| ELEVATOR WORLD's June 2025 Issue
 On the Cover: The People Issue 2025
Feature: Three DeColas
Focus on Environmental Issues: Yeomanry Close; Pit Flood Protection System... Columns: Full of Energy; 42nd Heilbronn Elevator Days; Elevator Interiors; Temperature Phase Plan Man and Poincare Section for Escalators... Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW AUGUST TO FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE, THE NORTHWEST, PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
ELEVATOR WORLD's August 2025 issue will focus on Maintenance with a Special Regional Section on the Northwest. The issue will feature the 13th annual Photo Contest Winners and Continuing Education with special distribution at NAEC. The article submission deadline is June 17, and the advertising deadline is July 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.
CIBES LIFT GROUP ACQUIRES MISSOURI-BASED COUNTRY HOME ELEVATOR
Cibes Lift Group, headquartered in Gavle, Sweden, announced in May the acquisition of Country Home Elevator & Stairlift LLC, a Brighton, Missouri-based company specializing in vertical platform lifts, elevators and stairlifts for residential and commercial clients. Representing Cibes' eighth U.S. acquisition, Country Home was founded in 2001 by Craig Jones, current owner and managing director (MD). Read more here. | | 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 | | | ESI ACQUIRES OKLAHOMA-BASED AMERICAN ELEVATOR
Elevator Service Inc. (ESI), a leading provider of elevator maintenance, modernization and repair throughout the U.S., on June 2 announced the acquisition of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based American Elevator. With established operations in Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and west Texas, American Elevator brings strong regional coverage and deep customer experience to the ESI portfolio, ESI observed. Founded in 1975, American Elevator has provided maintenance, repair and modernization services to a wide range of clients. American Elevator President Steve Schmidt said he is "thrilled to join forces with ESI, (as) our shared values, commitment to safety and passion for customer satisfaction make this a natural fit." American Elevator will continue to operate under its existing name as it integrates ESI's advanced systems, training programs and operational support.
WITTUR APPOINTS WANG AS CHINA MD
Wittur has announced Jeff Wang as managing director (MD), marking "an exciting chapter for Wittur's presence in one of its most important markets." Wang has more than 20 years' experience in senior financial and operational roles within leading multinational companies. Since joining Wittur in 2014, he has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, business insight and a deep understanding of Wittur's organization and the industry. Read more here. | | CONNECTICUT PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS OTIS MODERNIZATION BUSINESS
The Hartford Business Journal (HBJ) in Connecticut, where global vertical-transportation (VT) OEM Otis has its headquarters, on June 2 spotlighted its "important and growing" modernization business. HBJ visited Otis Worldwide's Bristol test tower, where a vintage elevator machine installed by Otis in 1931 for NYC's Empire State Building, is on display. The machine, which was replaced by a new one as part of a 2021 modernization project, symbolizes the rich promise held by modernization. Read more here.
NYC DOB TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY INSPECTION THROUGH END OF YEAR
Under a pilot program, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) approved third-party elevator agencies to perform acceptance tests for new elevator installations, alterations and modernization work through December 31. Acceptance tests must be performed in the presence of a witnessing elevator agency, which cannot be affiliated with the elevator work or the approved elevator agency that performed the work. 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 | | | ASCENT ELEVATORS ACQUIRES SELECT CENTURY ELEVATOR ASSETS
St. Louis, Missouri-headquartered Ascent Elevators announced on May 29 it has acquired select assets of Century Elevator Services, a full-service elevator maintenance, repair, modernization and testing company serving Missouri and Illinois. Ascent said it is also welcoming Century Elevator President Kirk Pohl to the team to play a key role in guiding Ascent's Midwest division. Read more here.
KONE ELEVATOR INDIA INAUGURATES MOHALI OFFICE
KONE Elevator India has expanded its footprint in North India with the inauguration of a new office in Mohali, Punjab, India, babushahi.com is among outlets to report. The new office, strategically located at Mohali Phase-11, SAS Nagar, will cater to the increasing demand for elevator and escalator solutions across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Haryana. Read more here. | | 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 | | | SOUTH LONDON STUDENTS AWARDED STEM GRANT IN OTIS PROGRAM
Otis judges recognized a team of nine students from the Linden Lodge School in Wimbledon, South London, with a second-place award in the Otis Made to Move CommunitiesTM challenge for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Alongside Otis mentors, the students designed an AI-powered app called Walkway that supports visually impaired individuals and promotes inclusive mobility — the theme of this year's challenge. Read more here.
