| 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.
ELEVATOR WORLD ACCEPTING 2026 PEOPLE ISSUE NOMINATIONS
Nominations for EW's The People Issue 2026 are open until April 12. The June issue of EW will share stories of people who help shape the vertical-transportation (VT) industry. EW would like to highlight a diverse array of hard-working VT professionals who make an impact through the work they do for their companies, their communities and the industry. Nominations may be submitted through the online form. Only a select number of submissions will be featured in the June issue. | | 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 | | | | TKE ANNOUNCES NEW COO AND NEWLY CREATED CLO ROLE
TK Elevator (TKE) announced on March 23 that Brad Selleck has been appointed chief operating officer (COO), reporting to CEO Uday Yadav and filling a role previously held by Della Valle, who is retiring. At the same time, TKE announced the newly created role of chief legal officer (CLO), to which Lars Sjobring has been appointed. As COO, Selleck will oversee Operations, Global High-Rise P&L, Engineering, Supply Chain and Product Line management. Read more here
COLLEY TO HOST ELEVATOR 101 LUNCH AND LEARN WORKSHOP
Colley Elevator Co., headquartered in Bensenville, Illinois, plans to host its next Elevator 101 Lunch and Learn Workshop on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Moretti's in Morton Grove, Illinois. The event is designed to provide community associations and property managers with a better understanding of their elevator equipment. It is approved for 1 h of continuing-education credit for both Certified Manager of Community Associations and Certified Apartment Manager certifications. 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 | | | KONE STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN CHINA WITH MODERNIZATIONS
KONE is doubling down on the Chinese market with modernization and digitalization initiatives, China Daily reports. China is the company's largest single market, accounting for approximately 20% of KONE's global revenue, and hosts the company's largest overseas R&D center, where innovations in AI, Internet of Things and predictive maintenance are often tested and adopted. KONE's business in China has benefited from policy support, including "two new" initiatives and ultra-long special treasury bonds, which have unlocked new growth drivers, Joe Bao, president of KONE Greater China, said. Read more here
EAOF PLANS ORLANDO MEETING TO COINCIDE WITH IAEC FORUM
The Elevator Association of Florida (EAOF) plans to host its next meeting on May 7 in Orlando, Florida, to coincide with the International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC) Forum 2026. The Thursday meeting is set to start at 8:30 a.m. (preceded by coffee and continental breakfast at 7:30) until approximately 11:30 a.m. Presenters will include Vong Keovongsa of Elevator Services Group with "Performance Edge: From a Good Leader to an Exceptional One,"; Trey Edmonds of VDA, Inc., with "Elevator Modernization Engineering Requirements"; Ray Downs of TEI Group on safety; Daniel Baltzegar of Vantage on the NexusTM traction controller and MOVFR3 harmonic door operator; and Nicholas Hodges of Imperial/Nidec on machines and drives. Read more here | | | IN MEMORIAM: ALLAN HOPKIRK
Allan Hopkirk, who was past president and a lifetime member of the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association, passed away peacefully on March 11 at age 82. Hopkirk had a deep and enduring passion for the elevator industry. In 1987, he purchased Trident Elevator of Toronto, Ontario, and remained its devoted and active president until his passing. He never planned to retire, driven by both his love for the work and his genuine care for the people who worked alongside him. Hopkirk took great pride in this industry and in the relationships he built throughout his career. In addition to his work, his other great loves were his family, his cottage on Six Mile Lake and his time in Aruba. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; son, Braden; and granddaughter, Isla; along with many other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held on April 26 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario, from 2-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to McHappy Day® fundraising campaign would be much appreciated. | | 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 | | | | TEA'S 2ND MEETING COMING UP IN HOUSTON
The Texas Elevator Association (TEA) plans to hold its second meeting at the Houston Marriott Energy Corridor at 16011 Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas, on April 8 from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Daniel Baltzegar of Vantage is set to give opening remarks, followed by presentations from CED Elevator & Electrical on its power unit and CAT 6E traveling cable, Smartrise Engineering on its controllers, and Peelle on its freight and other elevator doors. Read more here
WASHINGTON STATE PASSES BILL ALLOWING SMALLER ELEVATORS
