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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...
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EW JULY 2026 TO FOCUS ON MOTORS AND DRIVES
ELEVATOR WORLD’s July 2026 issue will focus on Motors and Drives. The article submission deadline is May 15, and the advertising deadline is June 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.
14TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST OPEN, DEADLINE MAY 15
Submissions are open for ELEVATOR WORLD’s 2026 Photo Contest until May 15. This year’s categories include Projects In Action, Elevators/Lifts (Commercial), Elevators/Lifts (Private Residence), Escalators & Moving Walkways, Machines & Components, City Skylines and Tall Buildings, Historical/Legacy Equipment (pre-1965), Company Factories/Facilities, Hoistways and Industry Art/Illustrations (including sketches, blueprints, digital, AI and other). The nomination period will be followed by public voting, and winners will be featured in our August 2026 issue. Video submissions can be submitted for any category and links can be shared from any of the following platforms: YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitch, Wistia, Vidyard, BitChute and Mixcloud. Send us your best shots and be published in EW! We look forward to viewing the elevator world through your unique lens. Please email with any questions.
SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR THE EW PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Submissions are now being accepted for the ELEVATOR WORLD 29th Annual Project of the Year Awards. We are seeking submissions of projects featuring vertical, horizontal or inclined transportation systems with an innovative design, special application or approach that solved a major problem or overcame a unique challenge. Projects will be judged on innovation, originality and creativity, challenges overcome, installation methods and techniques and use of advanced technology, as well as overall quality of presentation. This year’s categories are Elevators, New Construction; Elevators, Modernization; Escalators, New Construction; Escalators, Modernization; Moving Walks; Inclined Elevators; Platform Lifts & Stairway Chairlifts; Private-Residence Elevators; and Special-Purpose Lifts. All entries will be judged and categorized as received by an impartial panel of experienced industry experts and professionals. Winning entries will be published in the January 2027 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD. Winners in each category will be acknowledged with an award of recognition. The submission deadline is September 2. |
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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
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KONE AND TKE TO COMBINE, WITH KONE ACQUIRING ALL OF TKE
KONE announced on April 29 it has entered into an agreement with a consortium led by Advent and Cinven, through holding company Topco I S.A., to combine KONE and TKE in a cash and share transaction, bringing together two global elevator and escalator companies. Under the agreement, KONE “would acquire the entire issued share capital of Topco I S.A., which holds all assets of TK Elevator GmbH and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.” Subject to regulatory approval and approval during an Extraordinary Meeting of KONE expected to be convened in June, the transaction “brings together two exceptional global businesses with highly complementary geographic footprints and innovation platforms,” KONE stated. “The combination would offer substantial value creation from realized synergies, estimated to be approximately EUR700 million (US$818.9 million) on an annual run-rate basis, benefitting customers and shareholders alike.” Based on the last financial year, the combined group would have approximately EUR20.5 billion (US$23.9 billion) in annual adjusted earnings, “excluding synergies,” and approximately 3.2 million units under maintenance. Current KONE CEO Philippe Delorme would lead the combined group, with Ilkka Hara as chief financial officer. Antti Herlin would remain as chairman of the Board of Directors with ownership representing more than 50% of voting rights. |
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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
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LEIA APPOINTS NEW LEADERSHIP FOR PLG
Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), headquartered in London, on April 23 announced the appointment of Andrew Harper, group CEO of Gartec, and Edward Moore, managing director of Alliance Platform Lifts, as chair and deputy chair, respectively, of the association's Personal Lift Group (PLG). The PLG meets three times a year to address issues relating to stairlifts, home lifts and lifting platforms while providing input into LEIA's wider work across technical standards, safety, education and training. Read more here
“OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM” BUOYS SCHINDLER DESPITE CHALLENGES
In the first quarter (1Q), Schindler “maintained strong operational momentum, driving margin expansion with operating cash flow at a high level,” CEO Paolo Compagna said in an April 23 press release on the Swiss lift maker’s 1Q 2026 earnings. Schindler’s Earnings Before Interest and Taxes margin — the profitability ratio indicating how well a company manages core business costs — increased 13% to CHF337 million (US$430.1 million), driven primarily by operational efficiencies, pricing adjustments and changes in the product mix. Read more here
CALL FOR PAPERS FOR IEES IN AMSTERDAM ON DECEMBER 10-11
Liftinstituut B.V. and Elevator World, Inc., organizers of the International Elevator & Escalator Symposium (IEES) planned on December 10-11 at Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, Netherlands, have issued a call for papers on the topic “Passenger Experience, Access, Design and Safety.” Those planning to exhibit or attend can book now for an early-bird discount. Potential speakers must submit an abstract related to the symposium theme. Read more here |
