| ELEVATOR WORLD's March 2026 Issue
 On the Cover: Accessing the Obelisk
Features: Al and the Elevator Industry; IEES 2025; Modernization Innovation...
Focus on Maintenance and Inspection: Finding a Better Way With Customers; Peelle Freight Elevator Doors (1927)...
Special Regional Section: South Florida: Positioned for Success; Elevator Cab Interiors in South Florida…
Columns: A Lifetime of Leadership; ISO/TC 178 Plenary Meeting...
| | Subscribe or log in here to read more than 5,000+ searchable articles, news briefs, blog posts and more. | | EW JUNE: THE PEOPLE ISSUE, FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
ELEVATOR WORLD's June 2026 issue will be The People Issue and focus on Environmental Issues (earthquake, flood and fire preparedness, pit cleaning, hydraulic oil disposal, building sway and more) with bonus distribution at the 2026 CECA Convention. The article submission deadline is April 15, and the advertising deadline is May 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.
TKE INDIA NAMES CEO
Ravikrishnan Srinivasan has been appointed CEO of TK Elevator (TKE) India, bringing more than three decades of global leadership experience in industrial automation, digital solutions and business operations, Tech Achieve Media is among outlets to report. Prior to joining TKE, Srinivasan spent more than eight years at Honeywell, most recently serving as vice president for Industrial Automation in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). Before that, he served as vice president and general manager for Emissions Management within Honeywell Connected Enterprise in Atlanta. 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&S M&R LEADERSHIP TEAM
U.K.-based Stannah Lifts Distribution and Service (LD&S) recently reinforced its Maintenance and Repair (M&R) leadership team with two strategic appointments: Diogo Martinho as Brackley branch manager and Aaron Emmerson as Gateshead branch manager. Prior to leading the Brackley branch, Martinho served as Brackley field service manager. He has more than a decade of hands-on engineering experience and a strong track record in operational delivery. Read more here
REGISTRATION FOR CECA CONVENTION NOW OPEN
The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) has announced that registration for the CECA Convention sponsored by Garaventa Lift and Richmond Elevator from June 15-18 is now open. The convention will take place at the Victoria Conference Centre, and the host hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton in Victoria. Participants are invited to visit the convention website for all the details for delegates, sponsorships, attendees, special events and more. | | 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 | | | REPORTS: KONE IN TALKS TO BUY RIVAL TKE
Finland-headquartered KONE is in talks to buy TK Elevator (TKE) as early as in "the coming weeks," Reuters is among outlets to report, citing Bloomberg. Private-equity owners of Germany-headquartered TKE, Advent International and Cinven, have been preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) since at least fall 2025, with the U.S. considered as a location. Recent volatility in equity markets have made a sale more appealing than an IPO, however. As they continue to look at a potential listing, Advent and Cinven seek a valuation of as much as EUR25 billion (US$28.8 billion), including debt, in any potential deal. KONE, TKE, Advent and Cinven all declined to comment, Reuters said.
ECNY TO HOST QEI RECERTIFICATION SEMINARS IN APRIL
Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) has announced more one-day educational seminars that will meet the requirements for "Annual Maintenance of Qualifications" for the 2026 renewal of QEI Certification. Note: A total of 10 h for 1.0 CEU will be provided for 2026. Attendees can attend the seminar titled "Code Update of the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators & Escalators" on either April 22 or April 23 at the Villa Barone Manor in Bronx, NY. Each seminar will be a full-day, 8-h program from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Read more here | | | SPAIN'S MP ELEVATORS ACQUIRES CZECH COMPANY VÝTAHY BESTLIFT
MP Elevators, a European company headquartered in Seville, Spain, with more than 1,200 employees and operations in more than 100 countries, on March 17 announced the acquisition of Czech company Výtahy Bestlift. "This step marks the beginning of a new chapter while preserving the company's strong local roots and family spirit," MP stated. With the addition of Výtahy Bestlift, MP Elevators' elevator portfolio in the Czech Republic increases to 500 units, reinforcing its position in Prague and continuing its expansion in Brno. Výtahy Bestlift will continue to operate as it is currently, maintaining close relationships with customers and its commitment to personalized service. "Supported by MP's technological expertise, engineering capabilities and international experience, the company is further strengthened to offer intelligent lifting solutions," MP observed.
