| ELEVATOR WORLD's April 2026 Issue
 On the Cover: From Aesthetics to Code Compliance
Features: A Recalibration in Global Tall-Building Development; The Glen...
Focus on Fixtures: Twenty-Five Years of Evolution; Life-Changing Fixtures...
Columns: Resilient, Strong and Independent; Trust but Verify; IUEC Local 124...
| | 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. | | 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 | | | | OTIS TO LAUNCH TRAINING PROGRAM IN CHINA
Otis will partner with the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) to integrate its Otis Technical Academy (OTA) into the foundation's vocational education initiative "For the Future," the Connecticut-based firm said at the 2026 China Development Forum, Yicai Global reports. The OTA has trained more than 4,500 elevator professionals since its launch in 2016. The program will first launch in southern China, aiming to train more than 800 elevator technicians a year, with plans to expand nationwide. CDRF will oversee operations and academic credentials, while Otis will provide funds, equipment, training materials and specialized instructors. Read more here
HYUNDAI EARNS RECOGNITION FOR ESG EFFORTS
Hyundai Elevator has received an A grade in the 2026 ESG Rating Assessment conducted by the global environmental, social and governance (ESG) evaluation agency Morgan Stanley Capital International, marking an improvement of one level from its previous BBB rating, The Asia Business Daily reports. In a corporate sustainability assessment by global rating agency S&P Global, the company scored 59 points — an increase of seven points from the previous year — ranking first among global elevator companies. 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 | | | SCHINDLER NAMES HELLER U.S. OPERATIONS COO
Schindler on March 31 announced Jeremiah Heller as chief operating officer (COO) for U.S. Operations, filling a role most recently held by Paul Bloom, who is retiring effective July 1. To ensure a smooth transition, Heller will work closely with Bloom, who has more than 30 years in the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, including 14 with Schindler. Most recently serving as Schindler senior vice president for the U.S. West, Heller brings nearly 20 years' VT industry experience to his new role. Heller joined Schindler in 2012 as a district manager before serving as field operational director, and later as managing director (MD) of Schindler Olayan Elevator Co. in Saudi Arabia. In 2019, he transitioned to Jardine Schindler as MD of the Philippines, where he successfully led an operations turnaround. Heller was then appointed MD for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and served on the Jardine Schindler Executive Committee. In his new role, he will oversee all U.S. operations from U.S. headquarters in Morristown, N.J.
AUSTRALIA'S AEA FORMALLY RE-LAUNCHES AS AAVT
The entity formerly known as the Australian Elevator Association (AEA) has officially re-launched as the Australian Association for Vertical Transport (AAVT), "reflecting the sector's growth and increasing regulatory and technical complexity," AAVT announced on March 15. The new identity, according to AAVT, recognizes the broader scope of modern vertical transportation (VT) across Australia's built environment, including lifts, escalators, moving walks, engineering, consultancy and compliance. Read more here | | | ATTA ELEVATORS LAUNCHES PHILADELPHIA BRANCH
ATTA Elevators, a rapidly growing elevator service provider with operations across North America, on March 24 announced the opening of its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, branch, being led by Andrew Vogel. ATTA said its expansion into Philadelphia comes in response to increasing demand from building owners, property managers and consultants "seeking a more responsive, hands-on service partner." Vogel joins ATTA from TK Elevator, where he spent nearly 12 years in leadership roles including general manager, sales manager and account manager. Read more here
30th WEE EXPO TO BE HELD IN CHINA MAY 20-23
The World Elevator & Escalator Expo (WEE Expo) will hold its 30th edition on May 20-23 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China. The three-day event will focus on elevators, elevator components, parking equipment and digital building systems and feature more than 1,100 exhibitors in 120,000 m2 of exhibition space. Organizers say the expo has achieved steady growth over the past three decades and are anticipating more than 100,000 visitors to the 2026 expo. Registration to attend or exhibit is available online. | | 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 | | | | CANADIAN ATIS SUBSIDIARY KJA ACQUIRES ALBERTA'S VINSPEC
Private-equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP) on March 31 announced Canada-based ATIS subsidiary KJA has acquired Vinspec, which has developed a strong reputation for delivering comprehensive vertical-transportation (VT) consulting and inspection services throughout Alberta and across Canada. With this addition, KJA further expands its capabilities in Alberta while maintaining its core values of independence, technical excellence and client-first service, TSCP observed. Headquartered in Toronto, KJA is Canada's largest provider of VT consulting and managed services. It serves clients from coast to coast, delivering rigorous guidance for elevators, escalators and related systems. KJA states it is "committed to long-term client outcomes through deep expertise, advanced tools and a national platform that supports building owners across all of Canada."
