| ELEVATOR WORLD's December Issue
 On the Cover: Enhancing the Sydney Metro City Line: 190 new TKE units key part of "transformative" Australia project.
Features: Like a Tiger; The 2024 Ellies Award Winners...
Focus on Escalators and Moving Walks: Escalator Brake Failure Investigation; Fujitec Modernizes Its Longest Escalator in Japan... Columns: Focused on Success; Stronger Together... Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW MARCH TO FOCUS ON SUSPENSION MEANS AND MATERIALS, NEW YORK
ELEVATOR WORLD's March 2025 issue will focus on Suspension Means and Materials (ropes, belts, clamps, sheaves, plastic gears, rack and pinions systems and more) with a Special Regional Section on New York and bonus distribution at the NAEC Spring Conference. The article submission deadline is January 15, and the advertising deadline is February 3. 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.
CLOSINGS FOR CHRISTMAS
The U.S. offices of Elevator World, Inc. will be closed on December 24 and 25 for the Christmas Holiday. They will open for regular business hours on December 26. | | 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 | | | | SCHINDLER CEO ROLE TO TRANSITION FROM NAPOLI TO COMPAGNA
The Board of Directors (BoD) of Schindler Holding Co. announced on December 12 it has appointed current Chief Operating Officer (COO) Paolo Compagna as CEO, effective April 1, 2025. He will fill the role most recently held by Silvio Napoli, who will work with Compagna on the transition until the shareholders meeting on March 25, 2025. After more than 30 years with the company, Napoli has decided to not stand for reelection to the BoD to pursue new career challenges. Read more here
KONE WINS ORDER FOR NEW WORLD'S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
KONE Corp. has won an order to provide a suite of People Flow® solutions for the world's tallest residential structure, called Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences. KONE's order comprises next-generation high-rise technology, including 16 KONE Minispace DX elevators with a top speed of 10 m/s, as well as KONE UltraRope® super-light hoisting technology for lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions. Read more here | | | TKE REPORTS RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS WITH SALES GAINS DRIVEN BY EOX
TK Elevator (TKE) reported record financial results for fiscal year (FY) 2023/24 with EUR9.3 billion (US$9.6 billion) in sales and EUR1.5 billion (US$1.55 billion) adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). Announced on December 23, results showed organic sales were up 7% across all business lines and units globally, driven by strong service growth and double-digit growth in the Modernization and Americas business segments. Service and modernization now account for approximately 62% of company revenue. Share gains in the challenging new installation market were driven by TKE's eco-efficient and digitally native EOX elevator targeting the high-volume low- and mid-rise residential market. Sales of EOX, launched by TKE in October 2024, represented approximately 75% of total elevator units ordered in Europe and 40% in the Americas. TKE's emphasis on the service and modernization markets continues, with the growing, aging installed base driving demand globally.
SECOND ISEE SEES SUCCESS, UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL EVENTS ANNOUNCED
The International Sourcing Exposition for Elevators and Escalators (ISEE) 2024, concluded on December 7 on a high note at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India, the Press Trust of India reports. Over three dynamic days, the second edition of the expo showcased cutting-edge advancements in the elevator and escalator industry, reinforcing India's position as a global hub for innovation and sourcing in this sector. Inaugurated by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, an iconic real estate tycoon and industrialist, the event celebrated India's burgeoning infrastructure potential. 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 | | | | 65 OTIS ELEVATORS FOR LUXURY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN GURUGRAM, INDIA
Otis India announced on December 18 it has been selected by DLF to provide a comprehensive vertical-transportation (VT) package for DLF The Arbour, a luxury residential development that includes five 39-story towers spread over 28 acres in Gurugram, India. Otis will provide 65 high-speed SkyRise®, AriseTM and eco-friendly Gen2® elevators for the project. Read more here
IN MEMORIAM: WILLIAM "BILL" O'CONNOR
William "Bill" O'Connor, founder of New Smyrna Beach, Florida-headquartered Daytona Elevator, passed away on December 9, just weeks shy of his 86th birthday after battling dementia. Also known as "Elevator Bill," O'Connor is remembered for his sense of humor, integrity, ingenuity and enviable work ethic. "He missed many funerals and prime rib dinners to keep elevators running," his family said. "He spent nine-tenths of his life 'on call.'" O'Connor joined the elevator industry at age 17 after going to trade school, going on to own companies in Montreal and the Daytona, Florida, area, where he finally retired. He loved his dogs, landscaping, inventing, laughing and visiting with old friends. "Old clients still call the elevator company remembering and admiring not only his work ethic, but his technical savvy, morals and generous character," his family said. Survivors include his wife, Nicole "Nicky,"; daughter and Daytona Elevator owner Dawn; son, Jeff; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a long time and let them know you care. | | Draka EHC, a brand of Prysmian, 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. DrakaEHC.com Advertisement | | | | KONE LAUNCHES HIGH-RISE MINISPACE DX ELEVATOR IN INDIA