51st POP/JOE GOLF OUTING PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 8
The 51st annual POP Frohlinger/Joe Marchese Memorial Invitational Outing, a popular golf event to benefit the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, will be held on September 8 at the Brookville Country Club in Glen Head, New York. The all-day event includes golf, breakfast, lunch and a cocktail hour/awards dinner. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Joel Frohlinger at email. | | Decades Of Industry Experience Goes Into Every Nidec Elevator Product. Nidec Elevator jack and power unit modernization packages provide a complete, dependable upgrade for aging hydraulic systems. With precision-built replacement jacks, including weldless cylinder couplings, and high-performance hydraulic power units, Nidec Elevator delivers solutions designed to reduce installation time, improve job site safety, and ensure consistent, reliable operation. Contractors gain the advantage of faster installations, dependable equipment, and fewer callbacks, while building owners benefit from smoother performance and extended system life. At Nidec Elevator, modernization isn't just about replacing parts it is about delivering smarter systems built on decades of real-world elevator expertise. www.nidecelevatorgroup.com Advertisement | | | | EW WELCOMES MACKINNON AS EDUCATION SALES EXECUTIVE
ELEVATOR WORLD recently welcomed Eli MacKinnon, a fourth-generation member of the EW family, as education sales executive. MacKinnon holds a BA in business administration and management from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. In his new role, he supports the sales and delivery of EW's educational materials, CET and CAT programs and other publications, and assists with reviewing continuing-education content and elevator competency exams. Prior to his current position, MacKinnon worked as a student intern at EW and in marine construction in the Mobile, Alabama area. A resident of Mobile, MacKinnon is the son of EW President T. Bruce MacKinnon, the grandson of EW Editor-at-Large/Publisher Ricia Sturgeon Hendrick and the great-grandson of late EW founder William C. Sturgeon. His interests include environmental preservation, hunting and dogs. "I am honored to be a part of EW, and I am looking forward to learning more about the industry," MacKinnon said. | | SOUTHWEST ELEVATOR WELCOMES TAMPA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Southwest Elevator Co. recently welcomed Claire Fernandez as business development manager for the Tampa, Florida, market. She will play a key role in helping expand the Southwest brand throughout the market, creating new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. Fernandez joins Southwest Elevator from account management roles at ADP and TK Elevator, in the Tampa and Fort Lauderdale markets, respectively. Read more here
ZIEHL-ABEGG ELEVATOR MOTOR NOMINATED FOR HERMES AWARD
Ziehl-Abegg's newly developed elevator motor has been nominated for the Hermes Award 2026, one of the most respected honors in global industry, Machine Maker reports. This is the first time Ziehl-Abegg has been shortlisted for this award. Ziehl-Abegg's nominated innovation is an electric synchronous elevator motor that operates without rare-earth magnets. The motor replaces these materials with ferrite magnets, which are widely available worldwide, and the motor delivers the same output and efficiency as existing rare-earth-based systems while maintaining identical dimensions. Read more here | | 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 | | | SPECIALIZED ELEVATOR WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SALES
Specialized Elevator, headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, announced it has named Michael Curtis as its new national sales director. Curtis has deep experience in the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, having held national account leadership roles at TK Elevator where he managed and developed key commercial relationships and national customers in the Boston area. Curtis began his VT industry career as an elevator apprentice at Halley Elevator Co. in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Read more here
KONE LIFT DATA: LONDONERS ARE RETURNING TO THE OFFICE
Data from KONE, which has monitored more than one billion lift journeys in 10 cities in seven countries over the past five years, shows Londoners are returning to the office faster than their European counterparts, The Times reports. The work-from-home trend brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is clearly reversing course in London, which was one of only two cities — the other is Paris — where year-on-year growth accelerated in 2025 versus 2024. In London, lifts were 11% more active in January 2026 than in January 2025. In Paris, that number was 8%. Read more here | | | HYPRLIFT SIGNS MoU WITH AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS
U.A.E.-based Azizi Developments has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyprlift, a U.S.-based innovator in advanced vertical-transportation systems, to explore the potential application of ropeless elevator systems within selected Dubai developments, Trade Arabia reports. Under the deal, the two parties will undertake technical studies, integration planning and feasibility assessments to evaluate end-to-end requirements from design and installation through testing, commissioning, operations and ongoing maintenance. Read more here
CECA CONSTRUCTION HOIST MEETING ON APRIL 1
All Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) members are invited to attend the next CECA Construction Hoist meeting on April 1 at Durham College in Ontario, Canada. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. EST. There will be a meet and greet with all graduating Durham College students at 4 p.m. sharp followed by the Central Region (CR) meeting. Members are asked to sign in and select a ticket to RSVP for the Construction Hoist meeting and sign up separately for the CR meeting. | | Get to know the Belted Gearless Range by MONTANARI NORTH AMERICA: the unique Belted traction machines for US elevators' modernizations and new installations. Make your inquiry to get Made in Italy quality, CSA certified, and unparalleled Engineering! Advertisement | | | BUSY INDIAN RAILWAY STATION GETTING NEW VT AND SECURITY
Tatanagar Railway Station, the main railway station serving Jamshedpur, a major industrial city in eastern India, is getting new vertical-transportation (VT) equipment and better security protocols, outlets including The Avenue Mail report. Equipped with six platforms and handling approximately 100 trains each day, Tatanagar Railway Station is getting one new escalator each at platforms 1 and 5, as well as an unspecified number of lifts throughout the facility in 2026. Read more here
ESCALATOR OUTAGES AT BERLIN DB STATION SPARK OUTRAGE
As of March 13, 35 of the 52 KONE escalators at Deutsche Bahn's (DB) Berlin Central Station — one of Europe's largest and newest interchanges that handles approximately 300,000 passengers daily — have been deemed defective and taken out of service, a situation sparking outrage from passengers, DB and city officials, Euro News is among outlets to report. Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner "expects DB to rectify the problems with the escalators in Berlin as quickly as possible." Read more here | | HILTI ELEVATOR SEGMENT With 20 years of elevator industry experience and presence in 120+ countries, we're here to help you improve safety, productivity and sustainability throughout every phase from design to installation and from maintenance to modernization. See our Efficient Way Up-video and visit www.hilti.group for local contact details. Advertisement | | | MOLDOVA TO UPDATE 40 RESIDENTIAL ELEVATORS AS PART OF PILOT PROGRAM
Forty elevators in residential buildings across Moldova will be modernized as part of a national pilot program aiming to replace old and technically outdated equipment, IPN reports. Homeowners' associations will be able to submit projects for the modernization of elevators, and the selection will consider the technical condition of the equipment, the degree of wear and tear, and the presence of vulnerable residents. The project aims to increase safety, improve accessibility and reduce operating costs and energy consumption. Read more here
WORLD'S LONGEST MOUNTAIN ESCALATOR UNVEILED IN CHINA
The world's longest mountain escalator was unveiled to much fanfare near Chongqing, China, as Chinese New Year celebrations got underway at the end of February, outlets including Zamin reported. Easing accessibility for the many residents who must traverse the mountain terrain to work, shop or go to school, the Wushan Goddess Escalator spans 905 m and ascends 242 m (equivalent to an 80-story building). It reduces travel time from 1 h or more to only 20 min. Read more here | | G-TECH ELEVATORS FOR NEW BROOKLYN, NY, BUILDING
G-Tech Elevators tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided a vertical-transportation system consisting of four overhead traction elevators for 85 4th Avenue, a new 13-story mixed-use building in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY. Each making 20 stops with 3500-lb capacity, the units travel at speeds of 350 to 500 ft/min. All elevators have BTS Elevator Package packages with GAL door equipment, Imperial machines, Hollister-Whitney fixtures and Elevator Controls controllers. Ahead of anticipated completion in the summer, New York YIMBY previously reported that 85 4th Avenue was designed by James Shannon of Strekte Corp. for Harry Einhorn under 85 4th Avenue LLC. Its 176,757 ft2 will house 193 rental units, 5,415 ft2 of commercial space and 1,996 ft2 of community space. There will also be a cellar level and 79 enclosed parking spaces. A diagram of the building shows a ring of balconies from floors two through nine and setbacks starting at the 10th floor.
PANORAMIC ELEVATOR OPENS IN BRUSSELS
A new panoramic lift connecting the Mont des Arts to the rooftop of the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) in Brussels was inaugurated on March 11, promising visitors an "immersive experience," The Brussels Times reports. The lift ride is also designed as an auditory experience. During the ascent, visitors are accompanied by voices, music and sounds reflecting the cultural diversity of Brussels. This immersive experience continues on the rooftop, where an interactive installation invites visitors to discover different facets of the capital. Read more here | | EN Elevator Design: Calculations for Designing to the EN Market. This new book written by Serdar Tavaslioğlu offers 15 chapters covering key aspects of elevator design under the EN code. Blending code references, calculations, case studies, and field insights, the 240-page book addresses topics from safety gears and guide rails to MRL systems. Order 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 2026 © Elevator World, Inc., 354 Morgan Avenue, Mobile, AL 36606, phone: 251-479-4514, www.elevatorworld.com. | | | | |
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