ELEVATOR WORLD's February 2026 Issue  On the Cover: "Glass Shaft & Piston;" A Liberty Elevator glass elevator shaft with hydraulic shaft and LED lighting located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, installed by Liberty Elevator; submitted by Dru Brooks, Liberty Elevator, Paterson, New Jersey
Features: Rise and Ride; A Walk in the Garden; GEE 2025...
Focus on Maintenance and Inspection: A Quiet Revolution; Why Elevator Safety Standards Need a Complete Overhaul... Columns: ISEE Africa; Space Coast Energy; Elevante Homelift...
Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW TO FOCUS ON FIXTURES
ELEVATOR WORLD's April 2026 issue will focus on Fixtures (Cab and hallway lighting,
buttons, handrails, car panels, phone and more) with Bonus Distribution at the ECNY Supplier Showcase. The article submission deadline is February 16, and the advertising deadline is March 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. | | 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 | | | | CIBES CEO ROLE TRANSITIONS FROM LIDSTRÖM TO LEWERTH
Martin Lewerth has been appointed the new CEO of Gävle, Sweden-headquartered Cibes Lift Group, succeeding Per Lidström, who is pursuing new career paths. Lidström, who will continue to serve on the Cibes board, will help ensure a smooth handover to Lewerth, who assumes his new role on March 1. Lewerth joins Cibes with extensive leadership experience in the industrial, telecommunications and energy transition sectors, most recently serving as group CEO at Aira, one of Europe's leading heat pump companies. Read more here
ATTA ELEVATORS EXPANDS INTO DENVER
ATTA Elevators, a leading elevator and escalator North American service provider based in Ontario, recently announced its expansion into Denver, Colorado, "extending its owner-operator approach to one of the region's fastest-growing markets." The Denver operation will be led by Henry Silva, known for deep technical and field expertise, and Caitlin Franks, who brings broad industry-specific sales and project management experience. Read more here | | Delco Products Now Stocked in Miami — Ready for Pickup! Working on a South Florida job? Skip the shipping delays. Delco roller guides, door detectors, and safety barricades are now stocked locally at MEGA Elevator Parts for immediate pickup. Order Now: sales@megaelevatorparts.us | www.megaelevatorparts.us Advertisement | | | SAVARIA ACQUIRES BAXTER RESIDENTIAL ELEVATORS
Savaria Corp., a global leader in the accessibility industry based in Quebec, Canada, has completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Baxter Residential Elevators, LLC (BRE), a leading dealer and installer of home elevators and lifts based in Frisco, Texas. Founded in 2004, BRE has been a long-time Savaria dealer serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and generated approximately US$4 million in revenue in 2025. The company has established strong relationships with homebuilders throughout North Texas, particularly in the luxury residential segment, where demand for home elevators continues to grow. Richard D. Baxter, the founder and owner of BRE, will continue to lead the business as a division of Savaria, ensuring continuity for customers and employees. The Dallas metropolitan area represents a strategically important market for Savaria, as Texas is among the fastest-growing states in the U.S. with significant residential and commercial construction activity underway. "This transaction provides Savaria with a direct presence in this high-growth market and strengthens its ability to serve customers and partners in the region," the press release said.
EESF TO HOST RESIDENTIAL ELEVATOR RIDER SAFETY EVENT
The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) plans to host the virtual Residential Elevator Rider Safety Think Tank on February 18 at noon EST via Zoom. The session is designed to gather insight, identify real-world risks and help shape future residential rider safety materials. "We have heard the industry clearly," EESF stated. "There is a growing need for residential and home elevator rider safety education, and EESF is ready to build it to together with the experts who know the space best." Read more here | | | ECNY TO PRESENT ROOFTOP RECEPTION AND SUPPLIER SHOWCASE
Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) invites ECNY members, vendors and Supplier Showcase attendees to the Vendor Appreciation & Networking Penthouse & Rooftop Reception and annual Supplier Showcase on April 14 in the Flatiron District and April 15 in the Bronx, respectively. Launched last year to great success, the reception is planned for 5-9 p.m. at the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar at 1150 Broadway. On tap will be breathtaking views of the NYC skyline, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dessert and a top-shelf open bar. Read more here
SAVE THE DATE: EAM EDUCATION AND GOLF EVENT
The Elevator Association of Minnesota (EAM) is bringing its Spring Education event and Summer Golf outing together on June 25 for one full day of learning, networking and fun. The combined event will take place at The Links at Northfork in Ramsey, Minnesota. Participants can expect morning education sessions, networking throughout the day and afternoon golf. There will be prize drawings, as well as "closest to the hole" and "longest drive" contests. Breakfast, lunch and a post-golf reception are included in the price of registration. Registration details, sponsorship opportunities and education topics will be announced soon.
