Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

KONE WINS 95-UNIT ORDER FOR MIXED-USE PROJECT IN XI'AN, CHINA

KONE has won a contract to supply 95 elevators and escalators for Nanfeihong Plaza, a mixed-use development in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province in Northwest China, the company announced on October 20. The 470,000-m2 development, centered in Xi'an's Yanta district, will include a shopping mall, a boutique hotel and two Class-A office towers that will stand 196.2 and 134.6 m and sport a design inspired by Hua Shan mountain, a nearby peak considered one of the five great mountains of China. KONE will supply the project with 25 MiniSpace™ and 25 MonoSpace® elevators, and 43 TravelMaster™ 110 and two TravelMaster 115 escalators. The buildings will also be equipped with KONE's Destination Control System and E-link™, which will enable centralized, real-time monitoring of all the equipment. Nanfeihong Plaza, being developed by Xi'an Yancheng Real Estate Co., is projected for completion in 2022.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

EFESME MEETING DISCUSSES EUROPEAN INDUSTRY

In its October newsletter, the European Federation for Elevator Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EFESME) reported on a September 17 meeting to discuss the evolving COVID-19 crisis and take stock of projects and initiatives by EFESME, member associations and authorities at a national level. President Massimo Bezzi opened with a speech on the current situation in Europe, noting an emerging optimism, with the industry showing resilience and solidity. ANACAM (Italian elevator association) had an issue with the lack of condominium meetings due to strict lockdown rules but expects high growth in new orders when this problem is solved, especially since state incentives have been allocated to residential building renovation. Representatives also spoke on the association's upcoming expo, ANACAM 2020, taking place December 2-4 at the Milan Marriott Hotel. FEPYMA (Spanish lift association) representatives said Spain has the same problem of suspended condominium meetings, but the national government has been asked to regulate and organize digital versions.

Image credit: by Mabel Amber for Pixabay

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

BLANKENBILLER NAMED NEII EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Blankenbiller, formerly National Elevator Industry, Inc.'s (NEII) vice president of government affairs since 2009, stepped into the executive director role on October 16. Formerly, she was president and founder of consulting firm AjB Strategies, LLC, working with associations, organizations and private businesses to implement government policy strategies, and president of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Blankenbiller spent more than 20 years in the Washington, D.C., area, where she worked on federal and state policy efforts and association-management issues. She received an appointment from President George H.W. Bush and served in his administration, working on Capitol Hill for both a U.S. representative and a senator. NEII President Greg Ergenbright said Blankenbiller will lead the organization "to advance safety, strengthen relationships and promote innovation." NEII's board of directors and Ergenbright thanked NEII's outgoing president, Karen Penafiel, for her contributions over the past four years, including assembling a "top-notch" staff, spearheading development of a professional website and new branding and overseeing a strong advocacy program.

Image credit: by analogicus for Pixabay

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

TOWER CONTRACT IN DUBAI REFLECTS MARKET RESILIENCY

DAMAC Properties awarded a US$49.2-million construction contract to Trans Emirates Contracting for the 26-story Zada residential tower in Dubai's Business Bay, Construction Week reports. DAMAC said the award is a testament to a strong business model that has been able to withstand the effects of COVID-19. Units within Zada are priced at US$190,582 and include certain fees being waived. Sales are strong throughout Dubai, with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) reporting an 11.3% increase in sales in August 2020 compared to August 2019. According to DLD, attractive pricing and travel restrictions have been key in market resiliency.

Image credit: by analogicus for Pixabay

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

HITACHI PROMOTES MAINTENANCE DURING GUANGZHOU EVENT

Hitachi Elevator (China) held an event in Guangzhou, China, in September to promote upgraded service solutions and products using the Internet of Things, the company reported. China’s maintenance market is expected to exceed CNY80 billion (US$11.8 billion) within five years, and government officials are pressing all elevator stakeholders to offer on-demand maintenance. Hitachi Elevator's General Manager of Engineering Xu Junjie told the gathering his company is developing a maintenance portfolio that uses remote inspection and other technology to reduce manpower and hours needed for management of its approximately 380,000-unit service portfolio. Also during the event, Hitachi discussed LGE-E, a modular elevator designed for installation in China's aging housing stock, and noted the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary that has received approval to offer engineering and construction services for adding elevators to older buildings. The company noted a range of upgrade solutions, including pit flood operation, multibeam light curtains, AI cameras, regenerative energy systems and more. Finally, Hitachi used the event to showcase BIVALE, a cloud-based integrated building-management system that uses 5G and AI to provide such services as environmental monitoring and security.

