| 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.
ATTA EXPANDS INTO PHOENIX, WELCOMES RVP RICHARDS
ATTA Elevators recently announced its newest U.S. branch in Phoenix, Arizona, marking the latest step in its nationwide expansion. The new branch is being led by experienced industry veteran Regional Vice President (RVP) Scott Richards. ATTA is the largest independent elevator company in Canada and one of the fastest growing in the U.S. Richards joins ATTA after nearly eight years with Schindler, where he held roles including senior account manager and business program lead in the Phoenix market. 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 Advertisement | | | | KOLODZIEJ NAMED PHOENIX MODULAR ELEVATOR OPERATIONS MANAGER
Steven Kolodziej recently announced he has been named operations manager at Phoenix Modular Elevator Inc. Kolodziej joins Phoenix from Elevated Facility Services, where his roles included employee Health & Safety manager for the Midwest and operations manager, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to that, Kolodziej was a service supervisor for KONE. Read more here
NEIEP PARTNERS WITH ROWAN UNIVERSITY TO EXPAND TRAINING
The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) and New Jersey's Rowan University have embarked a new partnership that will create new academic pathways for members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), where members earn college credit for their apprenticeship training and advance toward a Rowan degree and certificate. NEIEP is responsible for managing curriculum design and administering training and evaluation programs for new hires entering the trade. 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 | | | TKE ACHIEVES RECORD FY 2024-25 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Dusseldorf, Germany-headquartered TK Elevator (TKE) achieved what CEO Uday Yadav described as "strong and record financial results" in fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 as it experienced growth in service and modernization and impressive sales of its EOX digitally native elevator platform, particularly in North America and Europe, TKE announced on December 9. In addition, the OEM opened a new competence center in Germany, expanded capacity in India and Brazil and gained a "strong strategic partner" — Alat — in Saudi Arabia. Year-on-year, TKE sales increased 2% to EUR9.2 billion (US$10.7 billion), driven by 5% growth in service and 11% growth in modernization, more than offsetting new installation softness in China. Service and modernization accounted for 65% of total revenue, and EOX order intake increased more than 50%, buoyed by targeted segments in Europe, Africa and the Americas. | | | STANNAH CELEBRATES 2025 FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Stannah announced that it has raised more than GBP40,000 (US$53,339) in 2025 for a variety of life-changing charities, an achievement made possible through the dedication and generosity of its employees, the strength of its match-funding scheme and the support of the Joseph Stannah Foundation. 2025 saw Stannah's employees, including Alastair Stannah, bravely take on the mighty abseil at the Northampton Lift Tower, raising more than GBP4,449 (US$5,932) for the UK Lift Industry Charity. Read more here
FUJITEC PACIFIC CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Fujitec Pacific, a Guam-based subsidiary of Japan's Fujitec Co., Ltd., in 2025 celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since being established in 1985, Fujitec Pacific has expanded its business across Guam and the Mariana Islands, supporting vertical-transportation (VT) infrastructure for multiple major resorts. As Guam's tourism industry grew, a turning point for the subsidiary came in 1987 when it installed elevators at the new Pacific Star Hotel. 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 | | | | AFRICA VT EVENT LOOKS TOWARD SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
Industry stakeholders are urging stronger safety and compliance measures for elevators and escalators as Nairobi, Kenya, and other cities build taller, denser structures, Capital Business reports. Speakers at the inaugural International Sourcing Exposition for Elevators and Escalators (ISEE) Africa 2025 on December 2-4 said this push is informed by rising safety concerns in high-rise buildings. The importance of regulatory oversight was emphasized, and Engineers Board of Kenya member Margaret Ogai highlighted the existing local technical capacity and regulatory compliance framework that can support safe elevator operations. Read more here
CECA CONSTRUCTION HOIST COMMITTEE FOCUSED ON INSURANCE, TRAINING AND SAFETY
The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) Construction Hoist Committee provided an update in the latest CECA newsletter following the committee's November meeting. Research on different companies is ongoing toward creating a single construction hoist insurance program that would reduce rates by pooling the businesses and removing their profiles from the wider, high-risk profile of construction and/or foreign construction elevator businesses. Read more here | | MID-AMERICA ELEVATOR JOINS AEG TO DRIVE INDIANA GROWTH
