Elevator World

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

BUOYED BY TECHNOLOGY, OTIS REFLECTS ON A “SOLID” FIRST HALF

In a second-quarter earnings call in late July, "solid" is how Otis CEO Judy Marks and Chief Financial Officer Rahul Ghai described the recently independent company's performance in the first half of 2020 — a year that presented challenges, mostly from the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis hasn't been all bad news for Otis: With continued business recovery in China and across the Asia-Pacific region (other than in India), the company is seeing interest in and demand for touchless and Internet of Things technology increase, although this isn't yet reflected by earnings, the Hartford Business Journal reported in August. In a pilot program, Otis recently installed gesture- and voice-activated elevator technology at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. A casino official says it is the first casino to do so, and Otis Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Chris Smith says he expects demand for such technology to increase worldwide, even after the pandemic. ELEVATOR WORLD plans to include a more in-depth look at Otis' year so far and expectations in our November 2020 issue.

Image credit: courtesy of Foxwoods Resort Casino

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

CORONAVIRUS FAILS TO SLOW DOWN WITTUR’S SPAIN FACTORY

Wittur will have safety precautions in place for at least the next several months, the elevator-door manufacturer tells ELEVATOR WORLD, but the pandemic failed to curtail 2020 production at its Zaragoza, Spain, factory, Heraldo reports. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the plant maintained orders 10% higher than what had previously been budgeted. Other than hiring 60 temporary workers over the summer to keep up with workload, it maintained a fixed workforce of 250. The plant counts among its major customers Schindler, Orona and Otis, for which it is fulfilling an order for elevator doors for three luxury cruise ships. Ninety percent of the doors produced at the factory are for export, which helped keep it aloft throughout the pandemic crisis.

Image credit: courtesy of Wittur

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

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

INDIAN STATE AMENDS LIFT LAW TO ENHANCE PASSENGER SAFETY

During a “Monsoon Session” on August 26, lawmakers in the northern Indian state of Haryana amended the Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act 2008 to allow elevator emergency rescue devices (ERDs) that include sufficient power backup, enabling them to operate during power outages, Outlook reports. The ERDs would be able to land on the desired floor and continue operating for at least 15 min. Approved during a session that was abbreviated due to a “sharp rise” in coronavirus cases in Haryana, the amendment was part of a raft of measures that included passage of bills aimed at stimulating the battered economy by providing tax relief, making certain processes more efficient and increasing borrowing limits.

Image credit: courtesy by Suppadeth Wongyeo for Pixabay

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

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

CHICAGO’S THIRD-TALLEST TOWER CLOSES IN ON FALL COMPLETION

Vista Tower, Chicago's third-tallest building at 101 stories and 1,191 ft, is headed for opening this fall, with finishing touches going onto the façade, Chicago YIMBY reports. Featuring gentle curves and a range of window colors to meet heat-load demands, the tower was designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang and developed by Magellan Group. Located at 375 East Wacker Drive at the mouth of the Chicago River, Vista Tower offers nearly 400 condominiums, from one bedroom to full-floor penthouses, starting on the 71st floor. Amenities include a fitness center, a golf simulator, outdoor terrace space and a demonstration kitchen. There will also be parking for 346 vehicles.

Image credit: courtesy by Jack Crawford for Chicago YIMBY

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

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

ARCLINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INVESTS IN KENCOR

Arcline Investment Management, a private-equity firm with offices in San Francisco and NYC, announced today it has invested Kencor Elevator Systems, headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and providing modernization, maintenance, repair and new installation across the Mid-Atlantic region. The announcement comes on the heels of Arcline’s investment in and acquisition of D&D Elevator and Jersey Elevator. Kencor was founded in 1981 by Richard Kennedy, who will remain as a consultant. Karen Kennedy, CEO and Richard Kennedy’s daughter, said the company remains committed to quality and customer service and that Arcline’s investment will provide Kencor employees opportunities for further growth and development. Speaking on behalf of Arcline, which has US$1.5 billion in committed capital in companies, C. Mark Boelhouwer observed, “Kencor Elevator is highly regarded, with a strong reputation for exceptional customer service. The addition of the company to Arcline’s elevator-services portfolio significantly expands our regional coverage and perfectly complements our other portfolio companies — in particular, Jersey Elevator and D&D.”