Image credit: courtesy of Hitachi Elevator (China)

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

TfL RENDERINGS SHOW UNDERGROUND STATION

Transport for London (TfL) has published renderings showing the entrance and ticket hall for the Elephant & Castle Underground Station, a project set for completion in the late 2020s, LondonSE1 reported on October 9. Based on the images, passengers will be able to reach their trains by either escalator or elevator. The Tube station is being planned in conjunction with the extension of the Bakerloo line. The source reports that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed TfL's final approval of the plan, but in a move to keep the project on track, local officials have approved demolition of the Elephant & Castle shopping center, set to begin in October. However, construction work cannot start until TfL enters a binding agreement to complete the station, which is not expected until March 2021. TfL has set completion for 2029, but project developer Delancey is pressing for the station to be ready by fall 2028.

Image credit: courtesy of TfL

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

KONE WINS 72-UNIT DEAL FOR BANGKOK METRO PROJECT

KONE has been awarded a deal for 72 elevators and escalators for Contract E3 of the Bangkok metro MRT Orange Line (East Section) project, the company announced on October 9. KONE will supply three stations, from Yaek Lam Sali to Khlong Ban Ma, as well as three intervention shafts, with 17 MonoSpace® elevators and 55 TransitMaster™ 120 escalators. They will be connected to KONE's E-Link™ monitoring system. In total, the Orange line spans 39.8 km and has 28 stations (21 underground). The project is owned by Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, and the general contractor is Italian-Thai Development Co. Ltd.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

HIGH-RISE MARRIOTT HOTEL NEAR TOPPING OUT IN CHELSEA

Construction on a Marriott hotel in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood is nearing topping out, New York YIMBY reported on October 6. The 39-story tower at 113 West 24th Street, designed by Stonehill & Taylor Architects and developed by Lam Generation, will stand 420 ft tall with 360 rooms. The building's reinforced concrete superstructure is only a few floors below the parapet, and much of the glass curtain wall has been installed. With a total 136,700 ft2, the tower will have 10 guest rooms per level from the fourth to the 41st floor and feature a rooftop bar. A finalized rendering has not been released, and a completion date has not been announced.

Image credit: by Michael Young for New York YIMBY

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

NYC-BASED CHAMPION ELEVATOR ACQUIRES WESTECH ELEVATOR

NYC-based Champion Elevator has acquired Westech Elevator Services Inc. of White Plains, New York, Champion CEO Donald Gelestino announced on October 7. The move is part of an expansion strategy for which multiple millions of dollars have been set aside, Gelestino says. With more than 40 employees and 775 units under contract, Westech was established in 2004 by Lucas Kairdolf and Yamil Quinones. The company specializes in mid-market elevators and, according to Champion, is "a trusted provider" of elevator service, repair, modernizations and inspections in the New York area. Gelestino says Champion is working to identify additional partnership opportunities in order to join forces with "like-minded entrepreneurs. . .who share our unique vision to provide the best employee experience combined with honest, transparent elevator service."

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com

NEARLY 300 THYSSENKRUPP UNITS FOR ISTANBUL METRO LINES

thyssenkrupp Elevator is providing 293 units to two new Istanbul metro lines: 71 elevators, 216 heavy-duty victoria escalators and six moving walks. The equipment will serve stations along the Atakoy-Ikitelli and Kirazli-Babirkoy Istanbul Deniz Otobusleri (IDO) lines, including 19 stations across 28 km. Scheduled for completion in 2022, the lines will be able to accommodate 105,000 passengers per hour, providing connections between the Metrobus fast-transit line connecting Istanbul’s European side from east to west, as well as between the Marmary, Basaksehir-Kirazli and Aksaray Airport metro lines. Forty-five elevators, 116 escalators and six moving walks will be provided for the Atakoy-Ikitelli stations, and 25 elevators and 100 escalators will be provided for the Kirazli-Bakirkoy IDO stations. thyssenkrupp Elevator observes it has delivered approximately 70% of the units serving the Istanbul metro.

Image credit: courtesy of thyssenkrupp Elevator

To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn