Elevator World

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

NIPPON OTIS TOUCHLESS ELEVATOR BUTTONS FOR SAPPORO FACTORY

As a COVID-19 infection-prevention measure, operators of the Sapporo Factory in Hokkaido, Japan, selected Nippon Otis to install touchless elevator buttons in the retail complex's elevators, Otis announced in October. Infrared sensors enable visitors to call elevators, open and close elevator doors and select destination floors by bringing a finger up to 2 cm in front of the sensor. Containing approximately 160 stores and restaurants, Sapporo Factory is a large commercial complex built on the site of the former Sapporo beer brewery, founded in Hokkaido in 1876. A top tourist attraction, its seven buildings feature brick architecture from the factory days and soaring atriums.

Image credit: courtesy of Sapporo Real Estate Co., Ltd.

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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 DoB PROPOSES MAJOR PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

NYC Department of Buildings (DoB) has proposed the voluntary Major Projects Development Program aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of tall-building and other major projects throughout the five boroughs, New York Construction Report was among outlets to report in October. Since the program was conceived under the DoB’s rule-making process, which relies on public input, a public hearing is set to be hosted by the department on November 22. Provided on a first-come, first-served basis and involving an unspecified fee, the program would be open to developers of proposed projects of at least 20 stories or 500,000 ft2 and alteration projects that add at least 100,000 ft2 to an existing structure, along with any others deemed eligible. Participating projects would receive help with zoning and code-compliance planning; phasing of filings, permits and occupancy; construction operations, site safety and public safety; and issuance of temporary and final certificates of occupancy. The plan has the support of both the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York and the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

Image credit: by Iris Vellejo 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

KONE ELEVATORS FOR TALLEST RESIDENTIAL SKYSCRAPER IN EU

Intempo, consisting of a pair of towers joined at the top by a cone-shaped structure and representing the tallest residential skyscraper in the European Union, has made its debut in Benidorm on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, KONE said in October on various social media platforms. "We're proud that we got to be a part of the development of this 47-story building. . .providing nine KONE elevators. Talk about amazing views!" the company said on LinkedIn and Facebook. Designed by Pérez-Guerras Arquitectos & Ingenieros and developed by UNIQ Residential, Intempo houses 256 residences. The project had a bumpy beginning (at one point a rumor circulated that it lacked elevator shafts) and changed ownership in 2019 after construction had halted. New owner SVP Global hired Dragados to handle construction, and the project was delivered in July 2021 after nearly 15 years of effort.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE via LinkedIn

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

KONE TO MODERNIZE SAN FRANCISCO TOWER'S 16 ELEVATORS

KONE has won an order for the modernization of all elevators and the installation of KONE Office Flow solutions in San Francisco’s historic Russ Building, a deal that represents the largest modernization in KONE Americas history, the company announced on October 27. It also includes California’s first installation of the Office Flow feature. The Russ Building, considered a San Francisco landmark, is located in the heart of the city’s Financial District. Standing 32 stories, the iconic tower contains a mix of 16 low-, mid- and high-rise elevators, all scheduled for modernization. With Office Flow, the elevators will employ a modular, connected solution that provides touch-free access with predictive elevator call. KONE Destination will improve the elevators’ convenience and efficiency. The company, which has had a long-standing relationship with the building, said the project is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE Americas

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

TOSHIBA JOHNSON ELEVATORS (INDIA) TO SUPPLY 168 ELEVATORS

Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) won orders to supply 168 elevators at three flagship projects of RMZ Corp., Telangana Today reports. Toshiba Johnson will install, maintain and operate 63 elevators at Nexity in Hyderabad, 35 elevators at RMZ Spire in Hyderabad and 70 elevators at RMZ Ecoworld 30 in Bengaluru. The company will supply its compact machine-room ELCOSMO-III-L elevators and machine-room-less SPACEL-III and SPACEL-III-L elevator series that incorporate various energy- and time-saving technologies. The company will also offer air purifiers in every lift, turnstile-mounted displays, integration with RMZ software for touchless car calling for the Destination Control System (DCS), and LCD displays with live-feed servers for all passenger lifts. The Elevator Management System allows for monitoring and controlling of elevators, the regenerative drive in all the lifts will optimize the power consumption, the roller guides offer low noise and smoother ride quality and the turnstile integration system in lifts with DCS will ensure seamless ingress and shorter dwelling time for passengers.

Image credit: courtesy of RMZ

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

IEES IN AMSTERDAM HAS ONE BOOTH AVAILABLE; REGISTRATION OPEN

The International Elevator & Escalator Symposium (IEES), scheduled on December 6-7 at Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, has one booth spot available as registration continues. Organized by Liftinstituut and ELEVATOR WORLD, IEES includes an expo and vertical-transportation (VT) experts presenting papers on “The Future of Vertical Transportation in 2030.” International VT executives from KONE, Otis and Schindler are among those scheduled to speak, as well as engineers and VT consultants from Europe, Japan, the Netherlands, North America, Turkey and the U.K. The event will culminate in a panel discussion on the future of VT moderated by John Van Vliet, managing director, Liftinstituut, and composed of Louis Bialy, founder of consultancy Louis Bialy & Associates; Rob Jue, director of New Installations, Schindler; Hilkka Hämäläinen, chief design engineer, KONE; European Federation for Elevator Small- and Medium-Enterprises President Massimo Bezzi; and Devrim Gecegezer, president of Genemek Lift Components. To inquire about booking the remaining booth, email IEES organizers.