Lawmakers in Washington State passed SB 5156, which allows smaller elevators in buildings with up to 24 residential units or six stories, Sightline Institute is among outlets to report. A version greenlit by the Senate Housing Committee in 2025 directed the state Department of Labor & Industries to adjust elevator standards. The latest version, instead, directs the Washington Building Code Council to address the issue as part of its 2027 code update. The bill would legalize small elevators that still meet federal accessibility requirements for such buildings. Proponents point out that smaller elevators are common in places like Western Europe and East Asia, not to mention more affordable. Factors that play into the cost differential including higher labor costs, limited competition and certain U.S. elevators being required to accommodate not only a wheelchair user, but a full-sized stretcher. Trade organization the National Elevator Industry, Inc. worked with lawmakers to amend the bill's original language to avoid code-compliant issues related to the adoption of an international standard in a single jurisdiction, and at least one local International Union of Elevator Constructors chapter has spoken out against SB 5156, stating it skirts important safety issues. | | ACQUISITION STRENGTHENS MP LIFTS' PRESENCE IN ROMANIA
Spain-headquartered MP Lifts recently announced the acquisition of Bucharest-based Koppel Romania Ascensoare, a lift maintenance, modernization and repair company that will be integrated into the Romanian branch of MP Lifts, MP IFMA. The move strengthens MP IFMA's presence in the Romanian market and increases the density of its lift maintenance portfolio in Bucharest — the company's main operational hub in Romania — by adding approximately 300 elevators. Read more here
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC TO SUPPLY 96 VT UNITS FOR JAKARTA COMPLEX
Tokyo-headquartered Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced on March 19 it will supply vertical-transportation (VT) equipment (66 elevators and 30 escalators), air conditioners and hand dryers to Two Sudirman Jakarta, a massive new complex set to open in 2028 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The order was secured through two Mitsubishi Electric subsidiaries: PT Jaya Elevator and Escalator and PT Mitsubishi Electric Indonesia. The VT equipment includes 17 high-speed, 360 m/min elevators; 49 mid- to low-speed 240 m/min elevators; and 30 escalators that travel at 30 m/min. 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 | | | TKE LAUNCHES AI-POWERED SAFETY ASSISTANT OSHGENAI
TK Elevator (TKE) announced this month it has launched OSHGenAI, an AI-powered safety assistant that supports Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) professionals companywide. Developed in collaboration with ITHub Brazil, OSHGenAI breaks down language barriers to provide fast, reliable safety information to assist in decision-making for frontline leaders, OSH professionals and operational teams. "This launch marks a key milestone in our AI roadmap, strengthening our safety transformation by making life-saving knowledge accessible anytime, anywhere," TKE Senior Vice President of Global Risk, Governance and Assurance Rodrigo Gomes said. Read more here
AES OPENS ORLANDO DISTRIBUTION HUB AMID GROWING DEMAND
Access Elevator Supply, which has a manufacturing and distribution center in Chicago (through sister company Quality Elevator) and smaller distribution centers in San Francisco and Las Vegas, opened a new distribution hub in Orlando, Florida, on February 1, with a grand opening planned on April 21. AES Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Milefchik told ELEVATOR WORLD the company has seen the industry "shift from a stocking mentality to a contractor ordering what they need for a location and charging the jobs for materials." Read more here | | | RIGERT TREPPENLIFTE AG EXPANDS HOME ELEVATOR SERVICES
Rigert Treppenlifte AG, a leading Swiss mobility solutions provider with more than 60 years of experience and part of the Garaventa Group, has announced expanded installation services for residential elevators and platform lifts designed specifically for two-story homes throughout German, French and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland. The expansion addresses growing demand from Swiss homeowners seeking to enhance accessibility and maintain independence as they age in place. Read more here
KONE CEO SPEAKS ON IMPORTANCE OF CHINA'S FIVE-YEAR PLAN
During a presentation at the China Development Forum (CDF) 2026, held recently in Beijing, Philippe Delorme, president and CEO of KONE, said that China's 15th Five-Year Plan charts a clear course for future development amid a changing international landscape, adding that the plans "emphasis on urban renewal indicates greater demand for modernizing elevators, presenting strong growth potential for the company," People's Daily Online reports. Delorme said China is the "biggest market when it comes to elevators" and described the country as "an inexhaustible source of groundbreaking technology and a driving force for accelerating business going forward." He said KONE is willing to continue investing in China to support urban renewal and high-quality development. | | 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 | | | JAPAN'S FUJITEC LAUDED FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS FOCUS
