| ELEVATOR WORLD's October 2025 Issue
 On the Cover: Panoramic passenger elevator at the EKA
Elevator Factory in Türkiye
Features: New Era for Austin; 2025 Product of the Year...
Focus on Brakes and Component Systems: Optimized Elevator Brakes for the New Standards; Beyond the Safety Code... Columns: The Other Otis Legend; Elevating Talent... Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF VT SAFETY, PROJECT OF THE YEAR WINNERS
ELEVATOR WORLD's January 2026 issue will focus on The Future of Vertical-Transportation (VT) Safety and feature the 2026 Project of the Year Winners. There will be special distribution at SLM World in India. The article submission deadline is November 17, and the advertising deadline is December 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.
KONE CELEBRATES 115TH ANNIVERSARY
KONE celebrated its 115th anniversary on October 27. At the heart of its new strategy "Rise" lie sustainability and innovation. This 115-year-old success story employs more than 60,000 people across nearly 70 countries and has brought industry-transforming innovations to the market throughout its history. In 2024, KONE's revenue reached EUR11 billion (US$12.8 billion). KONE was among the first to set ambitious, science-based climate targets. Read more here
TOTAL ACCESS ELEVATOR ACQUIRES CALIFORNIA'S TRE ELEVATOR
Total Access Elevator, headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, and a portfolio company of Century Park Capital Partners, has acquired TRE Elevator of Van Nuys, California, Century Park Capital Partners announced on October 27. Lift Business Advisors served as advisors to TRE on the transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed. The partnership "brings together two highly respected companies and strengthens Total Access and TRE's position as leading independent elevator service providers in Southern California," Century Park Principal Adam Zacuto said. TRE was co-founded by Jim and Patty Bouzaglou in 2000 and is recognized for its deep expertise in machine-room-less systems and strong presence across the greater Los Angeles area serving residential, commercial and institutional properties. The partnership, according to Century Park Capital Partners, "will ensure continuity for TRE's employees and customers, with no planned operational changes." | | 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 | | | | NEII CONGRATULATES GRONE ON RETIREMENT
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII), headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, congratulates Philip W. Grone on his retirement at the end of 2025. Grone joined NEII in January 2021 as vice president for Government Affairs. He has also held positions as a consultant, director in the public sector practice of the Internet Business Solutions Group at Cisco Systems and as deputy under the secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment. Read more here
KERNS JOINS HYPERION AS MANAGER OF CUSTOMER CARE
Josh Kerns recently joined Hyperion Solutions, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, as manager of customer care. Kerns has more than 12 years' vertical-transportation industry experience, having served as sales executive for KONE and TK Elevator, both in the Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area; a modernization superintendent with Otis; and a vice president at PEAK Elevator, based in Dayton, Ohio.
METRO ELEVATOR NAMES NE MODERNIZATION OPERATIONS MANAGER
Metro Elevator recently announced Phil Christopher as its modernization operations manager for the New England (NE) office. His addition "strengthens our ability to deliver efficient, high-quality modernization solutions across the region," Metro Elevator New England President Scott O'Hare said. Christopher has more than 13 years' vertical-transportation industry experience in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. He previously supervised modernizations for both KONE and TK Elevator prior to joining the automotive dealership industry 2012. Christopher holds a BA in graphic design from Eastern Connecticut State University in Windham. | | 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 | | | ALIMAK'S 3Q RESULTS SHOW "RESILIENCE IN A CHALLENGING MARKET"
Stockholm, Sweden-headquartered Alimak Group announced on October 23 it is showing "resilience in a challenging market" during the third quarter (3Q). Order intake decreased by 3% to SEK1.54 billion (US$1.64 billion), an organic increase of 4%. There were positive contributions from the Construction and Industrial (which includes rack-and-pinion elevators) divisions, while the Façade Access division reported a lower order intake. Read more here
INVERTEK DRIVES RECEIVES KING'S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
Invertek Drives Ltd., a global leader in variable frequency drive (VFD) technology, marked the formal presentation of The King's Award for Enterprise - International Trade 2025 at its headquarters in Welshpool, Powys, Wales, U.K. The award acknowledges Invertek's 149% growth in overseas sales over six years, achieved despite global challenges including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. Read more here
