Elevator World

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

OTIS LAUNCHES EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CoE IN DETROIT

On the heels of announcing its newest elevator platforms, Otis said in July it is opening a new Embedded Systems Center of Excellence (CoE) in the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills, Michigan. Currently composed of approximately 12 Otis colleagues, the CoE will be “a global hub for innovation in model-based design, advanced control software, automated testing and electronic safety systems at Otis.” The new facility will help the OEM transform its offerings by adding electronics and other software-rich digital and connected technologies to its line of elevators and escalators, such as its new elevator platforms, Gen3™ and Gen360™. Much of this technology has been used to develop safety-critical systems including touchless user interfaces, drive-by-wire and ABS braking. The Detroit CoE is part of Otis’ global engineering organization and will work on projects on a worldwide scale in collaboration with other engineering centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Image credit: courtesy of Otis

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

SINGAPORE TO PAY BONUSES TO VT TECHNICIANS

Channel News Asia reports that Singapore's Tripartite Cluster for Lift and Escalator (TCLE) announced in July that vertical-transportation (VT) technicians in the country will receive mandatory bonuses of at least a month’s pay beginning in 2023. The bonuses represent updates to the progressive wage model (PWM) for the sector. TCLE also agreed to extend the existing lift PWM to cover escalator maintenance workers in 2022. In 2018, the VT industry adopted a voluntary PWM transitional wage benchmark, which mapped a schedule of minimum basic wages from 2020 to 2022. This was to give the industry time to adjust. In 2022, PWM adoption will be a mandatory registration requirement with the Building and Construction Authority for all VT maintenance firms.

Image credit: by Idyshah 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

NEW EMIGRATION HALL OPENS AT AIRPORT IN SRI LANKA

A new “Emigration Hall” opened at the departure passenger terminal in the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Sri Lanka, ColomboPage reports. The terminal was renovated under the BIA Terminal 1 expansion project, and 23 emigration counters have been added, allowing passengers to avoid congestion and reach their destinations without hassle. Two new escalators with three additional floors and a new elevator were among the upgrades installed at the terminal. Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga and Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa opened the terminal on July 15.

Image credit: by Cherubino 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

PROVINCETOWN INCLINED ELEVATOR INSPECTION CONTINUES

The newly constructed inclined elevator at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is still going through inspections after being declared fully functional in April, the Cape Cod Times reports. “We’ve learned elevator controllers and elevator safety is quite rigorous,” said K. David Weidner, executive director of the monument and museum. “'Safety first,’ is our motto.” The elevator, known as the Bradford Access Project, is designed to use a 162-ft length of double rails to bring the 3000-lb glass cab, with up to 18 people at a time, up from Bradford Street to the top of High Pole Hill, which is approximately 85-ft high, in 2 min. This elevator is the first of its size and magnitude in the Commonwealth, the source reports. The project is going through a series of pre-inspections by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations. The board regulates the construction, installation and operation of all elevators in the state. Weidner told the Engineering News Record that the addition of the conveyance is expected to boost revenue by as much as 50%. The museum has averaged up to 100,000 visitors annually. Work began in 2020 and it was intended to be operational in May 2021.

Image credit: by Michaela Chesin for the Provincetown Banner

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

D&D ELEVATOR ELEVATES KEY EMPLOYEES TO MANAGEMENT ROLES

Yonkers, New York-based D&D Elevator, an American Elevator Group company, announced two key promotions: Deborah Yanno, who has been with D&D 15 years and previously served as modernization manager, is now vice president, and Eric Dettmering, who has been with the company 30 years and previously served as modernization supervisor, is now modernization manager. Of Yanno, D&D President Michael Bonardi said, "We value her leadership and look forward to having her more involved in strategic decision-making." Of Dettmering, he said, "Eric has truly grown with the business, and it's been fantastic to see him accept new opportunities, take on new responsibility and continue into a management position." The moves are part of a series of internal transitions within D&D after Bonardi became president in August 2020 and Bobby Shaeffer shifted to a multifaceted leadership position.

Image credit: by Tumisu 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 Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts: www.matot.com

ELEVATOR INDUSTRY LAUNCHES FIFTH COVID-19 SURVEY

Elevator World, Inc.; the German elevator association VFA Interlift e.V.; and fair organizer AFAG, in association with Credit Suisse, are launching a fifth survey of elevator industry representatives on current industry status and anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on business. Results of the fourth survey were released in early June and revealed that outlook improved to net positive and employment prospects remained healthy, while assessment of the competitive situation remained unchanged. The survey received nearly 400 responses, compared with 600 in the third iteration, 572 in the second and 550 in the first. For the fourth iteration, Credit Suisse Managing Director and Head of European Capital Goods Equity Research André Kukhnin assisted with preparation of a chart analysis, including breakdowns by country, of the results, including responses on the risk of rising raw materials costs to businesses in 2021.To participate in the latest survey, click here.

