| ELEVATOR WORLD's December 2025 Issue
 On the Cover: "Dupont Circle Escalators;" photo submitted by WMATA Elevator/Escalator Department.
Features: Everything Everywhere All at Once; 2025 Ellie Award Winners...
Focus on Escalators and Moving Walks: Escalator Handrails; Advancing Safety for Escalators
and Moving Walks... Columns: Targeted Elevator Maintenance Leveraging loT... Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW TO FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
ELEVATOR WORLD's February 2026 issue will focus on Maintenance and Inspection and feature Continuing Education. The article submission deadline is December 15, and the advertising deadline is January 2. 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.
EW ANNOUNCES 2026 PROJECT OF THE YEAR WINNERS
ELEVATOR WORLD proudly announces the 2026 Project of the Year winners. Expert teams in Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Korea (two winners) and the U.S. (Connecticut and Florida) emerged victorious by successfully completing challenging, rewarding vertical- (and horizontal-) transportation projects in eight categories featuring an airport, an office building, a private residence, public transit systems, a sports arena and a new bridge. This year's winning projects are outstanding, and we heartily congratulate all the companies and teams involved. EW received a record number of amazing entries this year, so judging was particularly challenging. 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 | | | | U.K.'S STANNAH BOLSTERS LD&R M&R DIVISION WITH TWO APPOINTMENTS
Stannah Lifts, headquartered in Andover, U.K., recently announced two appointments within the Maintenance and Repair (M&R) division of Lifts Distribution and Service (LD&S) department. Peter Bailey, an integral part of the Stannah Birmingham team for nearly 20 years, has been named manager of the Birmingham service branch. Bailey began his career as a repair engineer, later managing apprentices before progressing to field repair manager. Beth Stannah has been appointed manager of the Orpington service branch. Read more here
IAEC FORUM 2026 TO BE HELD IN ORLANDO
The International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC) Forum 2026 will be held on May 5-7, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The Forum will include three days of expert-led education, networking and fun. IAEC has negotiated a rate of US$185 per night at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, available for attendees from May 2-9. Attendees are encouraged to come early or stay later to turn the Forum into a family getaway. Reservations must be made by April 15 to secure this special pricing. | | 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 | | | METRO STRENGTHENS MICHIGAN LEADERSHIP TEAM
Metro Elevator recently announced it strengthened its Michigan leadership team with the addition of Brian Greenia as vice president (VP) and Chris Gallagher as VP of Operations. Greenia has decades of industry experience spanning modernization strategy, operations and customer service. He joined Metro following a nearly 20-year career with Otis, where he held roles including Field Operations and Sales manager. He holds an MBA in business administration. Read more here
EESF ANNUAL CONFERENCE PLANNED FOR MARCH 2026 IN ALABAMA
The 2026 Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) Conference will be held on March 10-12 at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, Alabama. The opening reception and expo, featuring 20 industry companies and organizations, will be held on the evening of March 10. Booths may be reserved by contacting EESF Executive Director Amber Catlin-Kolodziej at email. Read more here | | | U.K.'S LIFT & ESCALATOR SYMPOSIUM ISSUES FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS
Organizers of the 17th Symposium on Lift & Escalator Technologies (Lift & Escalator Symposium), planned on September 16-17, 2026, at Kettering Park Hotel & Spa in Kettering, U.K., have issued a first call for papers. Abstracts are welcome from professionals, academics and post-graduate students. The event provides an opportunity to share research and knowledge, as well as network with colleagues from across the industry. Read more here
NIDEC SUBSIDIARY ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW CAMPUS IN INDIA
Nidec Motion & Energy India, a subsidiary of the global Nidec Corp., recently announced the commencement of operations at its new, 50-acre facility in North Karnataka, India — The Orchard Hub in Hubli-Dharwad. Strengthening the company's elevator traction machine business, the new campus is equipped with advanced infrastructure and six business verticals, with the elevator business segment a key focus area. 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 Advertisement | | | | IUEC ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SAFETY SUMMIT IN LAS VEGAS
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) announces the inaugural IUEC Global Safety Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 28-29, 2026. Aligning with Workers Memorial Day, the National Day of Mourning and the Global Day for Safety and Health, the event will "unite manufacturers, contractors, mechanics, safety professionals and inspectors in a shared commitment to ensuring every worker returns home safely." Those who attend can expect to learn about best practices from international safety leaders; discover the latest in safety gear, training tools and technology during a safety expo; earn continuing-education credit through keynotes and workshops; and explore how partnership can reduce fatalities and strengthen safety programs. For details on registration, exhibitor/sponsor packages or speaker submissions, please visit website.