KONE CEO: 300,000 ELEVATORS NEED TO BE MODERNIZED IN TÜRKIYE
Philippe Delorme, CEO of KONE, which is celebrating its 30th year in Türkiye, and Bora Tuncer, KONE general manager for Türkiye and Kazakhstan, recently held a press conference to discuss Türkiye's global strategies and goals. At the meeting, Delorme said, "There are 25 million elevators in the world. Approximately 10 million of them need to be modernized. In Türkiye, 300,000 of the one million elevators are more than 15 years old. Figures show there is a huge opportunity in Türkiye in both the new construction and modernization markets." 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 | | | | IN MEMORIAM: JARED BEN TOLAR
Jared Ben Tolar of Knoxville, Tennessee, who made a name for himself in elevator sales at companies including KONE, Elevated Facility Services and United Elevator Services, passed away on January 18 at age 39 while in the Smoky Mountains. Known as "Ben," he was the son of former National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) President John Tolar and his wife, Mary Lynn Tolar. Both within the elevator industry and without, Ben Tolar will be profoundly missed for his sense of humor, kindness and constant pursuit of "committing to the bit." That, his family said, "was all part of the charm that made him so good at uniting people throughout every chapter of his charismatic life." Besides people, Ben Tolar loved literature, going on adventures (especially in the mountains), solving problems and, occasionally, stage diving at local hardcore/metal shows. In addition to his parents, survivors include wife, Jessicah and children, Ephrym, Evee and Gideon. There was an outpouring of support on LinkedIn from John Tolar's professional network, including from NAEC Executive Director Rená Cozart, who said, "Ben was an amazing young man, and his loss is deeply felt. Please know that we are here to support you and your family during this sad journey." | | MP LIFTS CEO CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The Board of Directors of Seville, Spain-based MP Lifts approved the appointment of Rafael Ruiz Nieto as new CEO, effective January 27. Outgoing CEO Eugenio Barroso remains connected to the company in a non-executive role, focused on institutional support, knowledge transfer and corporate representation to facilitate a gradual transition aligned with the group's future. Nieto has been with MP Lifts since 1999, previously serving as deputy managing director. Read more here
RESOLUTION PUSHES FOR MODERN ELEVATOR STANDARDS IN BC
A Saanich, British Columbia (BC), Canada-led resolution urging the province to modernize elevator standards has been approved by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), Saanich News reports. The resolution calls on the province to allow the use of smaller, internationally standardized elevators commonly used in Europe and Asia. Currently, BC's building code requires North American elevator standards, which require larger cabins. The resolution could lower housing costs and improve accessibility in low- and mid-rise buildings. Read more here
RENEWED TKE HKG CONTRACT COVERS MORE THAN 300 VT UNITS
TK Elevator (TKE) announced on February 5 it expanded its new installation and Universal Service partnership with Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) with a renewed maintenance contract that covers more than 300 TKE and third-party pieces of vertical-transportation (VT) equipment over four years. Emphasizing TKE's ability to provide OEM-level services and support for a broad range of elevators, escalators and moving walks, the deal brings the total number of mobility units under TKE maintenance at HKG to 358. 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 | | | 451 ESCALATORS AND MOVING WALKS FROM FUJITEC FOR INDIA'S CMRL
Fujitec, headquartered in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on February 6 announced group company Fujitec India Pvt. Ltd. received an order for 451 escalators and moving walks from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) for Chennai Metro Rail Project (CMRP) in southern India. Against the backdrop of the Indian government's focus on developing infrastructure, including railway systems, in metropolitan areas, Fujitec will deliver the units to 54 stations along corridors three and five. Read more here
AUSTRALIA'S NCC 2025 PREVIEW PUBLISHED, GOVERNMENTS TO CONSIDER ADOPTION
The Australian Building Codes Board published an official preview of National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 on February 1, with state and territory governments to consider adoption — on their own timelines — starting May 1, the Lift Engineering Society of Australia recently noted. Reflecting public consultation and expert technical review, the preview includes several updates aimed at improving safety, performance and usability across the built environment. Read more here | | | INDIA METRO EXECUTIVE: METRO EXPANSION TO DRIVE NEED FOR VT
