Elevator World

CANNY ACTIVITY AROUND THE WORLD

Canny is wrapping up 2015 with a flurry of activity, including events in New York City (NYC); its headquarters in Suzhou City, China; and Manila, the Philippines, EW Correspondent Peng Jie reports. In NYC in October, Canny was one of 66 Chinese companies showcased on Times Square billboards as part of the 66th annual China National Day. Also in October, Canny welcomed 20 visitors from the South Korean Quality Supervision Bureau to its headquarters in Suzhou City to share industry information and research. In November, Canny Chairman Wang Youlin joined fellow business leaders at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Leaders Summit in Manila, where they led discussions on how to locate business niches and facilitate economic cooperation.

ALIMAK HOISTS IN DENVER, NYC

Alimak Group is providing hoists for the construction of commercial highrises in the Denver and New York City (NYC) areas under contracts totaling approximately US$1.8 million. They are being delivered during the first quarter of 2016. Upon announcement of the work, Fredrik Betts, executive vice president and head of Business Area Construction Equipment, said the company is "encouraged by the continued interest and confidence shown by our customers through the placement of additional orders for the full range of Alimak products."

1 UNDERSHAFT WOULD SURPASS SHARD, BE LONDON’S TALLEST

The Guardian is among publications to reveal plans to build 1 Undershaft between the Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater) and 30 St Mary Axe (Gherkin) in London's Financial District. Architect Eric Parry is responsible for the design of the 90,000 m2 office building, which would have a square footprint and be relatively restrained. With crisscrossing red bracing and horizontal white louvres, 1 Undershaft would stand 73 stories and 309.6 m -- a touch taller than the Shard. The plan for the property, purchased several years ago by the billionaire founders of the world’s largest palm-oil producer, is still under review, and no timeframe has been given.

ARGENTINA MARKET EXPLORED IN REPORT

Research and Markets has announced the availability of Argentina Elevator and Escalator Market Report 2015-2019. The report observes the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.95% in terms of newly installed units. It provides a detailed analysis of the main players in the market: Mitsubishi Electric, Otis, Schindler and thyssenkrupp, as well as descriptions of other market players. Increased tourism is driving business, according to the report, but also presents challenges as OEMs are forced to figure out ways to expand elevator capacity without making significant structural changes to buildings.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-9-2015

XIZI OTIS TO SUPPLY NEW SHANGHAI METRO LINE

Xizi Otis is furthering an already-strong relationship with the Chinese metro system with a 132-unit order to supply Shanghai's new Metro Line 17. The order consists of 28 energy-efficient Gen2® elevators and 104 XO21NP escalators designed for heavy use and outfitted with more than 30 safety devices to help ensure continuous, safe operation. The line includes 11 stations over 35 km and is scheduled to start operation in 2018. Xizi Otis has so far delivered approximately 3,000 escalators to metro networks in more than 10 Chinese cities.

RESIDENTIAL TOWER WILL BE AMONG NASHVILLE’S TALLEST

A 45-story, US$169-million apartment/condominium tower that will be the tallest in Nashville, Tennessee, in terms of occupied floors, is moving forward with financing in place, The Tennessean reports. Developer Tony Giarratana is using bank and tax-increment-financing loans to build 505, named for its address at 505 Church Street, at the intersection of Church Street and Fifth Avenue. It is set to contain 550 residences, with condominiums on the upper third portion.

MANILA METRO ESCALATOR REFURBISHMENT ON TRACK

Jardine Schindler said refurbishment of 12 escalators along the Manila Metro Rail Transit System (MRT-3) in Manila, the Philippines, is on track to be complete by the end of the year, GMA News Online reports. Noting the project is ahead of schedule, Jardine Schindler Managing Director Jesus Barnando Palma III said 10 escalators have been refurbished so far, the result of a government contract awarded earlier this year (ELENET 628). The project is aimed at easing travel along MRT-3, particularly for those with mobility issues.

