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ELEVATOR WORLD’s August 2026 Issue
 On the Cover: Photo Contest 2026
Features: WEE Expo 2026, Guangzhou; Elevator U 2026
Focus on Insurance and Liability: How Tariffs, AI, Data Centers and Social Inflation Are Reshaping Insurance for the Elevator Industry...
Columns: NYC's 19 Elevators Project; A Conversation With mayr's Johann Eberle; How Black Boxes Are Changing the Elevator World...
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EW OCTOBER 2026 TO FOCUS ON DIGITALIZATION
ELEVATOR WORLD’s October 2026 issue will focus on Digitalization (AI, IoT, BIM, automation, simulation, digital twin and more). The Product of the Year Nominees will be featured. The editorial deadline is August 17, and the advertising deadline is September 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.
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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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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SCHAEFER ELEVATOR COMPONENTS INC. NAMES SIMONSEN AS MD
SCHAEFER Elevator Components Inc., with global headquarters in Germany, has named Toven Simonsen as managing director (MD). Simonsen brings experience across contract development and negotiation, technical problem-solving, modernization and maintenance programs, and regulatory compliance to the role. Simonsen joins as part of a planned leadership succession and will gradually assume responsibilities from Ross Watson, who will retire at a later date. Watson will remain closely involved throughout the transition. Simonsen will connect the technical, operational and commercial sides of the business for SCHAEFER's customers, contractors and regulatory partners in North America. "I chose SCHAEFER because its commitment to high-quality products and thoughtful engineering closely matches what I value," Simonsen said. "The company's connection to German engineering is particularly appealing because it reflects precision, durability and a disciplined approach to design and problem-solving."
CAMPIONE PROMOTED TO CONSULTANT AT LERCH BATES
Anthony Campione, based in the NYC area, has been promoted from associate consultant to consultant at Lerch Bates Inc. Prior to working for Lerch Bates, Campione served as a new installation sales executive at Fujitec and modernization project manager at Schindler. Prior to joining the vertical-transportation industry, he managed projects for architecture firms including RSC Architects in Hackensack, N.J., and Sargenti Architects in Paramus, N.J. Campione holds a BA in architecture from the New York Institute of Technology. Read more here |
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BENFIELD ELECTRIC CONGRATULATES DEFRANCESCO ON HIS RETIREMENT
New York's Benfield Electric and Elevator Supply Corp. congratulates Robert DeFrancesco (Bobby Dee) on his retirement this year after 64 remarkable years. Throughout his career, DeFrancesco served on boards of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) and the Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY). He chaired NAEC's Convention Exhibit Committee, served as Supplier Committee chairman, helped establish ECNY's Supplier Showcase and Dinner Dance and played a major role in raising scholarship funds for generations of industry families. A staunch believer in the power of relationships, his dedication to the industry earned him numerous honors, including the NAEC President's Award, the William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award and many others. Read more here
METRO ELEVATOR EXPANDS MIDWEST PRESENCE WITH COLUMBUS OFFICE
Metro Elevator recently announced the expansion of its Midwest presence with a new office in Columbus, Ohio. Spearheading the new division are Rick Jandora and Eric Lauterbach, who bring a combined five decades' experience to the operation. Lauterbach spent more than 20 years serving the state of Ohio, holding management roles with TK Elevator, Elevated Facility Services and Otis. He holds a business and marketing degree from Bowling Green State University. Read more here |
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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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IN MEMORIAM: GEORGE R. DEERING
George R. Deering, a longtime elevator man and U.S. Navy veteran, passed away on August 6 in Hamilton, N.J., at age 85. Don Gelestino, founder and chairman of the board at NYC's Champion Elevator, described Deering as "a longtime colleague and dear friend," going on to say: “My story with George began 40 years ago when I was a young kid starting out in an industry that would ultimately become my life's work. George was my first boss at DECO Elevator, and neither of us could have imagined then that we would continue working together for the next four decades — DECO Elevator, Ver-Tech Elevator, Unitec Ver-Tech and Champion Elevator. We watched companies grow and change, saw the elevator industry transform, experienced successes and challenges and shared more conversations, projects, stories and laughs than I could ever count. I became friends with George's children and, over the years, those relationships extended to their children and grandchildren. It became a friendship between families across generations. It is difficult for me to imagine the elevator industry without George because, quite simply, I have never known this industry without him. Rest in peace, my friend." |
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THUNDERBIRD ELEVATOR LAUNCHED IN DALLAS-FORT WORTH
Thunderbird Elevator & Building Services recently launched in Dallas-Fort Worth. It is a new commercial elevator company "powered by International Union of Elevator Constructors labor built for owners and property managers who want reliable service, real monthly maintenance and a team that shows up when they say they will," according to founder, CEO and Head of Elevator Operations John Nyquist. Thunderbird provides preventive maintenance, repair and callback service and modernization. Nyquist has more than 20 years' elevator industry experience in Texas, Florida and Nevada. Read more here