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EFESME AND ELA HOST EUROPE ELEVATOR SAFETY EVENT
The European Federation for Elevator Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EFESME) and the European Lift Association (ELA) hosted European Elevator Safety Day (EESD) on April 28. An online event, EESD is a dedicated initiative aimed at promoting a shared and proactive safety culture across the European sector, bringing together institutions, industry stakeholders, SMEs, experts and social partners. Read more here
STANNAH’S JOYA STAIRLIFT WINS RED DOT DESIGN AWARD
Andover, U.K.-headquartered Stannah recently announced its JOYA stairlift won a Red Dot Award for product design in the 2026 international competition. The award, Stannah observed, recognizes how accessibility products can be both highly functional and beautifully designed. JOYA boasts a compact profile and materials carefully considered to minimize visual impact. Key design features include a forward-facing folding mechanism; a sculpted, deep ergonomic seat with an inclined backrest; intuitive controls; subtle lighting; and gentle audio feedback. Read more here
OTIS FIRST QUARTER IMPACTED BY MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Otis Worldwide said on April 22 its new equipment sales were impacted by tariff pressures and shipment delays in the first quarter due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, BNN Bloomberg is among outlets to report. The company also forecast annual adjusted profit below Wall Street estimates, anticipating weak demand for new elevators and escalators due to companies experiencing tariff uncertainty and geopolitical instability. Read more here |
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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
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CECA EASTERN REGION MEETING COMING UP IN MONTREAL
The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) reminds interested parties to register for the Eastern Region meeting on May 6 at the Royal Versailles at 7200 Sherbrooke Street East in Montreal, Quebec. Open to all CECA members and their guests (limited to one), the meeting starts at 4:15 p.m. EST and will consist of an update on implementation of the Maintenance Control Program and the B44-2019 code in Quebec, followed by a meeting with students from École des métiers du Sud-Ouest-de-Montréal (EMSOM). Many employers, EMSOM students, unions and, possibly, manufacturers will be present. The goal is to discuss the elevator mechanic profession, and EMSOM students will have the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs in an effort to become summer apprentice mechanics.
JOHNSON LIFTS ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN TOSHIBA JOHNSON ELEVATORS (INDIA)
Johnson Lifts (JLPL), India’s largest manufacturer of elevators and escalators, announced that it has increased its equity stake in Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) (TJEI) to over 80%, becoming the majority shareholder, the Business Standard reports. This development marks a significant milestone in the 14-year-old collaboration between JLPL and Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp. (TELC). Japanese major TELC will continue as a valued strategic partner in the joint venture. Read more here |
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ASCENT ELEVATORS ACQUIRES PHILADELPHIA’S TRIAD LIFTS
Ascent Elevators, a Delaware-based provider of vertical-transportation solutions across the Midwest and Atlantic, announced on April 21 the acquisition of Triad Lifts LLC, a respected commercial elevator service company based in Philadelphia. Maven Group, which facilitated the deal on behalf of Triad, said the acquisition "significantly expands Ascent Elevators' footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region, strengthening its service capabilities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and south Jersey." Read more here
NCRTC-DEVELOPED AI SYSTEM DETECTS ENTRAPMENTS, FACILITATES FASTER RESPONSE
India’s National Capital Region Transport Corp. (NCRTC) has introduced an AI-powered system that can detect elevator entrapments at Namo Bharat stations within 60 s and trigger an emergency response, mint reports. Developed in-house by the NCRTC, the system uses AI-enabled camera analytics to monitor lift enclosures and identify emergencies in real time, sending alerts to the Namo Bharat Operations Control Centre through integrated communication channels, including instant messages. Read more here
HYUNDAI LAUNCHES PARTNER SAFETY PROGRAM
Hyundai Elevator held a launch ceremony for its "2026 Large and Small Business Cooperation Program" at its Chungju Smart Campus in South Korea on April 21, establishing a joint safety management system with partner firms and related agencies, the Seoul Economic Daily reports. During the ceremony, participants jointly affirmed their commitment to achieving "zero serious accidents” and extended the initiative to partner companies. Read more here |
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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
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DIGITAL FACILITIES AWARDED FIVE-YEAR TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT
Digital Facilities Corp. (DFC), which offers a modular Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for building enclosure and specialized asset areas (including elevator systems), recently announced it has been awarded a five-year technology agreement under the MC15-G28 Contract to provide VTPro™ SaaS for elevator management for members of the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC). MHEC is a group purchasing cooperative with 2,700 members throughout New England, including higher-education institutions, municipalities, K-12 schools, libraries and other educational nonprofits that can access MHEC's publicly bid contracts. Under the agreement, MHEC members will receive discounted subscription rates for VTPro, developed by Boston-based DFC for managing, inspecting and assessing elevators, escalators and other people-moving systems.
