Elevator World

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-10-2015

LERCH BATES ADDS STAFF IN U.S.

Lerch Bates Inc. has hired consultants Carl G. Cary for its Pacific Northwest region and Peter Wallack for its New England region. Cary previously was district sales manager for Won-Door Corp., where he oversaw sales and consulting in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. He studied at the College of Southern Nevada in Henderson, Nevada. Wallack is a 30-year veteran of the vertical-transportation industry. During his 15-year tenure with Boston-based Otis subsidiary Delta Beckwith Elevator Co., he served as director of Operations, Accessibility and New Equipment Sales. He is familiar with both custom and OEM products, and holds a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He studied Civil Engineering at Northeastern University in Boston.

DeNARDO, KEY PLAYER ON 1 WTC, RETIRING

Mike DeNardo, construction supervisor on 1 World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City (NYC) for ThyssenKrupp, is retiring. DeNardo played a significant role in installation of the vertical-transportation system for the landmark, working onsite with the general contractor and other trades to stay on schedule, order equipment and ensure safety precautions were taken. During the years-long assignment, DeNardo oversaw the hoisting of heavy and large pieces of ThyssenKrupp equipment such as escalators. The International Union of Elevator Constructors Local One of New York and New Jersey plans to host a retirement party for him at Beekman Pub in NYC on November 13 starting at 4 p.m. Those wishing to attend may RSVP to Dennis Chatfield at (732) 778-1504.

KONE EARNS ACCOLADES FROM ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFIT

KONE's efforts to shrink its carbon footprint through its products and operations earned the OEM top scores from international environmental nonprofit CDP. KONE is on CDP's Climate Performance "A List" and is one of two companies out of more than 200 to receive the best possible climate-disclosure score of 100A in the CDP Climate Change Report 2015. KONE has steadily moved up in the rankings in the past six years, and in 2015 was also included in the nonprofit's Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) for the fifth consecutive year. CDLI recognizes companies that are transparent about climate-related information.

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

THYSSENKRUPP PRESENTS WORKING MULTI MODEL IN SPAIN

ThyssenKrupp presented a working model of MULTI, what the company calls “the world’s first ropeless elevator system,” at its Innovation Center in Gijon, Spain, on November 5. The 1:3 scale model consists of a pair of 10-m shafts and four cabs powered by linear motors, enabling horizontal movement through the use of exchangers that change shaft configuration. The technology is based on the magnetic levitation train Transrapid, and includes a multilevel brake system and inductive power that transfers from shaft to cabin. By incorporating numerous self-propelled cabs running in a loop, transport capacity is increased by up to 50%. Since MULTI requires smaller shafts than conventional systems, a building’s usable area can be increased by up to 25%. The next step is for a full-scale, operational system to be built in ThyssenKrupp’s new test tower in Rottweil, Germany, scheduled for completion by the end of 2016.

XIZI OTIS RENEWS CONTRACT WITH BUSY CHINESE RAIL HUB

A four-year maintenance contract between Xizi Otis and Beijing South Railway Station has been renewed as part of Xizi Otis' "Back-Home Inspection Program," launched in 2014 and providing complimentary maintenance for Xizi Otis escalators and elevators in China. Covering 110 Xizi Otis escalators, the contract includes counseling and support for railway station officials in an effort to enhance the equipment's reliability and safety. Beijing South Railway Station covers approximately 320 m2 and is one of China's busiest transit hubs.

22-STORY APARTMENT TOWER FOR CAMBRIDGE

Boston Properties has confirmed plans to build a 22-story, 274-apartment tower with ground-level retail at 88 Ames Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Boston Business Journal reports. Scheduled to open in 2018, the US$140-million development promises to revitalize an area currently dominated by a parking-garage entrance and loading dock. Boston Properties is also pursuing office and multifamily projects in other parts of Cambridge, such as Kendall Square.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-6-2015/

HITACHI’S CONCEPTUAL HF-1 LAUDED

HF-1, a "human-friendly" elevator concept by Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa for Hitachi, recently received the Japan Institute of Design Promotion's 2015 Good Design Gold Award. Hitachi tells ELEVATOR WORLD it is evaluating market response before it decides to put HF-1 on the market. HF-1 is designed to create a soothing and stress-free riding experience with its rounded corners, taller ceiling height, ambient lighting and temperature and intuitive control panel. Fast Company likened it to a Star Trek Turbolift.