STANNAH TO MANAGE RAILWAY STATION ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE
Stannah is managing a major accessibility upgrade at several South Western Railway (SWR) stations along the Wessex route in the U.K., installing a total of 13 passenger lifts to date. These upgrades are part of a broader initiative across Network Rail's Southern region, aimed at making stations accessible for all. Funded by the Department for Transport's "Access for All" scheme, Network Rail is working in partnership with SWR and the London Borough of Merton Council to deliver accessibility upgrades along the Wessex route. Read more here. | | FUJITEC INDIA AWARDED CMRL ESCALATOR CONTRACT
Fujitec India Pvt. Ltd. has been awarded a contract to provide an unspecified number of escalators for the upcoming Chennai Metro Rail Corp.'s (CMRL) Phase 2 Corridor 5 in India, outlets including Urban Acres report. The winning 289-crore (US$33.8-million) bid will encompass design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of heavy-duty escalators serving the 44.6-m corridor. The escalators will feature advanced technology aimed at enhancing passenger experience and optimizing efficiency. Read more here.
GEORGIA TO HIRE SIX NEW ELEVATOR INSPECTORS TO MANAGE ATLANTA ELEVATORS
The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, the department responsible for public safety issues such as elevator inspections, will be hiring six new inspectors in July, WSB-TV reports. According to a spokesman, the new hires are possible due to the department moving US$4 million "from one line item to their staffing." In 2024, the office said there were approximately 32,000 elevators in Georgia, 11,520 of which were out of date on their inspections. 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. | | | FERMATOR CONCLUDES SECOND MODERNIZATION ROADSHOW IN SPAIN
Fermator recently announced successful completion of the second Femator Roadshow, an initiative that took the team across eight cities in Spain over six months. The aim was to get closer to clients, better understand their needs and share the latest lift modernization solutions. Fermator representatives met with lift sector professionals in Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, Málaga, Sevilla, Gijón and Valladolid, showcasing its range of modernization solutions in each city. Read more here.
ATLAS ELEVATORS ACQUIRES 11,250 M2 IN RIYADH FOR EXPANSION
Atlas National Elevators Factory Co., a 99%-owned subsidiary of Atlas Elevators General Trading and Contracting Co., acquired usufruct rights — allowing it to use and benefit from property while ownership belongs to another — for a 11,250-m2 plot in Riyadh's Second Industry City from Saudi Kuwaiti Furniture Manufacturing Co., argaam reports. Read more here. | | STATION IN SOUTH INDIA WITH VT INAUGURATED
South Western Railway's (SWR) Gadag Railway Station in Hubballi in the south Indian state of Karnataka, served by four pieces of vertical-transportation (VT) equipment — two elevators and two escalators — was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on May 22, SWR spokesman Manujath Kanamadi told the Times of India. Read more here.
ENGINEERINGUK RELEASES UPDATED WORKFORCE DATA
New workforce data released by EngineeringUK reveals there are 6.4 million people — around a fifth of the workforce — employed in engineering and technology roles in the U.K. In addition, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering and technology at only 16.9% of the workforce, compared to 56% of other occupations. U.K. minority ethnic individuals make up 14% of the workforce, compared to 18% of other occupations, and disabled people make up 14% of the engineering and technology workforce, lower than the 19% across all other occupations. Read more here. | | | Enhance your elevator interiors with Inpro's fully wrapped cab panels. We believe durability shouldn't compromise design. Made with Palladium® Rigid Vinyl Sheet, our panels resist damage, endure daily wear, and maintain a high-end finish. Trust Inpro for durable, design-forward solutions that last. | | | VANCOUVER DEVELOPER UNVEILS SUPERTALL PROPOSAL
Vancouver developer Joo Kim Tiah of Holborn Group has unveiled a proposal for a new 1,033-ft supertall skyscraper in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reports. The proposal follows two key changes in Vancouver, including the city-ordered demolition of the derelict heritage Dunsmuir House. Read more here. | | | Global Elevator Exhibition (GEE) is the event dedicated to the latest innovations in elevators, escalators, moving walkways and components sector, that will be held in Rho fiera milano (Italy, Milan) from November 19-21, 2025. As part of the Milan International Building Alliance (MIBA), it contributes to foster sustainability and smart solutions in the building sector. Discover more about the exhibition! | | | TÜRKIYE'S