Image credit: courtesy of Kencor

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

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

HITACHI SUPPLYING 88 UNITS TO WUHAN, CHINA, METRO

Hitachi Elevator (China) Co., Ltd. has won a contract to provide 22 elevators and 66 escalators to section 2 of Line 16 of the Wuhan, China, Metro, the company announced on August 25. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and serious flooding, construction of the Wuhan's rail transit system has continued, and construction of all stations on Line 16 has begun. Line 16 is a high-speed light rail line that connects the Hannan District with Wuhan's main business districts. It has 12 stations along its 32.4 km (12.7 km of which are underground). Five of the stations are elevated and seven are below ground. Regular service is expected to begin in 2021. Hitachi has provided more than 540 escalators to Wuhan Metro's Lines 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8, including four of its model EX-BPG with a lifting height of 22.4 m, the highest in central China.

Image credit: courtesy by Brian19891003 for Wikipedia

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

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

70-PLUS-STORY BUILDINGS NOW ALLOWED IN FIVE INDIAN CITIES

The maximum allowed height of buildings in five cities in the Indian state of Gujarat — Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Gandhinagar — has jumped from 23 to 70-plus stories since the state government amended building regulations, Live Mint reports, citing Press Trust of India. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the new rules will ensure "optimum utilization of land and, eventually, help in lowering the prices of houses." Applicable to towers exceeding 100 m in height, the amended regulations require structures 100-150 m tall to have a 2,500-m2 plot, and those taller than 150 m, a 3,500-m2 plot. A special committee will be formed to approve projects.

Image credit: courtesy by Sgmanna for Wikipedia

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

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

LUXURY CONDO TOWER PLANNED FOR HOUSTON'S RIVER OAKS AREA

A developer is planning a luxury high-rise condominium building in Houston's River Oaks area, Community Impact reported on August 17. The Paramount, a 25-story tower, will have 50 residences ranging from 1,800 to 6,500 ft2, with prices starting at US$1.055 million. Units will feature 11-ft ceilings and private elevator entry. Other planned amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 24-hr concierge service, valet parking, a grand lobby and lounges. The tower was designed by father-daughter team Randall and Natalie Davis in partnership with Power Brown Architecture. Developer Randall Davis Co. plans to break ground in late 2020 or early 2021, and completion is targeted for late 2021.

Image credit: courtesy of Randall Davis Co.

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

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

VT EQUIPMENT AT ATLANTA AIRPORT FACILITY GETS A BOOST

The Atlanta City Council approved an additional US$3 million for elevator and escalator maintenance at the Rental Car Center at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Aviation Pros reported on August 18, citing The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The funds include US$1 million for a technician to be on hand 16 hr a day, 365 days year to handle elevator entrapments and malfunctioning escalators. Connected to the airport via the Sky Train, the Rental Car Center opened in 2009, and its elevators and escalators have experienced “frequent failures.”

Image credit: courtesy from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

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

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

NYC HARD ROCK'S EXTERIOR SHOWS QUICK PROGRESS

The glass curtain wall on NYC's Hard Rock Hotel has nearly reached the top of the 35-story structure, a milestone that points to the speed with which the Times Square tower has come together, New York YIMBY reported on August 17. The 442-ft-tall, 291,000-ft2 tower being developed by Extell and Hard Rock International will bring 446 guest rooms and a list of amenities that includes two entertainment venues, meeting spaces, 24-hr dining options, a fitness center and a rooftop lounge. Set at 159 West 48th Street, the building's lower half is wrapped in dark reflective glass, and metal framework forms the perimeter of the multistory podium. Once complete, a crown of tall, blank walls will display a lighted Hard Rock logo. The elevators are being provided by Schindler, and the custom cabs are by Elevator Interior Design. SLCE Architects is listed as the design and executive architect for the tower, which is scheduled for completion in 2022.

Image credit: courtesy of Berg + Moss

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

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