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ELEVATOR WORLD’s July 2026 Issue
 On the Cover: Otis Smart Elevators for Modern Urban Villiage in Tokyo
Features: IAEC Forum 2026; IUEC Global Safety Summit; ECNY Supplier Showcase 26...
Focus on Motors and Drives: The BRUsystem; Troubleshooting Electric Motors and VFDs in Elevator Applications
Columns: ISO 8100 and Beyond; ESCO Elevators, Inc., Part Two; Riding the EV Wave...
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EW SEPTEMBER 2026 TO FOCUS ON HOISTWAY TOOLS, COMPONENTS AND PRODUCTS
ELEVATOR WORLD’s September 2026 issue will focus on Hoistway Tools, Components and Products (guide rails, ropes, roller guides, pit ladders, false cars, lights and more). A Special Section will feature the NAEC Convention Preview with bonus distribution at NAEC and The Elevator Show. The advertising deadline is August 3. 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.
ENTER THE 2026 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD CONTEST
ELEVATOR WORLD’S sixth annual Product of the Year Award recognizes outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers whose products are considered particularly noteworthy or innovative. The product(s) should represent any of the following qualities: a significant advancement in a technology or its application, an exceptionally innovative design, a substantial achievement in price/performance, improvements in design performance and a potential for new product designs/opportunities. To learn more about how your company can participate in the 2026 contest, download and complete the 2026 entry form. Submissions must be received by August 24.
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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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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NEW MODULAR PLATFORM BUOYS SCHINDLER NEW-INSTALLATION GROWTH
Switzerland-headquartered Schindler announced on July 21 that momentum of its new modular product platform is driving new-installation growth (excluding China), particularly in Europe. "In the first half of 2026, we continued to execute on our strategy of disciplined, profitable growth and achieved a strong operating profit," Schindler CEO Paolo Compagna said in the interim report covering through June 30. "These results underline the strength of our strategy and position us well to continue creating long-term value for our customers, employees and shareholders." The OEM saw net profit of CHF542 million (US$667.3 million), representing 10.2% of revenue for the first half of the year with cash flow from operating activities at CHF617 million (US$759.7 million). The company also observed it received both Red Dot and iF Design awards for the Schindler X8 elevator for new and renovated buildings, and was honored by both Fortune and Statista as one of Europe's most innovative companies. Schindler expects low- to mid-digit growth for 2026.
IEES ANNOUNCES UPDATED TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
The International Elevator and Escalator Symposium (IEES) has announced its updated Technical Committee, representing a broad cross-section of the global vertical-transportation (VT) industry. These respected professionals will help guide the Symposium’s technical program, oversee the peer-review process and ensure the continued delivery of the high-quality, independent educational content. Read more here |
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VANTAGE ELEVATOR SOLUTIONS WELCOMES NEW CTO
Vantage Elevator Solutions, headquartered in Bronx, NY, recently welcomed Dan Guptail as its new chief technology officer (CTO). Prior to joining Vantage, Guptail was the Memphis, Tennessee-based president of R&D and technology for Swiss multinational company ABB. Read more here
KONE ELEVATOR INDIA EXPANDS BENGALURU BRANCH/SOUTH OFFICE
KONE Elevator India has expanded its Bengaluru branch and South Regional Office in Hebbal, Bengaluru, to support sales, installation, service and modernization operations across Karnataka and provide regional leadership for its business across South India, Construction Week reports. The office supports operations across Mysuru, Mandya, Kolar, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar and other parts of Karnataka, and will function as an experience center showcasing KONE’s elevator solutions, digital technologies and People Flow® innovations. KONE Elevator India has partnered with a number of developers and enterprises across commercial, healthcare, technology park and mixed-use developments in Karnataka. The state in southwest India continues to be one of KONE’s strategic growth markets, driven by urbanization, technology ecosystems and investment in residential, commercial and infrastructure development. |
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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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KINGS III ACQUIRES INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY FROM LIFT AI
Kings III Emergency Communications, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management headquartered in Coppell, Texas, on July 20 announced it has acquired the elevator diagnostics and intelligence technology behind Lift AI's Lift AI One. This technology includes its Internet of Things (IoT) sensing platform, embedded analytics and related intellectual property. Kings III stated the move is part of keeping pace with market trends such as elevator management shifting from reactive to predictive. Kings III started emergency communications in 1989, adding controller-based telemetry with its 2025 acquisition of LiftNet. Read more here
AMERICAN ELEVATOR JOINS FORCES WITH ESI INDIANA
American Elevator, a leading independent elevator company in the Midwest based in Anderson, Indiana, has joined forces with Elevator Service, Inc. (ESI) Indiana through a strategic partnership with ESI, Maven Group, which served as advisor to American Elevator, announced on July 16. The move is intended to support the continued growth of American Elevator, which, since its founding in 2008, has built a strong reputation for comprehensive elevator maintenance, repair, modernization and new installation with a customer-focused approach. Read more here |