JONESTEIN JOINS NORTH STAR ELEVATOR AS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Josh Jonestein recently joined North Star Elevator, headquartered in the Dallas area, as an account executive. Jonestein previously worked for Otis as a service manager in Vermont. He had a nearly 10-year career with TK Elevator, holding roles in Dallas including service and repair superintendent and service operations manager. Jonestein studied business analytics at East Texas A&M University. He said what makes his new role at North Star meaningful is that the company was founded by Tony Marrero, who was once one of Jonestein's field adjusters. 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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ATIS ACQUIRES BUCKLEY BELCHER TO STRENGTHEN CAPABILITIES
Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private-equity firm based in St. Louis, on August 5 announced the acquisition of Buckley Belcher & Co., LLC, by ATIS, a TSCP portfolio company and premier provider of elevator and escalator safety inspections, consulting and managed services throughout North America. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, with an additional primary location in Huntington, NY, Buckley Belcher provides elevator consulting and managed services to building owners, property managers and architects across the U.S. Read more here
SCHAEFER ELEVATOR COMPONENTS INC. NAMES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SCHAEFER Elevator Components Inc. has named Spencer Drysdale, with global headquarters in Germany, as business development manager for Canada and the U.S. Drysdale joins SCHAEFER after eight years with Otis, where he held a variety of sales roles. Drysdale said he's always valued the variety the elevator industry offers: Every building, customer and project brings its own set of challenges, combining technical problem-solving, collaboration and seeing projects come to life. "What drew me to SCHAEFER was the opportunity to join a family-owned company with a strong legacy in the European market, a reputation for quality, and an exciting vision for growth in North America," Drysdale said. |
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TAOPING LAUNCHES ELEVATOR INSURANCE PILOT PROGRAM
Taoping Inc., a provider of innovative cloud-based technologies, Smart City Internet of Things platforms and related products and services headquartered in Tianjin, China, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Skyladder (Tianjin) Technology Development Co., Ltd., has launched an elevator maintenance insurance pilot program with the Tianjin Branch of the People's Insurance Co. of China Property and Casualty Company Ltd. (PICC P&C). The new Insurance + Technology model integrates real-time monitoring, maintenance and risk protection, while targeting a 20% reduction in long-term elevator operating and maintenance costs. Read more here
SKYLINE ELEVATORS PROVIDES VT SYSTEM FOR NEW BROOKLYN BUILDING
Brooklyn, NY-based Skyline Elevators tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided a vertical-transportation (VT) system consisting of two machine-room-less elevators with Imperial machines and ESI controllers for 498 Columbia Street, a new eight-story residential building recently completed in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Express Builders JB Inc., the 275,992-ft2 structure yields 371 rental units and a 69,409-ft2 community facility, as well as a 10-vehicle parking garage, according to New York YIMBY. Read more here |
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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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CREATOR OF THE ELEVATOR DATABASE LAUNCHES VERSION 3.0.0
Logan Ober, creator of The Elevator Database and a recent transplant to Pittsburgh, on August 4 announced the debut of The Elevator Database Version 3.0.0., “the biggest update in the history of the Database” since it began as a solo hobby project in 2023. Some of the biggest updates include paid Application Programming Interface with Open Authorization; free guest accounts with favorites, allowing users to save conveyance records across every supported state and quickly return to them; and certificate, permit and inspection date notification for favorited records. Read more here
OTIS ELEVATORS FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY IN HELL’S KITCHEN
Otis tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided one Gen3TM Edge and one Gen3 Peak elevator, along with the Otis ONETM Pro Internet of Things service, for Rialto West, a new eight-story, 158-unit permanently affordable residential rental building at 509 West 48th Street in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, NY. Designed by S9 Architecture, the building's residential units are for formerly unhoused and low- and middle-income households, according to New York Housing Conference. With a façade inspired by the surrounding loft-style industrial architecture with a mix of exposed brick, metal cladding and expansive glass windows, the property also boasts more than 5,000 ft2 of community space. Read more here |
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Julius Blum's Elevator Cab Components in aluminum, bronze, stainless steel, and nickel silver are available for prompt shipment. Request our Elevator Brochure for complete product listings and technical specifications. Contact us today for more information. https://www.juliusblum.com/request-a-catalog/ Advertisement
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ATTA ELEVATORS ANNOUNCES ALEX MUZZO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