Indianapolis, Indiana-based Mid-America Elevator, founded by Ron Selke in 1979 and delivering elevator service and modernization across Indiana, has been acquired by American Elevator Group (AEG), Maven Group, which served as advisor to Mid-America, announced on December 9. Guided by Selke, Mid-America has grown into a "powerhouse in the Indiana market known for its commitment to quality, reliability and customer satisfaction," according to Maven. The merger provides Mid-America with advanced technologies, enhanced support, training and career opportunities for employees. Mid-America will retain its name, team and leadership. "We chose AEG because of their shared values and commitment to excellence, safety and customer satisfaction," said Selke's son and company President Brian Selke. Ron Selke thanked Maven Group for providing its "truly staggering expertise of the acquisition process." | | 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 | | | IN MEMORIAM: VERNON JAMES IRVING
Vernon James Irving of Forest Hill, Maryland, a lifelong elevator man, engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away at age 65 in November with his beloved wife by his side. With a master's degree in electrical engineering, Irving began his vertical-transportation (VT) career at General/Dover/ThyssenKrupp in 1983. After 20 years, he joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as chief engineer of the Elevator and Escalator division. His entrepreneurial drive ultimately inspired him to launch his own business, Admiral Elevator Co., in 2000. Under his leadership, Admiral grew to become one of the largest independent VT firms on the East Coast. Irving also designed and developed the software package for a fire-service elevator programmable logic controller used in foreign equipment, and authored The Next Generation of Elevator Control Systems in 1994 — a work that influenced the evolution of future elevator controller designs. | | 1940 & 3148 Submersible Power Units - A Drop-In Solution That Just Works. Reliable! Compact! Built for today's solutions! When space is tight and performance matters, the 1940 & 3148 Series delivers a drop-in engineered solution for new installs and demanding modernizations. Designed for quiet operation, reduced vibration, and smooth performance, these units simplify your job while meeting strict mechanical clearances for your electrical requirements. Need more horsepower, higher flow, or larger oil capacity? The 3148 Series steps up with expanded capabilities and the proven reliability professionals come to expect. Proven design. Modern performance. Ready for your next project. www.nidecelevatorgroup.com Advertisement | | | | INDIA'S NCRTC HOLDS ESCALATOR SAFETY CAMPAIGN
India's National Capital Region Transport Corp. (NCRTC) undertook an escalator safety campaign on the high-speed Namo Bharat corridor, India's first regional rapid transit system line connecting major cities in the NCR, the Daily Pioneer reports. Under the initiative, teams from NCRTC and Deutsche Bahn Regional Rapid Transit System India interacted with commuters and train passengers to spread awareness about proper use of the equipment. Read more here
EMAY AND CLADDAGH PRESENT U.S-MADE PRIMA DOOR OPERATOR
EMAY Group Co., headquartered in Türkiye, and Claddagh Electronics, based in Long Island City (LIC), NY, presented their Prima Door Operator at the EMAY U.S.A. offices in LIC on December 3. The product is made in the U.S. through an EMAY-Claddagh partnership — EMAY Automatic Door System USA. Representatives from TEI Group, BP Elevator, Universal Elevator and Hudson Elevator Group were among the nearly 60 in attendance. EMAY and Claddagh anticipate producing approximately 250 Prima units annually at the LIC shop. — reported by Matthew Jackson, EW Correspondent | | Hilliard offers its customers two styles of spring applied electric released brakes that can be easily fitted to "A" frame elevator drives. These brakes are designed to apply when unintended travel of the car occurs. Hilliard offers a friction disc plate-style brake that attaches to the drive shaft of the pulley and a caliper-style that acts on a ring attached to the pulley. These brakes are an alternative to a rope gripper when performing a modernization job which requires lifting or moving a drive or extra construction to the elevator. Hilliard offers certain models of these two styles of brakes that meet CSA approval. For more information, visit www.hilliardcorp.com Advertisement | | | DESIMONE TAPS HAUGHEY TO LEAD NYC OFFICE
DeSimone, a leading global engineering and consulting firm founded in NYC in 1969, in November announced the expansion of its vertical-transportation (VT) division with the addition of Robert Haughey to lead to the NYC practice. With nearly a decade of experience across VT consulting, modernization and maintenance strategy, Haughey adds a wealth of field expertise gained through progressive roles with Otis, Schindler and Lerch Bates. His portfolio includes major projects for clients including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, American Express, JLL, Hines, Brookfield Properties, CBRE, Related Cos., Marriott International, NBCUniversal, Radio City Music Hall, Raytheon and Kaiser Permanente. Recently, Haughey served as a VT consultant for JPMorgan Chase's new supertall headquarters at 270 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan where he led and conducted in-depth traffic-flow analysis to integrate both people- and material-flow systems. At 383 Madison Avenue, a 47-story tower, Haughey served as lead consultant overseeing VT maintenance management of 33 elevators and escalators. In his new role, Haughey is focused on strengthening DeSimone's capabilities in elevator and building systems strategy and integration following its acquisition of KP Elevator Consulting in 2024.
HEA CLINCHES LOWCARBONSG AWARD AT SINGAPORE EVENT
Hitachi Elevator Asia Pte. Ltd. (HEA) received the LowCarbonSG Award at the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2025 in October. The award recognizes companies that have significantly reduced Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by at least 5% over the past 24 months through conscious efforts, strategies and investments. Out of more than 260 participating organizations, HEA was ultimately selected as one of three winners in 2025, following a rigorous, multi-level quantitative and qualitative assessment and audit conducted by an independent judging panel. Read more here | | ONYX is your trusted partner for escalator handrail solutions, with local manufacturing in Las Vegas and a complete inventory ready for same-day pick-up. Our 24/7 online portal offers instant quotes, order tracking, and real-time updates—anytime, anywhere. Designed for speed, reliability, and fast, nationwide field service, ONYX keeps your escalators moving. For more information, please email us at sales@onyxloops.com or visit www.onyxloops.com. Ready when you are. Advertisement | | | IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT A.M. STERN
Robert A.M. Stern, a renowned architect who founded the firm that helped shape the luxury condo market in Manhattan, NY, passed away on November 27 at age 86 after a brief illness, The Real Deal NY is among outlets to report. By the time he was a young teen, Stern knew he wanted to be an architect, going on to earn a master's degree in architecture from Yale University in 1965. He founded NYC-based Robert A.M. Stern Architects in 1969 and served as dean of the Yale School of Architecture from 1998-2016. Stern's firm emphasized incorporating architectural history and "complexities of place," making its mark on the Manhattan skyline with 15 Central Park West, a luxury 35-story condominium building dubbed the "Limestone Jesus" that sold out before completing construction in 2008. Stern's firm also designed major projects in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and south Florida. | | MONTANARI NORTH AMERICA, the U.S. Company by Montanari Group - since 1970 the Italian specialist for traction machines. Get to know our new Belted gearless range for elevators' mods! We support North American installations with a specialized range of geared, gearless and safety devices - Made in Italy quality, CSA certified! Contact us at info@montanarina.com or visit www.montanarina.com Advertisement | | | GREECE EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR ELEVATOR REGISTRATION
The government of Greece is granting a seven-month extension to the mandatory registration of elevators in the Digital Registry, moving the deadline to June 30, 2026, BnB News reports. The decision aims to provide additional time for property owners, building managers and industry professionals to complete the required procedures. According to officials, the number of registrations has increased significantly in recent weeks, with more than 250,000 elevators now recorded. Read more here
KCS NONPROFIT TO RECEIVE MUCH-NEEDED ELEVATOR FOR NY HQ
Korean Community Services (KCS), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Bayside, Queens, NY, has received US$2 million in state funding to install a much-needed elevator, QNS reports. The funding, secured with the help of state Sen. John Liu, will allow KCS to expand programs and services that include senior services, youth programming, adult education, workforce development, family support, community events and more. Read more here | | Looking to maximize elevator door performance? Upgrade to the MOVFR 3 Next-Gen Door Operator from GAL for reliable, quiet and precise performance. Featuring a 1/2 HP motor, quick plug-and-play installation, and seamless closed-loop operation. Perfect for demanding applications. Works with all OEM and independent cabs and doors with optical closed loop feedback. Experience intelligent design and proven reliability. Learn more at www.vantageelevation.com/movfr3-harmonic-door-operator/. Advertisement | | | CONNECTICUT PARKING GARAGES TO GET UPGRADES
The Town of West Hartford, Connecticut, is launching a comprehensive multi-year modernization project to upgrade elevators and escalators throughout the town's public parking facilities and pedestrian areas, Patch reports. The work began on December 1 and will continue in phases through 2027. These improvements will enhance safety, accessibility, reliability and energy efficiency across the system. Read more here
ESCALATOR STOPPAGE IN TÜRKIYE CAPITAL BEING INVESTIGATED
Allegations that escalators were intentionally stopped at various locations in the Turkish capital city of Ankara are being investigated by the city's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, outlets including Haberler reported on December 3. The investigation follows a complaint from the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality that the units were stopped on purpose, but presented as malfunctioning. Read more here
CVU PLANS AMERICAS CONFERENCE AUSTIN IN MARCH 2026
The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) plans to host the Americas Conference Austin 2026, "Change: Shaping Urban Growth through Density, Livability and Technology," in Austin, Texas, on March 25-27, 2026. The event is set to include three days of discourse among the foremost voices in architecture, engineering, development, construction, urban policy and numerous other disciplines to examine how vertical urbanism is reshaping cities nationwide. 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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