DE BLASIO, STATE CLASH OVER LICENSING

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was battling state officials opposing legislation that would see the state license mechanics and others who oversee the maintenance of some 70,000 elevators in the city’s high-rise buildings. According to the New York Post, the measure would also require that elevator mechanics undergo "extensive training before obtaining a license," something it notes is a requirement in some other states. The proposal would also create a nine-member board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders to monitor elevator-safety issues.

STYLISH RESIDENTIAL TOWER FOR POPULAR NYC NEIGHBORHOOD

New York YIMBY has revealed renderings showing a stylish residential tower designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill at 1865 Broadway in New York City (NYC). With a concrete façade, a parapet at 417.5 ft. and four floors of retail, the building promises to be part of a pedestrian resurgence of the area. AvalonBay Communities is the developer. A construction timeframe has not been announced, but demolition of the former American Bible Society building is foreseen as imminent. The site is across the street from 15 Central Park West, also known as Limestone Jesus, a fashionable address for celebrities.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-5-2015/

OTIS PRESIDENT REITERATES COMMITMENT TO CHINA

Otis President Philippe Delpech reiterated the OEM's commitment to China during a recent visit, stating the company plans to focus on growth opportunities related to infrastructure and high-rise residential development, particularly in second- and third-tier cities, China Daily reports. With persistent safety concerns and recent studies showing that 84% of elevator/escalator malfunctions are caused by poor installation and maintenance, Otis plans to additionally focus on service by adding 1,000 to 1,500 mechanics per year and working with the government to address service quality issues.

SINGAPOREAN OUTFIT EYES MELBOURNE FOR “BOW-TIE” TOWER

Tong Eng Group of Singapore has its sights set on Melbourne, Australia, for a 65-story, 210-m-tall building designed by Elenberg Fraser with an interesting bow-tie footprint and colorful, shimmery envelope, Urban Melbourne reports. Tong Eng would retain the façade of a historic building at 111-125 A'Beckett Street in the Central Business District. It is set to contain more than 630 apartments and several floors of retail at the lower levels. Tinted, glazed glass would create a vertical transition to a multicolored appearance. The approval process is still underway, but city officials express optimism pending a few design adjustments.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/november-5-2015

WOMAN INJURED IN FALL DOWN NYC ELEVATOR SHAFT

A 50-year-old woman fell 6 ft. down an elevator shaft at a hotel in Midtown New York City early on November 1, the New York Post reported. Emergency crews rushed to the location around 4 a.m. after the incident. It was unclear whether the victim was a guest, visitor or worker. She was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

ESCALATORS SHOWCASED IN NEW HUDSON YARDS RENDERINGS

In light of securing tenant KKR & Co. for 343,000 sq. ft. on the top 10 floors of its 90-story office tower, 30 Hudson Yards, developers Related Cos. and Oxford Properties have released new renderings, some of which show the building's vertical-transportation system, New York YIMBY reports. The images are by architect Kohn Pedersen Fox, and show escalators carrying passengers to a white-marbled elevator lobby. Private equity firm KKR follows anchor tenant Time Warner into 30 Hudson Yards, scheduled for completion in 2020.

67-STORY TOWER PLANNED IN LONDON’S CANARY WHARF

Greenland Group of Shanghai plans to build a 67-story, 240.5-m-tall residential tower at the western end of the north dock in London's Canary Wharf, Construction Enquirer reports. It is set to take shape on a site previously approved for a 63-story commercial tower, until Greenland's plans superseded it. HOK is the architect, and construction is expected to take between four and five years. The building has a cloverleaf shape meant to maximize views for the nearly 900 residences within. Should it be built, it will be among the tallest residential buildings in Europe.