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 is presented by Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts. Visit www.Matot.com to learn more

SAFETY AWARD PRESENTED TO DAVID COOPER

The 2021 Sir Moir Lockhead Safety Award, awarded by the Society of Operations Engineers, has been presented to Eur ing Prof. David Cooper in recognition of tangible improvements in safety, according to an announcement by The Lift & Escalator Consultancy (LECS) (UK) Ltd. According to the release, “Cooper has dedicated an excess of 30 years of his 40-year engineering career to improving the safety of lift and escalator passengers and engineers. His research, analysis and recommendations have had far-reaching impacts and resulted in the implementation of new safety measures around the world.” Cooper’s research into “falls over the sides of escalators by minors” prompted a hugely important change to the European standard, EN 115, where all escalator installations have new designs of guards installed. He also conducted detailed research into incidents, injuries and deaths caused by shopping and luggage carts on escalators, resulting in another significant update to EN 115. Cooper is managing director of LECS (UK), leading independent consultants in lifts, escalators and cable cars. He is also an active member of the Safety Assessment Federation and has co-authored some of the sector’s leading books on safety including “Elevator & Escalator Accident Reconstruction & Litigation,” “The Elevator & Escalator Micropedia” and “CIBSE Guide D transportation systems in buildings.” He is also the editor of ELEVATOR WORLD UK.

Image credit: courtesy of LECS

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 is presented by Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts. Visit www.Matot.com to learn more

NEW YORK-BASED USSG ACQUIRES NEW JERSEY-BASED TRANSCOPE

US Services Group, LLC (USSG), an industrial services company based in Deer Park, New York, announced on October 7 the acquisition of Randolph, New Jersey-based Transcope Services, LLC, a carrier specializing in transportation, warehousing, rigging and logistics, primarily for manufacturers and installers of elevators, escalators and moving walks. Founded in 1964, Transcope partners with domestic and international vertical-transportation (VT) companies on projects throughout the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas. The company receives VT equipment from manufacturers in a climate-controlled warehouse for storage and timely delivery to jobsites. Transcope President Mark Elfant plans to remain with the company on a consulting basis. Led by founder Steve Laganas, USSG is a national rigging and machinery-moving business that includes ABLE Rigging Contractors LLC. Other companies are in discussions about joining USSG. “Acquiring Transcope strengthens USSG's presence in the Northeast and expands our services into an attractive sector of rigging services,” Laganas said. “Expansion into new regions and new lines of business is a key component of USSG's growth strategy."

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 is presented by Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts. Visit www.Matot.com to learn more

ONTARIO TEACHERS’ TO BUY MAJORITY STAKE IN VANTAGE

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board announced on October 13 it has agreed to buy a majority stake in Bronx, New York-based Vantage Elevator Solutions from San Francisco's Golden Gate Capital (GGC), which acquired Vantage in 2017. GGC will retain significant minority ownership. Terms of the deal, expected to close by the end of 2021, were not disclosed. Composed of eight business units including GAL Manufacturing Company, GAL Canada, Hollister-Whitney and Courion, Vantage is the latest high-performing industrial business in which Ontario Teachers' has invested. Through five strategic acquisitions, Vantage has "driven exceptional growth. . .while maintaining its over-90-year legacy of delivering superior products and outstanding service to its large base of longstanding customers," GGC Managing Director Felix Lo said. Thanking GGC for its partnership since 2017 and saying he is pleased it will retain ownership, Vantage President and CEO Ron Cauchi said Ontario Teachers’ “strong track record investing in leading diversified industrial businesses, along with its active approach to value creation, make it a perfect fit for us."

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

HOOVER’S ROLE EXPANDS TO PRESIDENT OF BRONX-BASED ELTECH

C. Mark Boulhouwer, president of American Elevator Group (AEG), announced on October 11 the appointment of Michael Hoover as president of Bronx, New York-based Eltech Elevator, in addition to his current role as president of American Elevator & Machine Corp. (AEM). Hoover’s new role becomes effective on January 1, 2022. Patrick Kiely, Eltech’s incumbent president and co-founder, recently announced plans to step back from his current duties after 36 years. Kiely said he is “absolutely delighted” that Hoover is taking the leadership reins. Boulhouwer added that, “We are fortunate to have a wealth of talented leadership to draw upon to continue the work that Patrick and his co-founders began.” Eltech joined AEG in January 2021. AEM, founded in 1902 and based in Long Island City, New York, was acquired by Hoover’s father, Bob, and his partner in 1982. AEM joined AEG in August 2020.

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

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