Image credit: courtesy by Gerd Altmann 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 Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts: www.matot.com

CAMPAIGN RECOGNIZES EFFORTS OF VT PERSONNEL IN INDIA

International Sourcing Exposition for Elevators & Escalators (ISEE), an industry event being held in Mumbai, has launched the “ELEVATOR MECHANICS – You Keep the World Moving” public campaign to recognize the work of elevator personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Print reports. The campaign is in response to the lack of recognition of those who work on lifts, elevators and escalators as essential service workers, meaning that these personnel rarely received priority for facilities and vaccinations or government support, according to the source. Some elevator mechanics were even charged with lockdown violations as they continued to work in different buildings to keep the elevators moving, and many would walk miles to attend to elevators due to not being able to use public or private transport. The source reports that some were infected and/or died due to these efforts. TAK Mathews of TAK Consulting said, “It is but a small step to urge the world to acknowledge the elevator mechanics, who, despite their tireless work during a difficult time, have been taken for granted.” The first step of the campaign was through outdoor media on billboards at premium and strategic locations in Mumbai. ISEE was originally scheduled for November 5 to 7, 2020. It will now be held on December 9, 10 and 11, 2021. For more information on the campaign or about ISEE, visit www.tak-expo.net.

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 Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts: www.matot.com

TK ELEVATOR ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT BOARD IN GERMANY

TK Elevator (TKE) has announced two new changes to its management board in Germany, effective October 1. Dr. Phillip Voet van Vormizeele will succeed Dr. Detlef Hunsdiek, who is retiring, in the position of chief human resources officer (CHRO), and will oversee HR and legal, compliance, data protection and labor relations. Kevin Lavallee will assume the position of chief operations officer (COO) with a responsibility for field operations in addition to his current role as CEO of the business unit of North America. TKE created this new position to focus on customers and digital innovation in the service business. “With the new structure and a dedicated position for COO Field on the TK Elevator GmbH Management Board, we believe that the company is well-positioned to continue its transformation process and head into a promising, value-driven and growth-oriented future," said Peter Walker, CEO of TKE.

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 Matot Dumbwaiters and Material Lifts: www.matot.com

KONE WINS 77-UNIT CONTRACT FOR CHANGSHA, CHINA, PROJECT

KONE has won an order for 77 units that will include elevators, escalators and moving walks for the two-tower Changsha Shengtong Meixi International Headquarters Center, the OEM announced on July 9. Changsha, capital of southern China’s Hunan Province, is welcoming the development to its CBD, on the shore of Meixi lake. The mixed-use towers will stand 279.5 m and 215.5 m and provide offices and residences for up to 7,000 people. KONE will supply 26 MiniSpace™ and 17 MonoSpace® elevators, 32 TravelMaster™110 escalators and two TravelMaster™115 moving walks. The contract also includes the company’s 24/7 Connected Services predictive-maintenance solution, as well as two years of standard maintenance. The project is being developed by Hunan Shengtong Real Estate Co. and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Image credit: courtesy of KONE

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

BROKEN VT IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE TRANSIT STATIONS AN ISSUE

A dozen escalators and one elevator in the four downtown stations of the Seattle transit tunnel remained broken as of the first week of July, Mass Transit reports. When 2021 began, 28 of the 58 escalators and elevators, all more than 30 years old, were inoperable at the stations when King County Metro handed over maintenance duties to Sound Transit. Sound Transit has hired a new contractor and budgeted US$8.7 million to nurse the old equipment along through 2023. Nearly all escalators will receive new step chains this year, and the first new escalators will arrive next year. The agency will replace every escalator over five to seven years, the biggest cost in its US$96-million tunnel-renovation budget. Replacement parts for the elevator should arrive this summer. But the source reports that full access to the train platforms will become essential by Oct. 2, when new Northgate, Roosevelt and University District stations attract opening-day riders, followed by Husky football and Kraken hockey fans. The University of Washington's fall semester and South Lake Union tech firms also will bring commuters back. When full demand returns, which could take years, the three new stations are projected to boost pre-COVID ridership of 80,000 daily trips to 125,000. Sound Transit has set a goal of 70% performance by the end of 2021.

Image credit: by Steve Morgan for Wikipedia

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

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