ATTA Elevators, one of North America’s largest independent elevator service providers, recently announced the recipients of its 2026 Alexander G. Muzzo scholarships. After reviewing an impressive number of applications, the company awarded scholarships to five young people who “have demonstrated exceptional dedication, academic achievement and a strong commitment to their communities”: Tomi Antunovic, Jack Bosecne, Emma Cozza, Riley Davies and Jacob Maquire. “Each of these students embodies the values we strive to support at ATTA Elevators, and we are honored to contribute to their continued success,” the company stated. Read more here
KONE SYSTEMS TO BE INSTALLED AT ARMENIA PREMIUM-CLASS MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX
The Azatutyun Multifunctional Complex and Yuglift, the official representative of KONE in Armenia, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the integration of KONE’s modern elevator systems into the complex located in Yerevan, Armenia, News.am reports. Azatutyun Complex chose KONE because the concept behind the project envisions not only premium-class architecture, but also attention to every detail, from engineering solutions to the everyday comfort of its residents. The complex has been designed using advanced engineering, contemporary architectural and innovative construction approaches, with a high seismic resistance rating of 9+. The construction incorporates the latest generation of energy-efficient building materials. Read more here |
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RANSOMWARE ATTACK AFFECTS ELEVATORS AND MORE AT CANADA HOSPITAL
A recent ransomware attack at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, disrupted elevators, doors and HVAC systems, highlighting a growing concern for healthcare organizations operating within increasingly interconnected technology environments, Cybersecurity INSIDERS reports. The source did not provide a date or time duration for the incident, and did not specify how elevators and other systems were “disrupted.” A statement from HSC confirmed a ransomware attack interfered with the maintenance and operation of certain building services, adding that patient care and clinical operations continued as usual. The source observed that “modern hospitals depend on complex digital systems to control and monitor numerous building functions,” including elevators, that can be connected to centralized networks so personnel can monitor and manage these functions. “If these systems are disrupted during a cyberattack, the consequences can extend well beyond the loss of access to files,” the source said. |
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Elevatorkeys.com is nominated for "Best Supplier - Other" in Elevator World's 2026 Ellies Awards! Vote today to help us win then check out our growing selection of parts! Use coupon ELLIES26 for free 2-day domestic shipping on orders over $49 now through Labor Day. Advertisement
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FOUR OTIS ELEVATORS FOR NEW CONEY ISLAND APARTMENT BUILDING
Otis tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided a vertical-transportation system consisting of four Gen3TM Edge elevators and Otis ONETM Pro — the company's highest-tier cloud and Internet of Things maintenance package — for Coney Island III, a new 11-story, all-affordable apartment building at 1709 Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY. Earlier this summer, New York YIMBY reported the building, designed by S9Architecture and developed by BFC Partners in collaboration with local housing authorities and Goldman Sachs, had topped out. Read more here
ABU DHABI BUILDING OWNERS FACE ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE PENALTIES
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has said that fines of AED5,000 (US$1,361) can be imposed on building owners in the city in the absence of elevator maintenance contracts with an accredited maintenance entity, Arabian Business reports. The penalties will apply to all existing buildings and facilities or those under construction with independent private houses and residential homes as an exception. Read more here |
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Register now for the CEDES webinar Proactive Maintenance: What woks Today and What’s Next on Aug 20, 2026 10:00 AM CST to see how elevator contractors are using the CEDES Elevate and FIELDBOSS integration to detect issues earlier, minimize running on arrival headaches, prioritize service calls, and make more informed maintenance decisions. Advertisement
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WORKER INJURED AFTER BECOMING TRAPPED UNDER ELEVATOR AT IOWA DATA CENTER
A construction worker at a Google data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was “seriously injured” as a result of becoming trapped under an elevator on August 3, outlets including WHO 13 report. Emergency responders worked for nearly an hour from the time the 911 call was received until the worker was released and transported via helicopter to a trauma center in Omaha, Nebraska, according to the Council Bluffs Fire Department. In a statement to the source, Google acknowledged that a worker was injured at its Council Bluffs site while performing repairs on a material lift. Read more here
ELEVATOR DROP CAUGHT ON VIDEO IN RUSSIA RESULTS IN INJURIES
Video of a crowded elevator suddenly dropping 50 ft from the fourth to the ground floor of a high rise in Russia shows nine passengers falling against each other and to the floor, with four of them suffering broken legs, outlets including the New York Post reported on August 10. The elevator serving the apartment building in Makhachkala, Dagestan, had a six-person capacity, and the building, completed in 2021, had never received a commissioning certificate from housing officials, leading local authorities to question the legality of the elevator. All passengers are expected to survive, but a criminal case has been opened by Russia’s Investigative Committee over alleged failure to meet safety requirements. |
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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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