Issue 1064 | 9/11/2024 | Currently reaching 41K global contacts

ELEVATOR WORLD's September Issue

On the Cover: Past, Present and Future: A look at 150 years of Schindler's history and what comes next

Features: Atlantic City: It's a Great Day Here; Into the Depths — Carefully...

Focus on Hoistway Tools, Components and Products: Code-Compliant Pit Ladders; The Way to Better Hoistway Safety...

Columns: Women in Motion; Hytec Expands To Meet a Need...

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EW NOVEMBER TO FOCUS ON REMOTE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE
ELEVATOR WORLD's November 2024 issue will focus on Remote Monitoring and Maintenance. The article submission deadline is September 16, and the advertising deadline is October 1. To participate or for more information, contact the EW Editorial Department at phone: 251-479-4514, ext. 130 or editorial@elevatorworld.com. To advertise, contact ext. 131 or advertising@elevatorworld.com.

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ATTA ELEVATORS OPENS FIRST U.S. LOCATION
ATTA Elevators, the largest independent elevator company in Canada, has announced its expansion into the U.S. with the opening of its first U.S. location in St. Louis, Missouri. ATTA Elevators has experienced rapid growth in Canada over the past three years through strategic acquisitions and the establishment of greenfield office locations. Read more here

OTIS ELEVATOR ACQUIRES JARDINE SCHINDLER LIFTS LTD.
Otis Elevator Co. (Taiwan) Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Jardine Schindler Lifts Ltd. in Taiwan from the Jardine Schindler Group. Otis Taiwan is a subsidiary of Otis Worldwide Corp. Jardine Schindler's elevator and escalator business in Taiwan, with approximately 200 employees, serves customers through its four branches. "Otis has been present in Taiwan since 1963 and has a long history of serving customers here," said Michael Lee, vice president and managing director, Otis Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. "Through this acquisition, we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues from Jardine Schindler Lifts Ltd. in Taiwan. At the same time, we are eager to introduce our highly regarded products and service offerings, including the recently launched Otis ONE™ platform and our connected Gen3™ elevators to our customers."

ELEVATOR CONFERENCE OF NEW YORK ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EVENTS
The Board of Directors of the Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) has announced upcoming events. They include, on September 18, New York State (NYS) mechanic license course and QEI maintenance certification; on October 17, safety seminar (topic to be decided); on November 7, NYS mechanic course and QEI maintenance certification (second offering); and on December 5, the annual holiday party. Read more here

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BRONX-BASED START ELEVATOR ANNOUNCES MAJOR CONTRACTS
Bronx, NY-based Start Elevator, a leading provider of elevator maintenance and modernization services, on September 4 announced several significant contracts, helping solidify its position as a trusted elevator partner in NYC and beyond. The contracts build upon Start Elevator's recent combining of resources with G-Tech Elevator Associates, expanding their ability to serve clients throughout New York and New Jersey. Read more here

TKE SIGNS MULTI-YEAR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH DUBAI AIRPORTS
TK Elevator (TKE) has signed a multi-year agreement covering maintenance of close to 5,000 elevators, escalators and other equipment with Dubai Airports, Aviation Pros reports. Under the renewed contract, more than 100 TKE specialized professionals will service units throughout the airport's passenger and cargo operations. TKE's relationship with Dubai Airports began in 2004 with the installation of more than 700 elevators and escalators. In 2015, the company's customer-centric approach earned a major service contract, one of its largest globally at the time. Today, TKE's Universal Service platform is the cornerstone of the extended collaboration. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest international airport, having served 87 million passengers in 2023. TKE's novel Universal Service platform supports comfortable and reliable transport for passengers and employees through streamlined service and maintenance of mobility assets across all major brands.

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

KONE TO INITIATE REVIEW OF ITS DOOR BUSINESS
Finnish OEM KONE announced on September 10 it will initiate a review of its door business, including a potential sale. Aimed at achieving the best business environment for growing the door business to benefit customers, employees and other stakeholders, the review will assess "optimal structure and synergies." KONE's door business, which provides maintenance, repair, modernization and new equipment solutions for passenger and industrial doors, could be incorporated under its own legal structure. In 2023, KONE's door business accounted for approximately 2% of group revenue.

CHICAGOLAND'S EIS BECOMES PART OF VDA GROUP
VDA Group announced on September 6 that Chicagoland-based Elevator Inspection Service Inc. (EIS) has joined the VDA family of companies. Led by President Frank Cervone and Principal Anthony J. DiBiase, EIS "is well known for having the most qualified inspectors in the Chicago metropolitan area," VDA stated. Read more here

APEX LIFTS AWARDED RoSPA ORDER OF DISTINCTION
U.K.-based Apex Lifts announced earlier this summer that the company has won another prestigious award for its health and safety performance. The company was awarded the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Order of Distinction, which is presented to organizations that have achieved a minimum of 15 consecutive Gold Awards. Read more here

SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR THE EW PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Submissions are now being accepted for the ELEVATOR WORLD 27th Annual Project of the Year Awards. We are seeking submissions of projects featuring vertical, horizontal or inclined transportation systems with an innovative design, special application or approach that solved a major problem or overcame a unique challenge. Projects will be judged on innovation, originality and creativity, challenges overcome, installation methods and techniques and use of advanced technology and overall quality of presentation. This year's categories are Elevators, New Construction; Elevators, Modernization; Escalators, New Construction; Escalators, Modernization; Moving Walks; Inclined Elevators; Platform Lifts & Stairway Chairlifts; Private-Residence Elevators; and Special-Purpose Lifts. All entries will be judged and categorized as received by an impartial panel of experienced industry experts and professionals. Winning entries will be published in the January 2025 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD. Winners in each category will be acknowledged with an award of recognition. The submission deadline is September 30.