OTIS NAMED A BEST COMPANY IN AMERICA BY FORBES
Otis has been named among America's Best Companies for 2026 by Forbes. The list ranks the top 500 companies on more than 100 metrics across 10 categories, including customer sentiment, employee sentiment, financial performance, business trajectory and workforce stability. Public and private companies with at least 7,000 U.S.-based employees, including U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-based firms, were eligible. Read more here | | J&L ELEVATOR COMPONENTS LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE SHOP
J&L Elevator Components, a leading U.K. supplier of high-quality lift parts and equipment for more than 20 years, announced the official launch of its comprehensive e-commerce platform. The new online shop allows industry professionals to shop lift parts from a one-stop resource, offering immediate access to more than 1,700 components for both new lift designs and modernization projects. The platform features an extensive catalog of parts from brands for which J&L is a U.K. agent, including LiftEquip, Cobianchi, SCHAEFER and MGTI. Users can navigate a database of geared and gearless machines, electrical components, doors, escalators and safety equipment with an intuitive search and categorization system. Beyond the product catalog, the online shop includes a technical resource hub with technical documents, installation manuals and drawings.
LIFT EXPO UZBEKISTAN TO BE HELD IN MAY 2026
Lift Expo Uzbekistan will be held on May 27-29, 2026, at the Anhor Park Expo Center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Focused on elevators, escalators and related technologies and accessories in Uzbekistan, this exhibition serves as a platform for domestic supporting industries, offering them the chance to connect with potential overseas customers, showcase elevator parts, components, technologies and solutions. Lift Expo Uzbekistan also provides local elevator manufacturers with opportunities to seek partnerships and expand their trade markets. | | 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 | | | MEBS COMPLETES WORLD'S FIRST SPIRAL ESCALATOR RENEWAL
Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corp. (MEBS) announced on November 27 that subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric S.A. de C.V. (MELMEX) completed the world's first spiral escalator renewal at Liverpool department store at the Centro Santa Fe mall in Santa Fe, Mexico, in October. The modernization retained the original curved design while enhancing safety and energy efficiency. The unit is one of two spiral escalators delivered in Mexico by the company in 1992. Read more here
HYUNDAI ELEVATOR SEES DIVIDENDS RISE
Shares of Hyundai Elevator Co. rose by more than 3% on November 28, following brokerage projections that large-scale dividends will continue, Pulse reports. An analyst at DS Investment & Securities Co., said in a report that Hyundai Elevator is likely to pay a dividend of at least KRW12,000 ($US8.17) to KRW14,000 (US$9.53) per share based on the end of February 2026. The company will pay a third-quarter settlement dividend of KRW1,000 (US$.68) per share with November 30 as the record date, noting that "based on the previous day's closing price, the dividend yield reaches 14.7 to 17.2%." The company is expected to continue expanding its high-dividend policy next year, and the North Korea-related momentum remains valid under the current administration. Shares of Hyundai Elevator finished at KRW86,800 (US$59.11) on November 28, up 6.90% from the previous session. | | Inpro elevator interiors make installation faster, easier, and more precise. Designed for efficiency, we eliminate guesswork and ensure a secure fit every time, saving contractors time and money without compromising quality. Build smarter with innovation that works as hard as you do. Advertisement | | | | OTIS SIGNS DEAL WITH MEDIA TECHNOLOGY COMPANY ICARO
Otis has signed a multi-year contract with ICARO Media Group, Inc., a leading AI media technology company, which has recently expanded its Multiscreen Monetization Network with the recent acquisition of European Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) firm Liftmedia. ICARO will deliver hyperlocal news, AI-personalized content — often tailored to the context of each building — and branded experiences through its own Generative AI media services and premium third-party publishers. Read more here
SINGAPORE VT WORKFORCE: WAGES UP, AGES DOWN
The vertical-transportation (VT) industry in Singapore is seeing a younger workforce and significantly higher wages, with the median age dropping from 46 to 40 since 2023 and wages seeing 14% and 10% jumps in 2024 and 2025, respectively, The Straits Times reports. Factors, including the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) — an initiative that helps increase wages through upskilling and improving productivity — and technology are credited for the turnaround. Overall, there has been a 7% increase in Singaporeans working in the industry since 2023, with approximately 1,300 taking care of roughly 79,000 elevators and 7,900 escalators. Singapore Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said at an inaugural VT awards ceremony in November that the PWM has resulted in a VT specialist earning a minimum of SGD3,590 (US$2,770) per month. Technology being implemented, Chee Hong Tat said, includes an AI-powered technician assistant developed by KONE. | | The Embedded Modernization Escalator (EME) incorporates a modular structure into existing trusses, standardizing escalator upgrades. Proven globally and customer-approved, EME is both an innovative product and a leading modernization solution. Explore the future at www.hansonlift.com. Advertisement | | | ALIMAK GROUP TRANSITIONS TO NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH PROGRAM