JAPAN'S FUJITEC AGAIN LAUDED FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH FOCUS
On the heels of being recognized by the Japan Sports Agency for its employee health initiatives, Fujitec has been honored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Council) for being a "2026 Outstanding Organization of KENKO Investment for Health," Fujitec announced on March 25. This marks the fourth consecutive year Fujitec has earned the certification. As part of its Declaration on Health, Fujitec has held training seminars for women on breast health and menopause, in turn achieving a nearly 14% year-on-year increase in gynecological exam screening rates. Read more here | | MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT'S RIPPLE EFFECTS EXTEND TO ELEVATORS
At the one-month mark, conflict in the Middle East is causing ripple effects that extend far beyond the region and into everyday life around the world, including, in some cases, elevators, The Times of India reports. "What began as a confrontation between Iran and Israel is increasingly disrupting global supply chains, pushing up costs and forcing governments and individuals to adjust," the source observed. Trade and energy markets have become unsettled, with farmers scaling back production and energy use being curbed as concerns grow over oil and gas supply disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Read more here
SCHINDLER CEO: KONE, TKE MERGER WOULD BE A "BLOODBATH"
In a very short piece published on March 24, Reuters said Schindler CEO Paolo Compagna told the outlet the Swiss OEM would be ready to challenge a merger between rivals TK Elevator (TKE) and KONE before antitrust authorities. The merger, Compagna said, would be a "'bloodbath' bound to disrupt the industry, as the world's third- and fourth- largest lift manufacturers would need to fit together overlapping customer bases, production sites and teams." 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 | | | NEW YORK BUILD 2026 EXAMINED AI, CONVERSIONS, SUSTAINABILITY AND MORE
New York Build 2026 was held on March 18-19 at the Javits Center in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, concluding as a major industry event that brought together more than 45,000 professionals, 550 speakers and 600 exhibitors to focus on NYC's future construction, sustainable design (Local Law 97) and AI integration. Among vertical-transportation companies exhibiting were Champion Elevator, Dynasty Elevator, Liberty Elevator Corp., Nouveau Elevator, Schindler and Start Elevator. Key themes included net-zero materials, smart cities and diverse networking. Read more here
HYUNDAI ELEVATOR ANNOUNCES MODULAR ELEVATOR FOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced it has recently constructed a modular elevator through technical cooperation with Hyundai Elevator at the Hillstate Songdo Center Park site located in Dongchun-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea, and is soon to install and test-run a machine room, Maeil Business reports. Modular elevators are pre-manufactured and then assembled and installed on-site. The elevator installed at Songdo Center Park is a high-rise, high-speed elevator for 16 passengers (1200 kg of rated load), and it took only two days to bring the major structures pre-assembled at the factory to the site and stack them. The simplified work takes approximately a month to adjust, finish and test-run, which can shorten the construction period by 40 days. Another benefit is the reduction in high-rise work and firearm work, such as welding inside narrow platforms after finishing the frame. This increases worker safety and is expected to contribute to quality improvement by increasing product precision and reducing quality deviations. | | | OTIS INTRODUCES VIVA MOBILITY SOLUTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS
Otis recently unveiled its new VivaTM solutions for new and existing buildings designed to promote safe, reliable mobility for older adults while benefiting all passengers. Showcased at the MIPIM real estate exhibition in Cannes, France, earlier this year, Viva solutions are designed to support longer, more independent and active living. Coming standard with new Otis Gen3TM and Gen360TM elevators, the solutions include easier entry and exit points, improved lighting, clear audiovisual signals and handrails for added stability. Read more here
TKE TO JOIN MICROSOFT AT HANNOVER MESSE IN GERMANY
TK Elevator (TKE) announced it will join Microsoft at Hannover Messe 2026 on April 20-24 for the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany. TKE Chief Digital Officer Matthias Gohl and Europe-Africa CEO Bora Gülan will be on hand to talk about how AI-powered digital innovation can transform the vertical-transportation industry. Dedicated press tours will be available on all three days, as well as one-on-one executive interviews throughout Hannover Messe. Read more here | | 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 | | | SCHINDLER INDIA ANNOUNCES NEW ELEVATOR INTERIOR DESIGN OPTIONS