OTIS PROVIDES 118 UNITS FOR NEW CAMBODIA AIRPORT
Otis announced on October 24 it provided 118 mobility units — 52 Gen2TM elevators, 36 515NPE escalators and 30 moving walks — to the newly inaugurated Techno International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Gen2 elevators feature machine-room-less, gearless technology and are powered by Otis ReGenTM regenerative drives that enable the units to convert excess energy into electricity. Both the 515NPE escalators and moving walks are designed for high-traffic areas. Read more here | | Revolution product line redefines the standard in Jack Replacements. No Welds, No Worries! Nidec Elevator Jack Replacements saves time and money on your installations. No need for hot work permits or certified welders. All in-house jacks will come standard with our newly designed Weld-less Cylinder couplings. This versatile solution allows you to simply screw together or weld in the field. Pressure test plates will be provided for on-site validation before setting the jack. Simplify your next jack replacement, Safer, Faster, and built to last. www.nidecelevatorgroup.com | | | PALEA ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TEAM
In a LinkedIn post, the Pacific Asia Lift & Escalator Association (PALEA) announced its Management Committee Team from July 2025 comprises President Abhijit Dandekar, Otis Singapore; Vice President Ito Kazumasa, Mitsubishi; Secretary Alvin Chen, Jardine Schindler; Treasurer Daniel Chen, Titi Maju; Comm. Member Yukio Ishii, Toshiba; Comm. Member N. Sundar, KONE and Comm. Member Akira Iwamoto, Hitachi. PALEA provides a neutral forum for all organizations within the lift/elevator and escalator industry operating in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. PALEA was registered in Singapore in February 1998 and held its inaugural meeting in July 1998. The association was formed to serve the needs of the lift (elevator) and escalator industry in the APAC region and covers 24 APAC countries. The association is a member of ISO and is represented on a number of working groups associated with the ISO/TC 178 technical committee.
SCHINDLER REFLECTS ON 2025 CHALLENGES, REWARDS
In a press release on October 24, Switzerland-headquartered Schindler reflected on the third quarter (3Q) and past nine months of 2025, periods that saw both challenges and rewards. Like fellow OEMs, the company experienced organic growth in modernization and service, while continued headwinds in China stifled new installation growth. In 3Q, Schindler's order intake reached CHF2.63 billion (US$3.30 billion), representing a year-on-year decline of 3.3%. Read more here
IN MEMORIAM: JOHN LEE KENNEDY
John Lee Kennedy of St. George, Utah, who spent more than four decades in the elevator industry, passed away on October 9 at age 83. One of nine children, Kennedy grew up on a farm in Genoa, Ohio, where he developed a lifelong love of farming and a strong work ethic. He continued working on the family farm after graduating high school, eventually entering an elevator apprenticeship program and landing a job in the industry. He progressed to become a seasoned mechanic specializing in elevator repair and maintenance. In the elevator industry, he was known for his technical knowledge, outstanding troubleshooting skills, sense of humor and ability to make friends with anyone. Upon retirement in 2001, Kennedy and his beloved wife, Phyllis, moved to various places: Alaska (best fishing), Colorado (best woodworking), Texas (best Bible study) and Utah (best weather), where they eventually settled. Survivors include children John Jr., Michele, Mike and Dave. | | 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 | | | ROBUST SERVICE AND MODERNIZATION BUOY KONE IN 3Q
KONE delivered a strong third quarter (3Q) as a continued focus on service and modernization proves successful, representing more than 60% of the Finland-based global OEM's revenue, KONE President and CEO Philippe Delorme said in an October 23 press release. Delorme said he is particularly pleased by the "excellent strides we are making in digitalization," with deployment of productivity-enhancing tools to field service teams. Read more here
ALPHA MATAR SIGNS COOPERATION PROTOCOL WITH SUNRISE HOTELS GROUP
Alpha Matar, one of Egypt's leading companies in the manufacturing, supply and installation of elevators and escalators, has signed a new cooperation protocol with Sunrise Hotels Group to supply and install a range of modern elevators across several of the Group's hotel brands, Zawya reports. Sunrise has distinguished hotel brands and a long track record of success and leadership in the tourism and hospitality sectors across the region. Read more here
SCHINDLER SPOTLIGHTS ELEVATORS AT EUROPE'S HIGHEST RESEARCH FACILITY