AYSAD HOLDS 54TH ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Elevator and Escalator Industrialists' Association (AYSAD) of Türkiye convened its 54th Ordinary General Assembly on May 29 at the Machine Hangar Engineering and Technology Center Conference Hall in Kartal, Türkiye. The meeting began with an opening speech by AYSAD Chairman Fevzi Yıldırım. Following this, Secretary General Harun Şimşek presented a detailed overview of the association's activities carried out between June 2024 and May 2025. In a subsequent presentation, Yıldırım and AYSAD Vice Chairman — also a member of the European Lift Association (ELA) Board — Savaşal Sayın shared key figures on elevator imports and exports provided by Turkish MAİB and offered insights into the recent work of ELA, as well as sectoral developments across Europe and the world. Sayın emphasized the importance of leveraging these platforms effectively, noting that AYSAD has the opportunity to do so through its memberships in MAKFED (machinery manufacturers association) and ELA. Following the general assembly, members visited AYSAD's new office and toured the premises. | | | Rugged. Reliable. Easy to Install. Innovation offers an extensive line of surface mount hall fixtures in every shape and size you can imagine. Available in four horizontal or vertical Innovation signature design styles, our robust hall stations, position indicators, and lanterns allow you to choose the right look and function for any application. www.innovationind.com | | | BILL REQUIRING ELEVATOR REPAIRS DIES IN TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Texas Senate Bill 1802, which would have required Texas landlords to repair broken elevators "within a reasonable amount of time," failed to make it through the state legislature, outlets including KHOU report. Despite having support from lawmakers in both the Senate and House, the bill, introduced by Sen. Carol Alvarado, died on the House calendar. After the bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, as well as in a House committee, "we just ran out of time," Alvarado said, vowing to continue her fight to address broken elevators at Texas apartment buildings. Interim efforts will include working with the Texas Apartment Association "to see if they can come up with some kind of internal plan that holds their members accountable," said Alvarado, who plans to reintroduce the bill during the next legislative session.
SOBHA REALTY LAUNCHES MAJOR NEW DUBAI DEVELOPMENT
Sobha Realty has launched Sobha Central, a landmark project on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road, Gulf Business reports. The urban, mixed-use project will feature six towers, 160,000 ft2 of high-street retail, 250,000 ft2 of green parks and 175,000 ft2 of leasable office space. The first tower, The Horizon, is due for completion in December 2029 and will feature 1,225 new one- and two-bedroom residences. The plans include an elevated circulation path linking all six towers and offering direct access to a gym, theater, clubhouse, mall, restaurants, supermarkets and a Grand Hall. | | | Preparations for interlift 2025 are underway! From 14 to 17 October, the lift industry will meet for the first time at Messe Nürnberg. More exhibition space has already been booked than at the last interlift and the trade fair is on course for growth. As the new home of interlift, Nuremberg is convincing with good accessibility and a relaxed hotel situation. https://www.interlift.de/en/ | | | UPCOMING CIA WEBINARS ON FUNCTIONAL SAFETY AND CANOPEN LIFT
The nonprofit CAN in Automation (CiA) association's upcoming webinars include Functional Safety and CANopen on June 5 and CANopen Lift Status and the Future on October 1. The first 1-h webinar, planned to start at 3 p.m. UTC, will briefly introduce attendees to functional safety and provide an overview of CAN solutions. The CANopen Lift Status and the Future webinar will introduce attendees to CiA and, specifically, CiA 417 — the application profile for lift control systems that specifies communication interfaces for lift units and lift control units. Read more here. | | | The 2025 Elevator Industry Field Employees' Safety Handbook is here! The 220-page pocket-sized, spiral-bound 2025 edition of the Elevator Industry Field Employees' Safety Handbook is designed as a resource for safety information and written processes for elevator industry field employees to help prevent injuries and illnesses resulting from unsafe acts and conditions found in the elevator industry. Order your copy today at: https://elevatorbooks.com/shop/new-products/2025-elevator-industry-field-employees-safety-handbook/ | | | 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 2025 © Elevator World, Inc., 354 Morgan Avenue, Mobile, AL 36606, phone: 251-479-4514, www.elevatorworld.com. | | | | |
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