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

KONE ESCALATOR ORDER FOR STOCKHOLM METRO LINE EXTENSION

KONE recently won an order to deliver 20 escalators to phase one of an extension of the metro line in Stockholm, Sweden, the OEM announced on June 4. One of the capital city's largest infrastructure projects, the work will add 4 km and two stations to the Blue Line in the Barkarby District, northwest of Stockholm. The order consists of eight TransitMasterTM 140 and 12 TransitMaster 190 units. Installation is scheduled in 2022, ahead of the expanded line opening in 2026. The extension will enable metro travel through the growing areas of Nacka, Barkarby and Arenastaden. KONE observes that Stockholm has an annual population increase of approximately 40,000, and that Barkarbystaden, which the extension will serve, is a “whole new residential area being built with some 18,000 new apartments and commercial spaces.”

Image credit: courtesy of KONE

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

SCHINDLER TO PROVIDE 160 UNITS TO MECCA GATEWAY PROJECT

In partnership with NESMA of Saudi Arabia, Schindler will deliver and install 160 elevators and escalators to King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR), one of the largest urban-development projects in the Persian Gulf. The units will help move people between some of the busiest landmarks in Mecca, including Al Haram Mosque (Great Mosque). KAAR, commonly referred to as the Mecca gateway project, will use bus, metro and high-speed train transportation to and from a central pedestrian boulevard that accommodates up to 100,000 people. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. The more-than-3.5-km-long, up-to-60-m-wide boulevard will be the new entrance to the city, allowing passage of visitors between the Great Mosque and a high-speed rail terminal in the city's west that links Jeddah and the King Abdul Aziz International Airport.

Image credit: courtesy of Schindler

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

IN MEMORIAM: MARIE McDONALD

Marie McDonald passed away on May 31 at her home in Walnut Creek, California. McDonald spent much of her life in San Francisco, where she made a name for herself in the industry. In the late 1950s, she was instrumental in forming what would become the first National Association of Women in Construction chapter on the U.S. West Coast. After learning she had a knack for sales at Dwan Elevator Co., McDonald in 1958 became the first woman in California to receive an elevator contractor's license. In 1977, she founded elevator-inspection firm McDonald Elevator Co. and was named the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce 1988 Entrepreneur of the Year. Cited by many elevator women as someone they model themselves after, McDonald was the recipient of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award in 2001. McDonald earned her QEI certification through NAESA International, and, in 1976, was elected to NAESA's board. In the mid 1980s, she became the first woman certified elevator inspector in the U.S. Through NAESA and other organizations, including NAEC and the Vertical Initiative for Elevator Escalator Women, McDonald forged many lifelong friendships. McDonald sold her company shortly after her beloved husband, John McDonald, passed away in 1989, and worked for Pacific Access Contractors in Redwood City, California, until her retirement in 2013. After retirement, McDonald kept busy campaigning for local Democratic candidates and issues, reading and spending time with her family. Survivors include her children, Kimara, Lori and Adam.

Image credit: courtesy by Gerd Altmann for Pixabay

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OTIS SIGNS GENDER EQUALITY AGREEMENT IN SOUTH KOREA

On May 28, Otis Elevator Korea Vice President and Managing Director IS Cho signed the "Partnership for Inclusive Growth and Gender Equality" agreement with the South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Otis says it is the first construction company in the country to do so. More than 30% of Otis’ executives are women, including CEO Judy Marks. By 2022, Otis aims to increase this to 35%, with a focus on hiring women in the engineering, sales and maintenance departments. To prevent an opportunity gap, Otis Korea encourages measures such as flexible work hours and partners taking childcare leave. The company also offers training, workshops, cultural campaigns and mentorship programs through its in-house Women’s Council.

Image credit: courtesy of Otis

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

UNITED TO BE VIRTUAL ONLY

The 2020 United Convention and Exposition, previously scheduled for Houston on September 13-16, will now be a virtual-only event sometime in September. Organizer National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) said it is working with vendors and technical experts "to create a robust industry event that is entirely provided through an online platform that meets the needs of the exhibitors and the attendees." It will focus on the key objectives of providing compelling peer-to-peer interaction opportunities, offering innovative educational presentations and facilitating supplier and contractor connections with a virtual tradeshow floor. The other organizers are the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association, Elevator U and the International Association of Elevator Consultants.