BART ESCALATOR AVAILABILITY AVAILABLE ONLINE

San Francisco’s regional rail service, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), is providing up-to-the-minute information online about the availability of its escalators, The Richmond Standard reports. Along with online, email and text elevator advisories, the service – launched at the beginning of December -- is part of an effort on behalf of BART to improve escalator availability throughout the system. From July to September 2015, availability averaged just over 94%.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-8-2015/

NEW YORK COMPANY BARIST ACQUIRED BY KONE

Barist Elevator Co., Inc. of Deer Park, New York, one of the area's longest continually operating elevator installation, inspection, maintenance and repair companies, has been acquired by KONE. Barist was founded in 1974 by Richard Dalvano, Sr. and covers the metro area, including Long Island, Suffolk and Nassau counties, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. Until the acquisition, it was continuously family run. Executive Vice President for KONE Americas Larry Wash stated, "As KONE continues to broaden its services footprint in the U.S., New York City is the perfect foothold in the Northeast to deepen our customer base."

IN MEMORIAM: THOMAS A. COYLE

Thomas A. Coyle, a longtime veteran of the elevator industry, passed away at his home in Hollis, New Hampshire, on November 20 at the age of 72. A native of Massachusetts, Coyle began his career as a repairman at Payne Elevator (later acquired by thyssenkrupp) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he rose to shareholder and head of sales/engineering. He then founded Coyle Elevator Consultants. He is survived by wife, Bobbie; daughters, Sarah and Jacqueline; sons, Steve and Rick; brothers, Pat and Christopher; and nine grandchildren. Memorial donations may be sent to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

EIGSC 2016 OFFICERS, HOLIDAY PARTY

The Elevator Industry Group of Southern California (EIGSC) has announced 2016 officers and set the date and location of its holiday party. New officers are President Stan Schultz, retired elevator-industry veteran; Vice President Leslie Malloy of West Coast Innovative Pro Pads; Secretary Allan Lloyd of Abell Elevator of California; and Treasurer Corey Tobin of Bolton & Co. The holiday party is scheduled on December 15 at Taix’s French Restaurant in Los Angeles starting at 11:30 a.m. For questions, contact Ray Miller at email: [email protected].

UPTOWN CHARLOTTE APARTMENT BUILDING ON TRACK

A 43-story building housing nearly 400 apartments atop the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, is on track to top out in April 2016, with completion anticipated in fall 2016, The Charlotte Observer reports. Developer Childress Klein tells ELEVATOR WORLD thyssenkrupp is the vertical-transportation subcontractor on the project, which will be served by four elevators. The general contractor is Batson Cook, which now has workers framing levels 18-25 and installing the glass façade on levels 20-24.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-7-2015

THYSSENKRUPP EXPANDS NEUHAUSEN FACILITY

thyssenkrupp has expanded its elevator manufacturing facility in Neuhausen, Germany, to include a technology park and sales/service center. Along with other modernizations and upgrades in Neuhausen over the past three years, the expansion represents an investment of approximately US$130.7 million. More than 1,500 employees are based at the location, where thyssenkrupp Elevator CEO Andreas Schierenbeck said "the most innovative elevators for the world's tallest buildings will be produced in the future."

HITACHI RECEIVES 62-UNIT ORDER FOR VIETNAM RAIL LINE

Elevator Asia Pte. Ltd., the division of Hitachi serving Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, received an order to supply 32 elevators and 31 escalators to 11 elevated train stations in Urban Railway Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Representing the largest order ever for Hitachi in Vietnam, the units are scheduled for delivery in 2017. This is the first order for Hitachi escalators in Vietnam. With establishment of the first urban railway in the country and continued growth, Hitachi anticipates increased demand for its vertical-transportation systems.

FORT WORTH OFFICE TOWER SET TO START RISING

A US$115-million, 25-story office tower that will serve as headquarters for oil and gas company Jetta Operating is set to start rising at Taylor and Sixth streets in Fort Worth, Texas, the Star-Telegram reports. Construction is expected to start by the end of 2015 on the Anthracite Building, with occupancy at the start of 2018. It will boast 230,000 sq. ft. of office space, 16,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space and outdoor terraces, 7,000 sq. ft. of ground-level retail and 900 parking spaces over 15 floors.

