Read more here

MAJOR OTIS CONTRACTS IN CHINA AND HONG KONG SAR
Otis President, CEO and Chair Judy Marks announced during a January 31 earnings call that the company is handling a new-equipment contract in Chongqing, China, and a modernization contract in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). In Chongqing, Otis is "building on decades of close cooperation with the nation's metro providers to help expand urban transport and city development." Read more here

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ELEVATOR FOR REVELSTOKE, CANADA, MUSEUM HAS STRONG SUPPORT
An elevator to provide accessibility at the two-story Revelstoke Museum & Archives building in Revelstoke, a small town in interior British Columbia, Canada, known for its small-town charm and skiing, has strong support from the local and national community, with CAD661,738 (US$491,804) raised so far, the Revelstoke Review reports. Read more here

SOVIET-ERA ELEVATORS POSE DILEMMA IN LATVIA
Many of the approximately 7,000 elevators in Latvia, including around 5,000 in the capital, Rīga, are from the Soviet era and likely roughly 50 years old, prompting authorities to search for solutions to the aging-elevator problem, Latvian Radio reports. According to Rīgas Namu Parvaldnieks (RNP), a company consisting of 15 municipal building administrations to help ensure proper upkeep of apartment buildings, only 4% of the 1,200 elevators in RNP-managed buildings are under 35 years old. Read more here

New York Build is the leading construction and design show, returning to the Javits Center on February 13-14. The award winning show features 35,000+ AEC and real estate professionals, 500+ high-profile speakers across 8 stages, 15 conference tracks and AIA CES approved workshops, 400+ exhibitors, Architects Hub, Government Hub, multiple business networking opportunities and New York's biggest Festival of Construction with entertainment and live music. www.newyorkbuildexpo.com/elevatorworld-24 Advertisement

NYC MAYOR'S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS BULLISH ON CONSTRUCTION
NYC Mayor Eric Adams' third State of the City address on January 24 laid out a vision focused on safety, education, jobs, sustainability and more, and the creation of new housing was a prevalent theme, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection reported. Under the leadership of Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. and the Housing Development Corp., city agencies financed more than 27,000 affordable homes in 2023. Read more here

CTBUH RELEASES 2023 REPORT ON TALL TRENDS
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has released "Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2023," the latest in its series of annual evaluations of the state of tall building construction across the globe. Eagerly anticipated by architects, engineers, real estate developers and professionals in a wide range of industries related to tall-building construction, the online report revealed higher-than-anticipated growth in the sector: a record-setting 175 buildings 200 m and higher were completed in 2023 — a 7.4% increase over 2018. The report also highlighted some new milestones in tall-building construction: the world has a new second-tallest building: Merdeka 118, in Kuala Lumpur; and 18 cities around the world recorded a new tallest building. Some report findings run counter to popular perceptions: 94 buildings 200 m and higher were completed in China last year; that's more than eight times as many as in the U.A.E., where there were 11 buildings 200 m and higher completed in 2023, ranking it second in that category. China's growth was led by 27 200-m-plus completions in Shenzhen, which now hosts one out of every 14 of the world's buildings over 200 m. The CTBUH Year in Review report derives from an annual audit of buildings in advanced stages of construction that are tracked in the organization's extensive database of more than 40,000 tall buildings throughout the world, as well as projects submitted to its yearly awards program by CTBUH members and the general public.

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