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SCHINDLER X8 WINS RED DOT AWARD AND iF DESIGN AWARD
The Schindler X8 has won two of the world’s most respected seals of design quality: a Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 and an iF DESIGN AWARD 2026. The Schindler X8 impressed international design experts with its approach to residential elevator design, rethinking how an elevator looks and feels inside the home. Created for homes and residential buildings, the Schindler X8 incorporates minimalist doors, carefully designed interior packages and a clean aesthetic that brings warmth, simplicity and visual harmony to vertical mobility. Read more here
ARROW LIFT NAMED A MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE TOP WORKPLACE
Arrow Lift, a family-owned accessibility lift and home elevator company headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, has been named a 2026 Minnesota Star Tribune Top Workplace. The award results are determined by confidential feedback from company employees. The Top Workplaces program is based on confidential employee feedback and is designed to measure the strength of an organization's workplace culture, including employee engagement, leadership, alignment, support and connection. Read more here |
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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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CANE JOINS PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM AT QUEBEC’S NODDEM
Sheena Cane, whose vertical-transportation industry career spans more than 20 years, announced she has been named project manager at Groupe Noddem Inc., a company headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, that specializes in the design, manufacture and assembly of commercial, industrial and residential elevator systems. Cane joins Noddem from TK Elevator, where she was a senior account manager based in Ottawa, Ontario. Read more here
METRON, BASED IN GREECE, INVESTS IN AUTOMATION, ROBOTICS AND MORE
Metron SA, an export-focused Greek manufacturer of complete, customized elevator systems, cabins, doors and metallic shafts, on July 15 announced the launch of a EUR3-million (US$3.4-million) investment program for 2026-2028 to strengthen its production capabilities in the Serres Industrial Area in Greece and reinforce its commitment to partners. Read more here |
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ALIMAK ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN ACCESS-SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST PRO-BEL
Alimak Group, the global provider of vertical-access and working-at-height solutions headquartered in Sweden, on July 14 announced the acquisition of Pro-Bel, a Toronto area provider of suspended-access and fall-protection solutions with customers across Canada and the U.S., in a CAD200-milion (US$142.3-million) deal. Pro-Bel, which has 45 years' industry experience and a highly profitable operating model, will be incorporated into Alimak's Façade Access division. Read more here
STANNAH COMPLETES MODERNIZATION AT HISTORIC ABBEY
One of England’s most famous historic monasteries, Grade I Whitby Abbey, has invested in a lift modernization by Stannah to offer reliable step-free access to visitors. Originally founded in AD 657 and occupied by the Anglian community, Whitby Abbey was later rebuilt as a Benedictine monastery. Today, the seventh-century ruins remain a popular heritage landmark in North Yorkshire, now housing an award-winning visitor center repurposed from a 17th-century banqueting hall. Due to the age of the existing lift, modernization work was needed to maintain smooth and reliable operations for visitors who require step-free access. Read more here |
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DELCO ELEVATOR PRODUCTS is partnering with RCW CANADA! Through this new partnership, RCW Canada is now stocking Delco products at its Pickering, Ontario facility — giving elevator contractors across Eastern Canada faster local access, more efficient shipping, and convenient pickup options. This partnership is another step toward improving product availability and support for elevator contractors across the region. Contact us: delcoelevator.com or rcwcanada.ca Advertisement
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THREE ELEVATORS COMPLETED AT NYC’S DEKALB STATION
Forte Construction completed the installation of three new elevators at DeKalb Avenue station, one of the NYC’s busiest transit hubs, the New York Real Estate Journal reports. The project at the 111-year-old station included the replacement of one street-to-mezzanine elevator and two mezzanine-to-platform elevators serving both uptown and downtown trains. Work also included the construction of new sump pits at the platform elevators. To accommodate new systems within the station’s existing footprint, the project teams reconfigured the elevator shaft layouts, equipment locations and elevator machine room designs while manufacturing full operational connectivity between the elevator systems and the platform level equipment rooms. The three elevator installations mark the 19th, 20th and 21st elevators brought into service as part of the 37 Elevators Project, a citywide design-build initiative delivered in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transit Authority to modernize accessibility infrastructure across 17 stations throughout the city. Completion of the DeKalb Avenue elevators officially moves the project beyond its halfway point. |
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What do you need to lift? No matter how specialized your material lifting needs, PFlow Industries can engineer and manufacture a vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) for your specific material lifting application. Leading the VRC industry since 1977, PFlow has the experience to ensure your project’s success! Visit us at www.pflow.com or call (414) 352-9000 to learn more. Advertisement
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FEDERAL STUDY PROPOSES ESCALATORS AND MORE TO BOOST PENN STATION CAPACITY