CECA WARNS MEMBERS OF POTENTIAL AIR CANADA PILOT STRIKE LEADING UP TO UNITED CONVENTION
The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) has alerted its members who plan to attend the upcoming United Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to a potential upcoming strike by Air Canada pilots as early as September 18. CECA recommends keeping a close eye on any developments for those with flights booked with Air Canada and to consider alternative arrangements if necessary. Read more here

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CTBUH PRESIDENT ANTONY WOOD TO STEP DOWN
After nearly 20 years at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Dr. Antony Wood has made the decision to step down as president at the end of this year. Wood joined CTBUH in a voluntary role in 2004 as vice president for Europe and Research before being invited to Chicago to take up the executive directorship (later, CEO) in 2006. During his tenure, CTBUH has grown from one staff member in 2006 to a global entity. Notable achievements during that time include a 10-fold increase in membership; establishment of the CTBUH research division and regional offices in Asia and Europe; formation of myriad chapters and committees around the world; growth of the annual conference and awards program into world-class events; expansion of the content-creation and publishing divisions; and the establishment of the world's first master's degree focused on the genre — the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) — a joint program between CTBUH and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Wood will continue with CTBUH until the end of this year, and the organization will be recognizing his contributions during the upcoming CTBUH 2024 International Conference, September 23–27, in London and Paris.

LECS UK APPOINTS FORD AS DIRECTOR
Vertical-transportation (VT) consultancy LECS UK has appointed Michael Ford as director. Ford will work closely with fellow Director Lee Dean and CEO Dave Cooper to guide the company's ambitious growth strategy. LECS UK consults across all forms of VT, including lifts, escalators, cable cars and funiculars, "offering endless opportunities to work on iconic engineering projects." Read more here

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H.I.G. CAPITAL COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ACTION ELEVATOR
H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm, announces that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of Action Elevator, a leading independent provider of elevator services. As part of the transaction, Action's leadership team will remain in place and have a significant ownership stake in the recapitalized business. Read more here

MACARTHUR JOINS TSSA AS ELEVATING DEVICES INSPECTOR
Eric MacArthur announced he has started a new position as an elevating devices inspector for greater Ottawa, Ontario, with the province's Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). MacArthur studied to become an elevating devices mechanic at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Read more here

Join us at the 2024 United Convention and Expo in Atlantic City, NJ, from September 23-26! Contractors and mechanics can enjoy a complimentary "Exhibit Only" pass using the code UNITED2024. Network, explore innovations, and connect with industry leaders. Register by September 20th at naecconvention.com. For more info, email us at development@naec.org. Don't miss out—we hope to see you there! Advertisement

HEIGHT OF DUBAI'S BURJ AZIZI, PLANNED WORLD'S SECOND TALLEST, CONFIRMED
Azizi Developments confirmed a 725-m height for the 131-story Burj Azizi, its planned tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai that aims to be the world's second tallest after the 828-m-tall Burj Khalifa, outlets including Gulf News report. Burj Azizi will house an unspecified number of residences, with sales to launch in February 2025. Completion is anticipated in 2028. Located next to the World Trade Centre metro station, the more than AED6 billion (US$1.6 billion) development is also set to include a hotel. Read more here

TKE ELEVATOR FOR NEW MANHATTAN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
TK Elevator (TKE) tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided an Evolution 100 elevator for 140 Hillside Avenue, a seven-story residential building heading toward completion by the end of 2024 in Fort George, Inwood, Manhattan. A machine-room-less system with a belted design, Evolution 100 boasts efficiency and reliability, TKE observes. It features a TAC32T slim controller. Read more here

TSSA IMPLEMENTS LATE FEE AND CANCELLATION FEE
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) of Ontario, Canada, announced that, effective November 4, it will be introducing two new fees: a Late Payment Fee for licenses and other authorizations and an Inspection Appointment Cancellation Fee. These fees are aimed at encouraging timely compliance, reducing regulatory costs and optimizing resource deployment for inspections. Read more here

ALASKA HIGH SCHOOL TO RECEIVE NEW ELEVATOR
A new elevator will be installed at Wrangell High School in Wrangell, Alaska, next summer, the Wrangell Sentinel reports. Demolition will begin toward the end of the current school year, and construction is expected to be complete for the first day of school in August 2025. Read more here

TWO DEAD IN INDIA ELEVATOR INCIDENT
Two laborers died after falling in an elevator duct from the fourth floor of an under-construction building in Vikhroli East, Mumbai, India, on September 3, the Hindustan Times reports. The victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment and succumbed to their injuries. The police registered an FIR (first information report) against the contractor for causing death by negligence under section 106 (1) of the BNS, India's new criminal code, for not taking proper safety precautions and for having kept the lift duct open, said the police officer.

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MANHATTAN BUILDING WITH A HISTORY BEING CONVERTED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A nine-story Art Deco building in Manhattan, NY, designed by the same firm behind the Empire State Building, is getting new life as housing after originally serving as a YMCA and, later, a women's prison, The Architect's Newspaper was among outlets to report in July. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon designed 550 West 20th Street in 1931 to house a YMCA. The State of New York bought the structure in the 1970s and converted it into the Bayview Correctional Facility. Read more here

PLAN TO EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY SEOUL BANK PART OF LARGER TREND
Woori Bank's plan to transform its circa 1950 Euljiro branch in Seoul, South Korea, which closed in July, from a five-story mid-rise into a 19-story high-rise with seven underground levels points to a larger trend of banks diversifying their real estate as banking shifts to digital, MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER was among outlets to report in July. Read more here

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