Japan's Fujitec announced on March 10 it has been certified by the Japan Sports Agency as a "Sports Yell Company 2026," an honor recognizing companies that actively implement exercise and sports initiatives to improve employee health. "Going forward, we will continue to strive toward building a workplace environment where every employee can work with vitality and peace of mind in good physical health," Fujitec stated. Read more here
CHINESE CITY TO INSTALL OR UPGRADE MORE THAN 2,500 ELEVATORS
Authorities in Chongqing, China, plan to install or upgrade more than 2,500 elevators in 2026 to address mobility challenges, particularly for elderly residents living in the city's hilly areas, iChongqing reports. The city in Southwest-Central China has many hillside communities, including Hongxingtingpo in the Yuzhong District with a maximum elevation of 30 m and long flights of stairs that exceed 50 steps. 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 | | | IMPROVED LONDON DLR STATION BOASTS FIVE SCHINDLER VT UNITS
Transport for London's (TfL) Cutty Sark Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station, facilitating journeys to and from London's Greenwich town centre, reopened ahead of schedule on March 23 with upgrades that include five Schindler vertical-transportation (VT) units — four escalators and one lift, TfL reports. In addition to the new VT equipment, the modernized station includes new energy-efficient LED lighting, a new fire-detection system, raised ceilings and local artwork. Read more here
ALIMAK PUBLISHES 2025 REPORT
Alimak Group has published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2025. During 2025, Alimak Group continued to strengthen its position as a profitable and resilient industrial company despite a year marked by challenging market conditions. The Group continued to enhance operational efficiency while investing in people, product development and innovation. For the full year 2025, revenues reached SEK 6.9 billion (US$730 million), with an adjusted EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Amortization) margin of 17.4%. Since the launch of the New Heights program in 2020, the Group has evolved into a stronger and more resilient industrial company, delivering high profitability. The program is now entering the next phase, New Heights 2.0, which sets the direction for Alimak Group's development from 2026 to 2030. As part of this, the Group has also introduced new financial and sustainability targets, including an EBITA margin of 20% by 2028. | | IAEC Forum 2026 comes to Orlando, May 5–7. Join elevator consultants, industry leaders, and vendors for three days of education, networking, and collaboration at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Explore the vendor showcase and learn about sponsorship opportunities available for companies. https://www.iaec.org/events/iaec-forum-2026-orlando Advertisement | | | INVESTIGATION: DEFECTIVE DOOR INTERLOCK CAUSED CRUISE SHIP ELEVATOR DEATH
An investigation found that a defective door interlock mechanism was to blame for the death of an electrical technician crushed in an elevator shaft on a cruise ship in the U.K. in October 2025, USA Today is among outlets to report. The ship was en route from Southampton to the Canary Islands when the technician was testing a passenger elevator stopped on deck 11. When he tried to open the shaft doors on deck 12 to inspect the top of the car, the door-release key failed to operate, so he proceeded to deck 14 (there is no 13th deck) to open the doors from there. Read more here
DESIMONE MERGES WITH CED TO DEEPEN MULTIDISCIPLINARY PLATFORM
DeSimone Consulting Engineering, a global company founded in NYC in 1969 that provides vertical-transportation, structural engineering, façade consulting and more, announced on March 18 it has merged with Kansas-based Constructive Engineering Design (CED). Since its founding in 1992, CED has become a national leader in steel procurement, structural engineering, and fast-track services across the commercial, residential and institutional sectors. Recent projects with which CED has been involved include The One, Canada's tallest tower at 1,012 ft in Toronto and the 50-story 50 Hudson Yards in NYC. "Bringing CED under the DeSimone banner advances our strategy to build a comprehensive, multidisciplinary platform that further empowers us to meet our clients' evolving needs," DeSimone CEO and Chairman Stephen V. DeSimone, PE, said. With CED's expertise, he said, the consultancy will be able to enhance its offerings for project types ranging from data centers to advanced manufacturing facilities. | | 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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