Alimak Group, headquartered in Sweden and providing vertical-access solutions including elevators and construction hoists worldwide, on November 25 announced it is transitioning to the next phase of its financial and sustainability growth program — New Heights 2.0. Launched in 2020, the New Heights program has established the group as a sustainable, resilient and profitable company. Designed to accelerate profitable growth and enhance long-term value, New Heights 2.0 includes updated revenue, earnings and sustainability targets through 2028. Read more here
TWO OTIS ELEVATORS PART OF BROOKLYN MTA STATION UPGRADES
The NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) tells ELEVATOR WORLD Otis manufactured two elevators that are part of accessibility upgrades at the Church Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, NY, announced in November. The two new street-to-platform elevators are joined by a new entrance on East 18th Street, two new stairways, a new customer information screen and a new transfer bridge. There are also new boarding areas and tactile edge strips. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber noted the authority is "knocking out Americans with Disabilities Act projects five times as fast as predecessors" thanks to a design-build approach. On this project, 30% of the budget was awarded to disadvantaged businesses, and the team included Urbahn Architects, Dewberry, Forte Construction and EAE Halmar International, which will take care of elevator maintenance for the next 25 years. | | The WUR-COM® from Wurtec is a no-fee, all-digital solution for multimedia elevator communications. The WUR-COM® meets the latest ASME requirements by providing two-way audio, video monitoring of the cab, and text capabilities. The fully digital WUR-COM® package also eliminates the need for POTS lines. Check out the details here, and get in touch with us at 1.800.837.1066 or WurtecSales@wurtec.com. Advertisement | | | KOREA ELEVATOR SAFETY AUTHORITY HOLDS SAFETY WEEK EVENTS
The Korea Elevator Safety Authority is spreading elevator safety culture by holding "2025 Elevator Safety Week" and awarding commendations to 32 individuals who have contributed to the development of elevator safety, Maeil Business Newspaper reports. In November, the Elevator Safety Corp. held a ceremony and elevator safety week under the theme of "Elevator Safety to Protect Together, People's Happiness to Realize Together." More than 200 officials from academia, industry and local governments attended the ceremony. Read more here | | Bring It On! Neither rain, sleet, snow, dirt or corrosive environments can stop our NEMA 4X push buttons, fixtures, hall stations or position indicators from doing their job. All our NEMA 4X products are built from heavy-duty materials and components to ensure continuous operation in harsh or potential high abuse applications. Year after year after year. www.innovationind.com Advertisement | | | ELEVATOR INSTALLATIONS GUIDED BY RESIDENTS IN CHINESE CITY
Residents of the Renhe District of the Liangjiang New Area in Chongqing, China, are leading successful efforts to have elevators installed in their multi-story buildings, with 253 new elevators installed in the district thus far, iChonqing reports. The source spotlighted a senior citizen who in 2021 began volunteering to lead community-level, self-governed groups bringing residents together to discuss their specific accessibility needs. In general, residents of lower floors are less willing to chip in financially for an elevator, but the senior volunteer was able to win one second-floor resident's support by offering her elevator access to transport heavy goods. Normally, the elevator is accessed with keys held only by contributing households. In addition to resident fees, the elevators are funded by government subsidies and national bonds. The experience of residents of the Renhe District mirrors that of people across the country as the population ages, the source stated.
FATAL FREIGHT ELEVATOR ACCIDENT IN SOUTH KOREA
A man in his 50s was killed after being trapped in a freight elevator while repairing it at a building in Chuksan-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, on November 25, The Chosun Daily reports. The repairman, identified only as Mr. A, was transported by fire authorities to a nearby hospital, where he died. Read more here | | THE 2026 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 2026! 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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