CEA EVENTS NEWS

The Chicago Elevator Association (CEA) has made several announcements on its upcoming events. First is the November 5 dinner at The Clubhouse in Oak Brook Illinois, with a guest speaker from GAL Manufacturing Corp. Next is its annual Christmas party, set for December 2. Its January 7, 2016, meeting is cancelled, and details for a February 4, 2016, meeting are to be determined. For more information and updates, visit the CEA website.

Check out the Editor's Overview for the November 2015 issue online at http://www.elevatorworld.com/magazine/editors-overview-safety-awareness/.

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

HYATT HOUSE HOTEL TOPS OUT IN NYC

A 32-story, 300-ft.-tall Hyatt House hotel at 101 West 28th Street in New York City (NYC) has topped out, and exterior work is almost complete, New York YIMBY reports. The building was designed by Nobutaka Ashihara and features floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed floorplates, setbacks at the crown and wraparound windows on the north corners. Set to contain approximately 150 rooms and apartment-style suites, the building is situated on edge of several NYC neighborhoods, including NoMad (North of Madison Square Park), the Flower District, Chelsea and Midtown South.

“SKINNY SHARD” PLANNED IN WEST LONDON

Irvine Sellar, the real-estate mogul behind The Shard in London, now has his sights set on Paddington in West London, where he hopes to build a 65-story, 224-m-tall mixed-use skyscraper that promises to revitalize a neglected area, the Evening Standard reports. Scheduled for completion in 2020 if approved, the cylindrical, crystal-like tower at 31 West London Street would have residences, offices, upper-floor restaurants and a rooftop garden inspired by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the U.K. The plan is being backed by Singapore's Hotel Properties. The structure was designed by Renzo Piano. If built, it will be among the tallest in the city.

NAESA ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPENING

The executive committee of NAESA International is searching for candidates to fill the executive director’s position, a full-time, salaried position. Interested individuals may send a hard copy or electronic letter expressing their interest along with a resume or curriculum vitae that details education, experience and participation in codes and standards committees. Candidates should display strong, working knowledge of code development, the enforcement process, inspector-certification history, activity within NAESA, vertical-transportation equipment and computer operations. Hard copies should be mailed to the NAESA Executive Office, P.O. Box 640, Rochester, Washington 98579, and electric copies emailed to Emerald McGehee at [email protected].

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

HIGH-RISE APARTMENT TOWERS TO OVERLOOK MANHATTAN

Construction is expected to start in the first part of 2016 on 30- and 40-story apartment towers on the East River in Brooklyn overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Real Estate Weekly reports. To take shape in the Greenpoint area, the towers are part of a 22-acre site master planned by Handel Architects and James Corner Field Operations. The buildings will contain approximately 780 units of a planned 5,500 if the project is fully built. Completion of the towers -- representing phase one -- is scheduled for 2019. Brookfield Property Partners is the developer in a joint venture with Park Tower Group.

FIRST CONVICTION UNDER 2012 HONG KONG LIFT LAW

The party responsible for the elevator system in the 44-story residential tower Chak Mei House in Hong Kong has been convicted of allowing passengers to ride a lift that lacked a valid use permit, representing the first time for a conviction under the 2012 law, 7th Space Interactive reports. The violator faces a fine of up to US$12,903. The law requires that lifts be inspected by a registered engineer every 12 months and that responsible parties arrange for an inspection two months prior to a current permit’s expiration. The engineer then signs a document stating the lift is safe to use. The Hong Kong government said it plans to continue to enforce the law.

FIVE YEAR OLD FALLS OFF ESCALATOR AT RUSSIAN MALL

Various newspapers, including the Daily Mail, reported on October 27 that a five-year-old girl playing on an escalator at a mall in Novy Urengoy, Russia, fell two stories to the floor below. She sustained only minor injuries and is expected to fully recover. The incident was captured on video. It shows the child repeatedly grabbing onto the revolving handrail at the bottom of an “up” escalator, then being pulled upward and falling over the side. Her adult chaperone grabbed the child’s arm but was unable to hold onto her.