A new federal study is looking at ways to increase train traffic and ease passenger flow at Penn Station — the main intercity railroad station in NYC and the busiest transportation facility in the Western Hemisphere — as part of the Trump Administration’s planned US$8-billion overhaul of the transit hub, ABC Channel 7 reports. Among proposed improvements are additional escalators, stairways and extended platforms to make it easier for passengers to move through the station and access trains. Read more here
IUEC LOCAL 3 IN ST. LOUIS WELCOMES NEW OFFICES AND TRAINING CENTER
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 3 members, along with international union representatives and local officials, welcomed their new offices and training center at 1525 South Broadway in St. Louis with a ribbon-cutting on July 9, the Labor Tribune reports. The first building housing both the union hall and a 10,000-ft2 training space in Local 3's 128-year history marks "an exciting milestone in the history of Local 3," Local 3 Business Manager Matt Fernandez said. Read more here |
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Enhance your elevator interiors with Inpro’s fully wrapped cab panels. We believe durability shouldn’t compromise design. Made with Palladium® Rigid Vinyl Sheet, our panels resist damage, endure daily wear, and maintain a high-end finish. Trust Inpro for durable, design-forward solutions that last. Advertisement
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DAEP’S AWARD OF APM CONTRACT FOR DWC HERALDS VT CONTRACTS TO COME
With Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) recently announcing the award of the Automated People Mover (APM) contract for the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) expansion, tender documents for the expansion’s vertical-transportation (VT) package are likely in the pipeline. The APM contract for the first phase of the US$35-billion DWC expansion of the airport near Dubai that will become the world's largest by passenger capacity was awarded to a consortium consisting of Mitsubishi Corp. of Japan and India's Larsen & Toubro. Read more here
SAN FRANCISCO: IN THE CITY OF AI, AN ELEVATOR CAREER IS A GOOD BET
In San Francisco, a technology-forward city where AI is replacing entry-level jobs, a career as an elevator technician offers job seekers a six-figure-plus salary and job stability, Mission Local reports. With older buildings and aging elevators, San Francisco, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 8 Business Secretary Greg Hardeman said, is the most lucrative market in the country for elevator technicians, who earn an average salary of US$130,000. Read more here |
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SKYTRAIN STATIONS BEGIN VERTICAL-TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
SkyTrain station accessibility upgrades will bring temporary elevator and escalator closures to stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Railway Supply reports. At Burrard Station, elevator replacement is scheduled to begin July 21 and continue through spring 2027. Work at Royal Oak Station will start July 28 and is expected to take less than four months. Escalator replacement at Gilmore and Production Way–University stations is due to begin July 20. At Gilmore, all three escalators are scheduled to be replaced by early 2029, with the first expected to be completed in spring 2027. Read more here
LT ELEVATOR BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON MANUFACTURING FACILITY
Kolkata, India-based LT Elevator, an elevator and automated parking systems manufacturer, has begun construction of an integrated manufacturing facility in West Bengal, Manufacturing reports. This facility is expected to increase the company’s manufacturing capacity by 2.5 times when completed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2027. The facility will bring manufacturing, sourcing and execution together to reduce lead times and improve cost efficiency while also strengthening LT Elevator’s ability to execute large institutional and government projects. Read more here |
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EW’S 2026 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS. ELEVATOR WORLD’s Product of the Year Award honors manufacturers for outstanding product innovation and development. For more information, previous winners, and submission criteria, visit the official contest page at https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/ Advertisement
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CONSTRUCTION SITE FIRE IN BRUSSELS LEAVES SIX DEAD IN BLOCKED ELEVATOR SHAFT
At least six people died and two others were injured on July 14 as a result of a fire raging through a building undergoing renovation in Brussels, outlets including the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services report. The deceased were found inside a blocked elevator shaft. The fire began on the building’s second floor and quickly spread into the lift shaft, “trapping multiple elevators and complicating rescue efforts.” Brussels Mayor Philippe Close praised the fast, coordinated response of firefighters, police and other responders who evaluated approximately 250 workers as responders attempted to reach the blocked shaft. Their swift response, he said, likely prevented an even greater tragedy. Thermal cameras and sniffer dogs were deployed to locate victims, and forensic teams continue to examine the elevator area where the bodies were found. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. |
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Register now for Draka EHC’s webinar Traveling Cables Reimagined - A Journey Through Innovation on July 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST. You'll learn about the rapid evolution of elevator traveling cables alongside modern communications technologies, and the innovative solutions meeting today's industry demands for data transmission, security, and safety. You'll also get a peek into the process to create new products while maintaining code compliance along with flexibility for new installs or existing infrastructure. Advertisement
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