TALL-BUILDING BOOM UNDERWAY IN HOUSTON

A tall-building boom is underway in Houston, and the Houston Chronicle has published a gallery highlighting some of the dozen-plus projects recently completed or scheduled for completion in 2016. Among the tallest is a 40-story residential building being developed by Jackson & Ryan Architects at Preston and Milam streets, expected to open in 2016, and a 39-story mixed-use tower opening soon in the 2900 block of Weslayan Street, developed by PM Realty Group.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-4-2015

KONE ADDS TEST TOWER TO CHINA SITE

KONE and local officials recently welcomed a 36-floor, 235-m-tall test tower at the KONE manufacturing, engineering and R&D facility in Kunshan, China. The tallest among KONE's eight test towers worldwide, the structure houses 12 shafts for testing new technology and the world's first double-deck elevator to use KONE's UltraRope™. The unit carries passengers at 10 mps to a sky lobby and showroom. KONE CEO and President Henrik Ehrnrooth said the investment promises to further strengthen KONE’s position in China.

28-STORY APARTMENT TOWER RISING IN INDIANAPOLIS

Approximately one year after groundbreaking, the 28-story 360 Market Square apartment tower at 360 E. Market Street in downtown Indianapolis is expected to start rising by the end of December, the Indy Star reports. Flaherty & Collins is the developer of the project, being built on the site of the former Market Square Arena next to a 10-story building that will serve as headquarters for an engine manufacturer. The US$121-million project is set to include approximately 300 apartments, a 600-space parking garage and a ground-level Whole Foods scheduled to open in June 2017, several months ahead of the apartments.

UPPER EAST SIDE APARTMENT TOWER PLAN PROGRESSES IN NYC

Barring a "midnight rezoning," the Bauhouse Group's plan to build an 80-story, 900-ft.-tall apartment tower in the Sutton Place neighborhood on the Upper East Side in New York City (NYC) is moving forward, with permits granted for demolition of existing structures, Curbed New York reports. Bauhouse also secured the Carlton Group as financial partner for the project, designed by Norman Foster and located at 426-432 East 58th Street. The plan has drawn criticism from those who contend it will mar the character of the neighborhood.

GATES, ESCALATORS PLANNED AT CROWDED INDIAN STATION

Authorities expect two new exit gates with escalators to be operational by January 2016 at the crowded Huda City Centre Metro Station in Gurgaon, India, The Times of India reports. Plans are moving forward to bring the number of exit gates from one to three. The new exit gates face a hospital and mixed-use development and will be outfitted with escalators to carry passengers to the first floor. The move is expected to ease crowding of motorized rickshaws at the base of the original exit.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-3-2015/

EHC HIRES DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

EHC Global (EHC) has appointed John M. Calderon its director of Marketing. His responsibilities include marketing strategy and branding, corporate communications, media relations, trade-show management and business intelligence. He will be based in the company’s headquarters in Oshawa, Canada. Calderon joins EHC with more than 15 years of marketing and business development experience. His previous positions include marketing and communications manager at L-3 Aviation Products, vice president of marketing and business development at ASI Technologies, publisher at Reed Construction Data, and marketing and communications roles at IPS Automation and Hayward Gordon.

109-UNIT ORDER FOR KONE IN HELSINKI

KONE has been hired to supply 61 elevators and 48 escalators to REDI, a mixed-use development taking shape in Helsinki. REDI includes a shopping center, six residential towers, a hotel tower and an office tower. It is scheduled to be completed in phases starting in 2018. It will have what would be the tallest buildings in Finland at 132 m. The order consists of 26 MiniSpaceTM, 17 MonoSpaceTM 700, nine TranSysTM and nine MonoSpace 500 elevators, 38 TravelMasterTM 110 and six TravelMaster 120 escalators and four TransitMasterTM moving walks. The order includes the fastest residential elevators in Finland traveling at a speed of 5 mps.

OTIS HIRED FOR McCORMICK PLACE IN CHICAGO

Otis has been hired by Prairie District3 Partners, a joint venture led by Clark Construction Group, to supply 39 units to McCormick Place event center and hotel in Chicago. The order consists of 13 SkyriseTM and 14 Gen2® elevators and 12 energy-efficient NCE escalators. Scheduled to be substantially complete by fall 2017, McCormick Place will have a 10,500-seat multipurpose arena, 40-story Marriott Marquis hotel and renovated American Book Co. building, all connected by pedestrian bridges. It will be among the largest convention facilities in North America.