Days after launching it in Southeast Asia, KONE launched its High-Rise MiniSpaceTM DX elevator in India on December 13. The elevator caters to the trends of building taller and modernizing existing infrastructure. Powered by KONE UltraRope® hoisting technology, the elevator is 80 times lighter than those with traditional steel ropes, three times more durable and capable of reducing energy consumption for a 500-m journey by up to 15%. Read more here
ROYAL PALACE OF NAPLES INTRODUCES INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL ELEVATOR EXHIBIT
Starting December 19, the Royal Palace of Naples in Italy is offering visitors The King's Elevator, an interactive video installation that takes visitors through four centuries of the history of the palace and life at court, Finestre sull'Arte reports. The installation allows visitors to select through an interactive virtual elevator a floor for each century, from the 17th century to the present day, accompanying viewers in a visual narrative. 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 | | | | YEAR-LONG CONSTRUCTION CLOSES TWO PRAGUE METRO STATIONS
Prague Transport Company (DPP) announced that the Českomoravská and Pankrác metro stations in Prague will close on January 6 for approximately a year for construction of extensive upgrades, reports Radio Prague International. Passengers can use Vysočanská instead of Českomoravská and Pražského povstání instead of Pankrác, with connections provided by train line 19. Both of the closing stations are set to reopen by late 2025. Read more here
BART'S TOP 24 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2024 INCLUDE ESCALATOR UPDATES
In a recent press release, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) shared its top accomplishments from this year in enhancing customer experience, improving safety and cleanliness, and investing in the future, reports Contra Costa News. BART detailed the steps it took in regards to escalator safety precautions, which include bikes now being allowed on nearly all of the escalators in the BART system. 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 | | | | NEW ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS AT SOUTHERN INDIA RAILWAY STATION
The redevelopment of Begumpet Railway Station in Telangana, in southern India, adds new and updated elevators and escalators, the Financial Express reports. The new additions make the station more accessible to passengers of all age groups and physical abilities, as well as significantly enhance the commuter experience, especially during peak hours. The redevelopment of Begumpet Railway Station is part of a bigger development initiative to modernize railway stations across India. The upgrades aim to make the station safer, more accessible and visually appealing while focusing on both functionality and aesthetics.
NYC LIRR STATION AMONG "MOST BEAUTIFUL FOR INTERIOR DESIGN"
Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station on Manhattan, NY's East Side, was awarded UNESCO's 2024 Prix Versailles Interior Award in the World's Most Beautiful Passenger Station category in December 2024, MSN was among outlets to report. Opening in January 2023 and featuring multiple commissioned works of art, the 7,000-ft2 terminal is served by Schindler escalators. Read more here | | THREE STUCK IN ELEVATOR SHAFT IN SEATTLE RESCUED
Three people were stuck in an elevator hundreds of feet from an access point in a high-rise apartment building in Seattle, Washington, on December 12, MSN reports. The occupants were stuck near the sixth floor in a "blind shaft" that didn't have a door for them to get out, according to officials. Read more here
RECORD SALE MARKS TURNAROUND FOR STRIKING MANHATTAN TOWERS
The sale of Penthouse 36 at One High Line, the pair of 402- and 302-ft-tall twisting towers designed by Bjark Ingels Group (BIG) at 500 West 18th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan, NY, near the High Line, for a record-breaking US$47 million signals a turnaround for a property once viewed as symbol of overzealous development, The Real Deal recently reported. Read more here | | Ensure safety and efficiency with Schmersal's premium elevator components. From safety switches to control systems, we provide innovative solutions tailored to your needs. Trusted world-wide by industry professionals for quality and reliability. Visit schmersalusa.com to elevate your projects with systems and solutions for every elevator, everywhere. Advertisement | | | ALIMAK INVESTS IN ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Alimak Group and Skyline Robotics announced a five-year exclusive agreement on December 19 to develop automated Building Maintenance Units, or BMUs, for permanent façade access. Sweden-headquartered Alimak, which also designs and manufactures rack-and-pinion elevators, is investing a minor, undisclosed amount in Skyline Robotics, based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Read more here | | THE 2025 EW MEDIA KIT IS HERE! Download the ELEVATOR WORLD Media Kit to see EW's upcoming feature stories, focus topics, special sections and editorial and advertising submission deadlines here. Join us as we continue to celebrate and support the industry in 2025! Advertisement | | | EDITORIAL AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: Editorial submissions, reprint permission requests and subscription/removal requests should be sent to editorial@elevatorworld.com. ELENET Editorial staff: Angela C. Baldwin, Kaija Wilkinson, Lindsay Fletcher and Sophie Goodwin. ADVERTISEMENTS: To advertise and reach ELENET's readership of 41,000+, contact the Advertising staff at phone: 251-479-4514 or e-mail: advertising@elevatorworld.com. Download the ELEVATOR WORLD magazine Editorial Calendar to see EW's upcoming feature stories, focus topics, special topics, special sections and Editorial/Advertising submission deadlines here. ELENET is a registered trademark, and all rights are reserved. Copyright 2024 © Elevator World, Inc., 354 Morgan Avenue, Mobile, AL 36606, phone: 251-479-4514, www.elevatorworld.com. | | | | |
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