TÜV SÜD SOUTH ASIA APPOINTS AJAY MARSHAL HEAD VT SYSTEMS SOUTH ASIA & GM BD LCC
Ajay Marshal has been appointed head of Vertical-Transportation (VT) Systems South Asia and general manager, Business Development | LCC at TÜV SÜD South Asia. In this role, he will lead the company’s strategic growth agenda for VT systems across the region, with a sharp focus on safety, compliance and operational reliability. With over a decade of experience in the VT sector, Marshal brings deep expertise in VT systems, safety advocacy, industry standards and infrastructure-focused business development. Read more here |
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You pay attention to every detail to keep every ride operating as it should. So do we. At ADAMS Elevator, we do our part to deliver what you need to maintain safe, reliable performance, and stay ahead of evolving standards. So the ride remains exactly as it should be—unnoticed by your passengers. Let’s partner. Visit us at adamselevator.com. Advertisement
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EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK LENDS MONEY TO KONE FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €250 million (US$292 million) to KONE to support R&D, innovation and the development of next-generation elevators, escalators, moving walks and intelligent digital solutions, The European Sting reports. The loan will support KONE’s research and innovation program from 2026 to 2029. The activities focus on improving safety and performance and energy efficiency in elevators and escalators. Read more here
OTIS SELECTED BY RTM IN FRANCE TO REPLACE 51 ESCALATORS
Otis has been selected by the Marseille Metropolitan Transport Authority (Régie des Transports Métropolitains [RTM]) in France to fully replace and maintain 51 escalators across 10 metro stations, Otis Chair, CEO and President Judy Marks said during an earnings conference call on April 22.The scope includes installation of 35 heavy-duty escalators and 16 additional escalators engineered for the most demanding environments. Read more here
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Need a powerful way to reach key decision-makers in the UK elevator industry? ELEVATOR WORLD UK is the trusted B2B publication for elevator industry professionals who rely on us for industry insights, market trends, and business solutions. Reserve your ad in our Q2 issue by May 1 to showcase your products and/or services. Contact us at: advertising@elevatorworld.com Advertisement
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NIDEC COMPONENT EXPO 2026 ANNOUNCED
Nidec India, in a LinkedIn post, announced the Nidec Component Expo 2026, a platform for component manufacturers and suppliers to experience the components, understand Nidec’s diverse product portfolio and explore long‑term partnership. The expo will be held on May 13–15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Orchard Hub, Dharwad. Nidec Corp., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is the world’s leading electric motor manufacturer. Nidec’s Motion & Energy Business Unit provides products and solutions under two platforms, namely Motion and Energy. The Motion platform has three business segments, and all three are present in India. The Energy platform also has three business segments, and two are present in India.
ELEVATOR CORES GOING UP AT TPA’S NEW TERMINAL
Six precast concrete cores forming shafts for 11 of the 15 elevators at Tampa International Airport’s (TPA) future Airside D are being put into place on the worksite. These elevator cores will be the main arteries of movement between the main floor’s aircraft gates and passenger facilities, the ground-level U.S. Customs facility and the mezzanine level. Four more elevators will be built within the second-floor steel framing, which is scheduled to start being erected in May. Read more here |
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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
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DESIMONE AUGMENTS FORENSIC TEAM WITH ADDITION OF SEASONED SPECIALIST
DeSimone Consulting Engineering, a global company founded in NYC in 1969, on April 23 announced the addition of Joelle Nelson, PE, as principal in its consulting engineering practice. Based in NYC, Nelson is a recognized leader in forensic engineering with more than 20 years' experience in structural investigation, design and litigation support for high-profile, multi-million-dollar disputes. Nelson will provide expert witness services and play a critical role in shaping clients' pre-litigation and litigation strategy. Read more here
OTIS TO SUPPLY 46 VT UNITS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF ACC IN TEXAS
Otis will supply 46 vertical-transportation (VT) units for the redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center (ACC) in Austin, Texas, Otis Chair, CEO and President Judy Marks said during an earnings conference call on April 22. The ACC is undergoing a US$1.6-billion redevelopment designed by LMN Architects that will transform it into a larger, vertically oriented facility. Read more here |
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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.
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