TEI GROUP IN MANHATTAN CONDO BUILDING

TEI Group was awarded a contract with Tishman Construction to install four traction elevators, one hydraulic elevator and one private-residence elevator in the under-construction West Village full-block luxury condominium building across from Pier 40 in downtown Manhattan. This 12-story apartment building was designed by Herzog & de Meuron, designer of the Olympic “Bird’s Nest” Stadium in Beijing. It is being developed by Ian Schrager, builder of 40 Bond Street; the Vector Group; and the Witkoff Group. It is to have approximately 50 condos and is due for completion next year.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-2-2015

ALIMAK WINS US$1.26-MILLION REFINERY ORDER

Alimak Group has been awarded a US$1.26-million order by a client in the Middle East for an industrial elevator on an oil refinery. To be delivered in the first and second quarters of 2016, the order includes both traction and rack-and-pinion technology. Alimak Group CEO Tormod Gunleiksrud said winning the order is a reflection of the company's expanded ability to offer traction and hydraulic elevators, in addition to its traditional rack-and-pinion systems, thanks to the acquisition of Heis-Tek.

BELARUSIAN/CHINESE PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE ESCALATORS

OAO Mogilevliftmash in Mogilev, Belarus, has partnered with an established Chinese manufacturer to produce escalators for shopping malls and other facilities in 2016, Belarusian Telegraph Agency reports. OAO Mogilevliftmash reports that the first unit had passed trials, and agreements had been made to install three units in Mogilev, Minsk and Vitebsk. The first unit consists of approximately 30% Belarusian parts, and OAO Mogilevliftmash hopes to increase that to 50% as it pursues further deals in Russia and Kazakhstan.

ICONIC “VERTICAL VILLAGE” APPROVED IN SYDNEY

The City of Sydney has approved a plan to build a 49-story, 200-m-tall "vertical village," a commercial tower consisting of five glassy volumes stacked on top of each other at 50 Bridge in the Circular Quay precinct, World Architecture News reports. Designed by Danish firm 3XN, which worked with AMP Capital and the city on the plan, Quay Quarter Tower is intended to provide an intimate, low-rise office building feel, despite being tall. Each volume will have its own atrium and outdoor garden terrace, and each is situated to make the most of natural light, as well as views of the surrounding area, including the Sydney Opera House and harbor. No construction timeframe was given.

TUBE STATION TESTS “STAND ON BOTH SIDES” ESCALATOR RULE

Through mid December, London Tube operators are testing a new rule for riding escalators that they hope will ease traffic flow and prevent passenger bottlenecks at the bottom of units, the BBC reports. The rule is in effect for three weeks at Holborn Station, where people are now required to stand on both sides of “up” escalators, rather than only on the right sides. Located in central London, Holborn is one of the busiest stations in the system, with approximately 56 million passengers passing through each year.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-new/december-1-2015

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: SIX MONTHS UNTIL LIFTEX 2016

Organizers of LIFTEX 2016 in London on May 25-26, 2016, encourage those planning to attend or exhibit to make arrangements now. Organized every three years by the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) of the U.K., the event is slated to be held at ExCeL. LEIA states LIFTEX 2016 is expanding to include facilities managers, specifiers and lift consultants, local authority representatives and disability service providers. Exhibit space is limited, and prospective attendees may see who is attending and which spaces are still available on the website.

SCHUMACHER MODERNIZING 1918 IOWA COURTHOUSE ELEVATORS

Lawmakers in Woodbury County, Iowa, have hired Schumacher Elevator Co. to modernize a pair of elevators at the Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City, Iowa, that date to when the courthouse was built in 1918, the Sioux City Journal reports. The US$384,748 contract includes a new microprocessor controller, drive motors, traveling cables, hoistway wiring, cab doors and digital cab and floor position indicators. Work is expected to take place over a four-month period starting in February 2016.