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

THYSSENKRUPP UNVEILS MAX TECHNOLOGY

During a gala event in New York City (NYC) on October 27, ThyssenKrupp unveiled MAX, predictive maintenance technology that remotely monitors and collects data into the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and utilizes intricate algorithms to determine problems and equipment’s expected lifespan and issue preemptive repair notifications. The company is rolling out MAX in phases, with 180 units expected to be installed by 2017 in North America and Europe. The U.S., Germany and Spain are serving as pilot countries, with other key countries in Europe, Asia and South America following shortly thereafter. In two years, ThyssenKrupp expects MAX to be available to approximately 80% of elevators worldwide.

NEW LOWER MANHATTAN LANDMARK NEARS COMPLETION

The 63-story, 784-m-tall residential tower at 50 West Street in southwest Lower Manhattan is approaching exterior completion and expected to open in 2016, New York YIMBY reports. The building was designed by Helmut Jahn and features a glassy façade that facilitates impressive views of the harbor, Hudson River, New Jersey, World Trade Center and Financial District. It promises to be the fourth-tallest residential tower in downtown Manhattan and will join northern neighbors 30 Park Place and 56 Leonard.

IN MEMORIAM: JEROME “JERRY” MATTY

Jerome "Jerry" Matty, owner/operator of Advanced Elevator Co. and Northern Illinois Elevator Inspection Co., passed away on October 1 at the age of 76. Matty lived in Aurora, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Madelynn, Megan, Heather, Correa and Holly; and six grandchildren. Colleague Tom Sybert stated: "It was always nice to see [Matty] at industry events. He was a cheerfully optimistic guy who enjoyed working in the elevator trade." Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/october-28-2015-2/

LERCH BATES (CHINA) LTD. ADDS THREE TO STAFF

Lerch Bates (China) Ltd., a subsidiary based in Shanghai, has added three to its staff. Stanley Zhao has been named project consultant, Elevator Consulting Group; Tian Qui, office manager; and Wenting Jiang, administrative assistant. Zhao is managing and supporting vertical-transportation analysis, project design, domestic high-rise construction sales and bidding. He previously was a high-rise project sales and support supervisor for ThyssenKrupp Elevator in Shanghai. Qiu's duties include project proposal preparation, contract administration and accounting. She is a graduate of the University of Essex and Qingdao Technological University. Jing recently worked for Aedas as a project secretary, supporting the firm's design team and managing communications materials including project design briefs, positioning reports and local design codes.

DEAN JOINS LECS

LECS (UK) Ltd. has announced that Lee Dean has joined the practice as manager, major modernization and new installation projects. He previously served as project manager at LSL. David Cooper, director of LECS (UK), said he is pleased his practice was able to attract a qualified engineer with a wealth of experience.

LIFTS PLANNED AT TWO BUSY INDIA RAILWAY STATIONS

Railway officials are planning to install two lifts each at the Pune and Kolhapur railway stations in India, The Times of India reports. The units are expected to commence operations in April 2016. They will be at platforms 2/3 and 4/5 at the Pune station and at the old foot overbridge at Kolhapur. They are expected to enhance passenger flow at the stations, which are busy. At the Pune station, for example, approximately 100,000 passengers and 150 trains pass through each day.

EW FOCUSES ON TRAFFIC ANALYSIS IN JANUARY

ELEVATOR WORLD will kick off its 2016 issues with a focus on traffic analysis, including destination control and dispatch, in January. The deadline for submissions is November 16. The issue will also include the winners of the popular EW Project of the Year contest and be distributed at the Liftech Expo in Cairo. To participate or for more information, contact the EW Editorial Department at phone: (251) 479-4514, ext. 30 or email: [email protected].