Schindler announced on March 26 that a new range of elevator interior design options — Schindler Designs — has been optimized specifically for India, aimed at setting "a new standard for interior aesthetics, empowering architects, designers and business owners to reimagine the vertical-transportation experience with unparalleled style and sophistication." Within these themes, designers have access to a range of additional options in India, including color palettes that reflect regional preferences and wall finishings such as laminate, steel, glass and ceramic. Read more here
ELEVATOR REPLACED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE THRILLS CANADIAN SENIORS
A more than CAD245,000 (US$175,886) project to replace an elevator at a three-story apartment building for seniors in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada, has been completed one month ahead of schedule, thrilling residents who rely on the unit for accessibility, Inside Ottawa Valley reports. The building is owned by the Carleton Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corp., with the board overseeing its operations. Read more here | | The new SEES catalog is coming soon. With expanded sections, thousands of new parts, and updated listings across our full lineup, it's built to make finding what you need easier than ever. Pre-orders will be available this May. Advertisement | | | CHICAGO BUILD TO RETURN TO MCORMICK PLACE IN OCTOBER
Organizers of Chicago Build 2026, the Midwest's largest construction and design tradeshow, say the event will return to McCormick Place, just south of downtown Chicago on the lakefront, on October 28-29. Tens of thousands of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals are expected to attend. The exhibitor list is still growing, with CEDES, offering advanced sensor technologies and more for the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, and Nouveau Elevator of Illinois, offering VT maintenance, modernization, engineering and design, already slated to host stands. Read more here
OTIS BRAZIL-SPONSORED ELEVATOR EMUSEUM LAUNCHED
On March 23, World Elevator Day, the Elevator eMuseum, a free publicly accessible platform, launched. Dedicated to the history of an invention that transformed modern cities — from the first lifting mechanisms to today's AI-connected vertical-transportation (VT) systems — the project was conceived by professor Bianca Gama Pena and sponsored by Otis Brazil through Brazil's Federal Culture Incentive Law. Visitors to the eMuseum can create a personal avatar and virtually explore two floors of a digital building, moving through historical milestones that span ancient VT systems. Read more here | | 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 | | | HISTORIC MAINE BUILDING TO RECEIVE NEW ELEVATOR
Stonington, Maine's Connectivity Hub and Small Business Center — in the historic, 1905-built former Stonington Elementary School Building — will receive a new three-story elevator, Island-Ad-Vantages reported. The work is possible due to a US$1.8 million grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority's Connectivity Hubs program with technical assistance from the Island Institute and is one of nine specially designed facilities across the state of Maine. 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 | | | TWO MID-AMERICAN ELEVATORS FOR MTA DEBUT IN MANHATTAN
The NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently unveiled two modernized elevators manufactured and installed by Chicago's Mid-American Elevator at subway stations in Manhattan: Lexington/53rd Street and Canal Street. As of April, the MTA had completed three elevator replacements so far in 2026 following a record 39 replacements in 2025 — more than double the previous record of 16 set in 2021. Work included full replacement of elevator cabs and associated equipment within the cabs, shafts and pits, as well as full replacement of all machine room, electrical and mechanical equipment. New elevator head houses and glass canopies at street level were also installed. Lexington/53rd Street serves more than 47,500 weekday riders, and Canal Street serves approximately 37,200 riders each weekday. MTA currently has elevator replacement projects underway in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. | | Coast to Coast Choices, Quality & Solutions. After more than 50 years, Innovation Industries has become one of North America's leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of elevator push buttons and fixtures. Made in the USA, Innovation products meet any spec or application for any market…from coast to coast. 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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