BIG-DESIGNED BUILDING MAKES SPLASH ON NYC SKYLINE

Residents are expected to start moving in in spring 2016 to VIA 57 West, a 32-story, 460-ft.-tall tetrahedron-shaped building at 625 West 57th Street designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), New York YIMBY reports. VIA 57 cuts a striking figure on the far west side and has been described by BIG as a skyscraper/courtyard lovechild, with a courtyard that opens onto the Hudson River. Demand is expected to be high for the approximately 700 apartments within. Van Deusen & Associates consulted on its vertical-transportation system, which includes 10 elevators. The Durst Organization is the developer.

PLANS FOR WARSAW’S TALLEST TOWER APPROVED

Plans to build a 230-m-tall office tower in central Warsaw have won approval from city leaders, Eurobuild Central & Eastern Europe reports. Should it be built, the tower by Slovakian developer HB Reavis will be the tallest in Warsaw, surpassing the 180-m-tall Palace of Culture and Science. Designed by Foster + Partners, the building has an angled profile with its roof rising from 182 to 230 m. Plans call for the building's 115,000 m2 to be divided into 63,800 m2 of office space, 3,200 m2 of service space and 1,000 m2 of retail. No time frame was given for the project.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-30-2015/

EW CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

The offices of Elevator World, Inc. will be closed on November 26 and 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. They will open for regular business hours the following Monday, November 30.

MIXED-USE PROJECT FOR NYC’S MEATPACKING DISTRICT

A neglected block owned by HFZ Capital just northwest of the Meatpacking District's Chelsea Market in New York City (NYC) is set to get a mixed-use structure that consists of 402- and 302-ft.-tall towers that share a base, New York YIMBY reports. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, the plan includes 50,000 sq. ft. of retail, 150,000 sq. ft. for a hotel and 550,000 sq. ft. of residential space and related amenities. A diagonal cut that maximizes views of High Line Park from residences goes through the site. The address is 76 11th Avenue, and completion is anticipated in roughly 2018.

BELARUS AIMS TO HELP GEORGIA WITH ELEVATOR DEMAND

The joint production of elevators is among areas where Belarus and Adjara, Georgia, can successfully collaborate, Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said during a recent meeting in Minsk, Belarus, with Archil Khabadze, chairman of the Adjara province, Belarus News reports. One of the most developed provinces in Georgia, Adjara has many elevators that need to be replaced, and a thriving tourism industry, foreign investment and infrastructure projects are driving demand for additional units, Kobyakov pointed out.

EW FOCUSES ON MODERNIZATION IN FEBRUARY

ELEVATOR WORLD will focus on Modernization in its February issue, which will also include a Continuing Education article. The deadline for submissions is December 15. To participate or for more information, contact the EW Editorial Department at phone: (251) 479-4514, ext. 30 or email: [email protected].

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-25-2015/

IRAQ “VERTICAL CITY” WOULD HAVE WORLD’S TALLEST TOWER

Groundbreaking vertical transportation would be part of The Bride tower, a proposed building in Basra Province, Iraq, by AMBS Architects that, at 1,152 m and 230 stories, would be the new world's tallest structure, dezeen reports. Surpassing the height of both the Kingdom Tower and Burj Khalifa, it is part of a four-tower, mixed-use "vertical city" that also includes 724-, 484- and 61-m-tall towers. A glazed canopy on the building's south façade resembles a veil and would shield it from heat. The building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. No timeframe for the project was given.

ECNY ANNUAL MEETING/HOLIDAY PARTY ON DECEMBER 3

The Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) is planning its annual general membership meeting and holiday party on December 3 at Bruno’s on the Boulevard in Jackson Heights, New York. Open to members only, the event features a buffet dinner, an open bar and prizes. Corporate members are entitled to five free tickets and individual members to one. Additional tickets may be purchased for US$45 each. Festivities start at 5 p.m. For more information, visit the ECNY website.

CTBUH UNVEILS UPDATED BUILDINGS BOOK

The 100 of the World’s Tallest Buildings book is now available for purchase from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Last updated in 2006, the new edition features 73 new projects, full-color photographs and data such as height, building metrics, renderings and drawings by engineers and architects.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-new/november-24-2015