Image credit: courtesy of NAEC

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CHICAGO COUNCIL APPROVES PLAN FOR NEW SUPERTALL

The Chicago City Council has approved developers' plans for the construction of Tribune Tower East, a 102-story skyscraper that will be the city's second-tallest building, CBS Chicago reported on May 20. The mixed-use tower, standing 1,442 ft, will bring 564 condominium units and apartments, a 200-room hotel and a 687-space parking garage to the site, currently a parking lot at Lower Michigan Avenue and Lower Illinois Street. The glass-and-steel tower just east of the iconic Tribune Tower will be the centerpiece of the US$700-million project, but other improvements to the area would include renovation of Pioneer Court Plaza to create green space, outdoor seating and a new pathway to the nearby Cityfront Plaza. Construction is expected to begin in late 2021 or early 2022, but a target date for completion was not given.

Image credit: courtesy of CIM Group and Golub & Company

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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 WINS ORDER FOR 200-PLUS UNITS FOR BEIJING METRO

KONE has won an order to provide more than 200 units of vertical-transportation equipment for the new Metro Line 17 in Beijing, the company announced on May 28. The 49.7-km-long Line 17 will be entirely underground and have 21 stations. It will connect the Beijing Future Science Park in Changping to Yizhuang in southeast Beijing. Ten of the stations will connect with other lines on the Beijing Metro, the longest and busiest metro system in the world. KONE will provide 61 MonoSpace® elevators throughout the line and 143 TransitMaster™ 140 escalators for eight of the stations, from Panjiayuan Market West to Yizhuang South. The project, designed by the China Railway Electrification Survey Design & Research Institute, is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE

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

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HIGH-SPEED HYUNDAI UNIT USES CARBON FIBER BELTS

Hyundai Elevator has developed a high-speed elevator using carbon fiber belts instead of traditional ropes, BusinessKorea reported on May 22. According to the company, the innovation marks the world's first elevator with carbon fiber belts. It can travel at 1,260 m/min, or 21 m/s. The report said the belt weighs only one-sixth the weight of metal ropes, which the company said allows the new elevator to travel beyond 1,000 m. The report adds that the new elevator can use 30% less electricity than a traditional elevator. The company said the system can operate safely in windy or earthquake conditions, and a special coating doubles the life of the belts. It has a streamlined car that reduces air resistance, thus improving ride comfort and stability.

Image credit: courtesy of Hyundai Elevator

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

GREENERY-CLAD TOWER GREENLIT IN LONDON DESPITE CONCERN

A 36-story, nearly 500-ft-tall office tower designed by Eric Parry Architects at 50 Frenchurch Street in central London has been greenlit by the City of London Corp.'s Planning and Transportation Committee, despite opponents who contend it will block views of the historic Tower of London, The Architect's Newspaper reports. Clad in climbing plants on the south, north and east elevations with a green rooftop terrace, the tower will be the first structure in London "to incorporate greening on such a large scale," according to the city. Studies previously found it will not block Tower of London views, although it will affect views and shading of an adjacent Parry-designed building. On the drawing board are 645,000 ft2 of office space, 8,600 ft2 of retail and revitalization of a historic church tower and crypt.

Image credit: courtesy of Eric Parry Architects

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

CORONAVIRUS INDUSTRY UPDATE

ELEVATOR WORLD (EW) has been the vertical-transportation industry’s source for news and information for 67 years, and we aim to continue to be during the coronavirus pandemic affecting readers, advertisers, employees, contributors and associates around the world. With magazines in the U.S., India, the Middle East, Turkey, Europe and the U.K. and a strong online presence, EW has a wide reach. We will share your company news as often as it comes in, so please send it to us at email. Current updates include:

- Business Insider is among the latest publications to discuss elevators as coronavirus hotspots.

- Daily Mail published an article about Australia revising social-distancing requirements for elevators to prevent long waits and lines.

- Minnesota Elevator, Inc.’s (MEI) Milwaukee location donated 100 boxed lunches from Subway to caregivers at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital downtown, MEI said on LinkedIn.

Image credit: courtesy of ACDF Architecture and IBI Group

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

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