Expansion of the Namma Metro in Bengaluru, India, from 96 km and 83 stations to nearly 175 km and 127 stations over the next two years will drive the need for additional elevators, escalators and moving walks, Bangalore Metro Rail Corp. Ltd. (BMRCL) Director Sumit Bhatnagar said during the second Smart Lift & Mobility World 2026 held on February 5-7 in Bengaluru, which was covered by outlets including The Hindu. Nearly 78 km of the metro is currently under construction across the city, and stations with high footfall will be in particular need of vertical-transportation (VT) equipment, he said, observing that "managing passenger movement within stations is as important as train operations." In the Namma Metro's next phase of growth, it will be operating with an inventory of approximately 500 elevators and nearly 1,00 escalators, along with moving walks at select stations, Bhatnagar said. | | Argus Elevator is committed to enhancing elevator safety by providing quick-to-ship, easy-to-install, and cost-effective safety solutions that ensure code compliance. With user experience in mind, their products feature bright, easy-to-read screens and compact designs that fit in your hand. From door lock monitoring and pit flood protection to unintended car movement, door restrictors, and brake monitoring, Argus Elevator offers the safety solutions customers need. www.arguselevator.com Advertisement | | | THREE ELEVATORS MODERNIZED BY MID-AMERICAN UNVEILED BY NYC MTA
The NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unveiled three modernized elevators on February 2 for the 125th Street ABCD subway station in Harlem. MTA tells ELEVATOR WORLD that Chicago-based Mid-American Elevator performed the work. Part of larger accessibility and safety upgrades, the elevators serve the mezzanine to platform and street level to the mezzanine. Elevator cabs and associated equipment, along with an elevator head house and street-level canopy, were replaced. Read more here
HYUNDAI ELEVATOR SIGNS MOU WITH TOWN BOARD CENTRAL IN SEOUL
Hyundai Elevator has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Town Board Central in Seoul to establish standards for built-in monitors inside elevators, The Asia Business Daily reports. The two companies plan to enhance resident satisfaction by offering differentiated products that add media equipment during elevator remodeling. In the past, monitors were attached after the elevator was installed, which drew criticism for design inconsistency. Read more here | | Join us at New York's biggest Festival of Construction on March 18-19 at the Javits Center. New York Build features 45,000+ attendees, 550+ speakers, 550+ exhibitors, networking parties, live music, entertainment and more. Register your free ticket now! Advertisement | | | STANNAH SPOTLIGHTS "SKILLS FOR LIFE" DURING APPRENTICE WEEK
Stannah is marking the U.K.'s National Apprenticeship Week 2026 — February 9–15 — by celebrating the apprentices who are developing the practical, technical and professional skills that will support them throughout their careers. This year's theme, Skills for Life, reflects the long-term impact apprenticeships have across the business, from engineering and digital roles to finance, business support and manufacturing. Apprentices across the company combine hands-on experience with structured learning, gaining the knowledge and confidence to take the next steps in their careers. A cornerstone of Stannah's engineering pathway is the dedicated training environment created for lift and escalator apprentices. Stannah operates its own specialist lift engineering training center, where apprentices can work directly with full-scale equipment in a safe, purpose-built space. Combined with structured traction and hydraulic lift training, this approach gives Stannah apprentices a solid, practical grounding from day one. | | 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 | | | JOHNSON LIFTS, SCHINDLER TO SUPPLY VT FOR KMRL IN INDIA
Low bidders on India's Kochi Metro Rail Corp. (KMRL) vertical-transportation (VT) contracts, Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd. and Schindler India Pvt. Ltd. will provide an unspecified number of heavy-duty machine-room-less (MRL) elevators for KMRL's Kochi Metro Phase 2, outlets including Metro Rail Today report. Also known as the Pink Line, Phase 2 spans 11 km from JLN Stadium to Infopark II on the southwest coast of India and will feature 11 stations. Read more here
AGING VT EQUIPMENT TO BE REPLACED AT ILLINOIS AIRPORT
Aging vertical-transportation (VT) equipment — two escalators and two elevators — will be replaced at Willard Airport at the University of Illinois in Champaign County, Illinois, as persistent outages of units that date back to the airport's 1988 construction create headaches, Chicago Construction News reports. Replacing the problematic equipment is a priority of the airport terminal improvement program, with available funding enabling anticipated completion of the VT upgrades by 2028. 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 | | | MVRDV WINS DESIGN COMPETITION FOR NEW DUBAI SKYSCRAPER
MVRDV won a design competition for a new 210.6-m-tall residential/hotel tower in downtown Dubai by successfully responding to the specification that the new skyscraper "achieve iconic presence without resorting to spectacle," the Council on Vertical Urbanism reports. Inaura, which will house a 101-room hotel and 105 apartments, distinguishes itself with a "single, unexpected architectural gesture: a luminous, jewel-like ovoid structure embedded within the high rise at roughly three-quarters of its height." Read more here | | 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 2026 © Elevator World, Inc., 354 Morgan Avenue, Mobile, AL 36606, phone: 251-479-4514, www.elevatorworld.com. | | | | |
Comments
Post a Comment