On October 21, Schindler spotlighted its two elevators serving Europe's highest research facility — the Sphinx Observatory in the Swiss Alps, which sits at an altitude of nearly 3,600 m and experiences temperatures as low as -37˚C. Every day, researchers, laboratory staff and thousands of visitors rely on the two Schindler elevators — among the fastest in Europe, traveling more than 108 m in only 25 s — to access the observatory and its panoramic viewing deck on a mountain summit. 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 | | | ALBERTA GOVERNMENT ISSUES VT CODE AND SAFETY NOTICES
The Elevating Devices division of the Alberta Government in Canada has issued two vertical-transportation (VT) notices regarding code and public safety, the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association reports. The government said the CSA B311:24 Safety Code for Manlifts comes into force on November 1, 2025, following its publication on October 31, 2024. Read more here
RTD-DENVER EXPANDS CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM TO ADDITIONAL ELEVATORS
The Regional Transportation District (RTD)-Denver in Colorado has expanded its open-door elevator program to include the Florida and U.S. 36/Broomfield light-rail stations following the success of the program at other stations, Progressive Railroading reports. During a 90-day pilot in spring 2024 at three high-use stations, RTD reprogrammed the stations' public elevator doors to remain open when not in use to discourage unwanted or criminal activity from occurring inside the elevators. Four additional stations' elevators were reprogrammed between June 2024 and September 2025 following the pilot's success. Calls for service at the reprogrammed locations dropped significantly year-over-year, RTD officials said. By the end of 2025, RTD will have reprogrammed the elevators at 12 stations to remain open when not in use.
HUNTSVILLE AIRPORT RENOVATION INCLUDES VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION
Alabama's Huntsville International Airport has received upgrades to enhance the experience and operations of the airport, NEWS 19 is among outlets to report. The US$14-million main concourse renovation increases accessibility for travelers with the addition of a second elevator and a second set of escalators. Work also included replacing the existing elevator and escalators, as well as installing two new sets of stairs. Robins & Morton served as the general contractor for the concourse renovation, and EDT-THA Architecture was the architect. | | Only Two Weeks Left! The SOURCE Directory is used worldwide by elevator contractors, architects, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, government agencies, educators, building owners and facility managers to locate companies, specify products and purchase goods and services.
Book your ad by November 11, and you will be joining many of the leading suppliers in the industry. Contact us: advertising@elevatorworld.com Advertisement | | | SDSU PARKING ELEVATORS OPERATING WITH EXPIRED PERMITS
The Associated Students Campus Community Commission at San Diego State University (SDSU) in California found that campus parking structure elevators have been operating under expired permits since 2023, The Daily Aztec reports. According to school officials, the elevators are currently in compliance with California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Elevator Unit permitting standards but are pending inspection. Read more here
LACK OF ADEQUATE VT SPARKS CONCERN IN MUMBAI, INDIA
The absence of descending escalators and non-functional elevators at the newly inaugurated Metro Line 3 that connects to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, India, has sparked concern the city's infrastructure projects fail to provide adequate accessibility, outlets including Urban Acres report. Sub-par vertical-transportation (VT) at metro stations along the 33.5-km Aqua Line that connects South Mumbai to BOM have forced flyers to drag suitcases down long flights of stairs at both Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), and T2 travelers must walk nearly 500 m from the metro exit to the airport gates. Read more here
JAPAN CASTLE TO GET OUTDOOR ELEVATOR
Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu, Japan, is set to have an outdoor elevator installed, connecting visitors to the keep, The Japan News reports. To reach the first floor of the keep, which sits atop stone walls, visitors must climb two flights of stairs. Motorized stairlifts have been installed, but they are difficult to use. The city has been looking into installing an outdoor elevator since fiscal 2020. Construction is scheduled to begin after the new year with completion expected in fiscal 2026. 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! 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 Kathleen Farrell. 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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