Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THYSSENKRUPP COMPLETES MAJOR MODERNIZATION IN ST. PAUL thyssenkrupp Elevator recently completed the modernization of the 14-unit vertical-transportation (VT) system serving Ecolab’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, the OEM announced on November 5. A provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions in 170 countries, Ecolab sought to modernize its recently purchased, 17-story tower to support a modern workforce with reliable, efficient VT. Prior to the modernization, elevators in the 1989 building frequently broke down, and the only way to reach the main lobby was via an escalator, creating challenges for disabled individuals. To solve this problem, a low-rise elevator was extended one floor down from the lobby. Westinghouse modular escalators were replaced with Velino models. Involving 12 elevators and two escalators, the project began in March 2019 and wrap

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com BIM SOFTWARE NOW INTEGRATES THYSSENKRUPP'S MULTI SYSTEM thyssenkrupp Elevator's MULTI system is now easier to integrate into building designs, thanks to DigiPara's automatic building information modeling (BIM) program, thyssenkrupp announced on November 4. Using DigiPara's lift design capabilities, building designers can now integrate MULTI early in the process. The new software enables 3D model configuration with only a few clicks, and designs and plans complete MULTI installations. In addition, architects’ requests for BIM models are now answered by one push of a button. MULTI is a ropeless system that allows multiple elevator cars within a single shaft and horizontal motion between shafts or other building configurations. DigiPara’s models can be uploaded and adjusted into 3D building models, which allows MULTI to be fitted perfectly into buildings, offering higher planning rel

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com CONVERSION OF CHICAGO'S TRIBUNE TOWER NEARING COMPLETION Work is close to wrapping up on the conversion of Chicago's landmark, 75-year-old Tribune Tower, the onetime home of its namesake newspaper that is about to see new life as a residential/retail high rise. According to a November 1 report by Chicago YIMBY, once open, the 34-story, 463-ft-tall tower will house 162 condominiums. Prices start at US$900,000 for a one-bedroom unit, going up to US$7.6 million for a four-bedroom residence. Homeowners will enjoy more than 55,000 ft2 of amenities, including a gym, a solarium, a billiards room, a golf simulator, a coworking lounge, 47,500 ft2 of retail space and more. Work on the conversion, at 435 North Michigan Avenue, is on track to complete within a few months, and will be followed by phase two, construction of a 1,422-ft-tall, 113-story sister tower to be Chicago's second-tallest

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com UNITED CABS LAUNCHES PODCAST CHANNEL Jamaica, New York-based United Cabs has begun “The Going Up Podcast,” a webcast series on its YouTube channel. With plans to discuss “all things related to the elevator industry” and serve as “a thought-collective of key suppliers, industry leaders and innovators — both large and small,” it has so far seen Victor Rosario, president of United Cabs, interview Tim Frank, president of Banker Wire, and Omar Pineda, general manager of HS Stone Gallery. Image credit: by Csaba Nagy 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 CHINA, ZHONGTIAN FINANCIAL ENTER PARTNERSHIP Hitachi Elevator (China) has entered into a partnership with Zhongtian Financial Group, a Guizhou, China, company focused on developing the surrounding region, Hitachi announced on October 29. Zhongtian has developed numerous projects in the areas of urban renewal, industry upgrading, urban construction and boutique real estate projects. Hitachi has worked with Zhongtian to develop multiple projects in Guizhou for several years, establishing itself as a leader in the region's elevator market. With their new association, officially established during an October 14 ceremony in Guiyang, the two companies have committed to a long-term strategic partnership to jointly support urbanization in Guizhou province. The companies' joint projects include Guizhou Zhongtian Financial City, for which Hitachi is supplying 81 elevators and six es

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com LONDON UNDERGROUND ESCALATORS GETTING UV TREATMENT Handrails on about 25% of the London Underground's escalators are being fitted with ultraviolet (UV) light devices to kill microbes, such as the coronavirus, Ian Visits reported on October 26. Aseptic Ltd.'s ClearWin, a self-powered sterilizer that uses the UV-C light wavelength to kill microbes, was tested at the Heathrow T123 Tube station and, as a result, Transport for London (TfL) decided to move forward with installing them at other stations. Plans call for the device to be fitted on 110 escalators at some of the system's busiest stations. TfL, which has been testing its escalators for the presence of the coronavirus, said it hopes the devices will encourage people to hold the handrails. Image credit: by IanVisits To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTun

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com TRIO OF KONE ELEVATORS FOR NEW PASSENGER FERRY A trio of KONE MonoSpace® elevators — two passenger and one service units — will be provided for Aurora Botnia, an 800-passenger ferry under construction at Rauna Marine Constructions shipyard in Finland, The Maritime Executive reports. Running on liquified natural gas and biogas, the vessel is "the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry currently under construction," the source said. Carrying passengers between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden, the Wasaline vessel is scheduled for completion in 2021. Features of the KONE machine-room-less elevator system include weather-resistant construction and EcoDisc® gearless traction technology that lowe rs energy consumption. Image credit: courtesy of Deltamarin To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google P

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com HITACHI CHINA WINS CONTRACT FOR LARGE PROJECT IN NANJING Hitachi Elevator (China) has won a contract to supply elevators to the multiple-tower, mixed-use Jinling Central complex in Nanjing, China, the company announced on October 22. Located in Xinjiekou, Nanjing's CBD, Jinling Central will bring 342,600 m2 of new construction, divided into plots A and B. Plot A will include a 44-story, 235-m-tall grade-A office tower, a 36-story, 161-m-tall high-end apartment-style hotel and a seven-story commercial podium. Plot B will have a 99-m-tall grade-A office building and a four-story commercial podium. Hitachi will provide 65 elevators to the project with speeds up to 6 m/s. Construction has already begun on Jinling Central, which is being developed by Hongkong Land at a cost of CNY12 billion (US$1.8 billion). The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2024. Image credit: cou

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR'S TWIN USED FOR FIRST TIME IN KUWAIT thyssenkrupp Elevator has installed 25 vertical-transportation (VT) units in the new headquarters of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), including 10 of its TWIN elevator systems, the company announced on October 21. The 300-m-tall, 63-story NBK building, with a design reminiscent of a pearl and shell, stands in the heart of Kuwait City. It is the second-tallest in the country and the country's first skyscraper to use thyssenkrupp Elevator's TWIN system, which uses two cabins that move independently within a single shaft. TWIN allowed the building's designers to make the most efficient use of available space while using less energy. NBK is certified to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating, among the first in Kuwait to achieve that standard. In addition to the TWIN systems, thyssenkrupp supplied 12 c

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com ELEVATOR INDUSTRY SECOND COVID-19 SURVEY RESULTS ANALYSIS Elevator World, Inc., the German elevator association VFA Interlift e.V. and fair organizer AFAG, in association with Credit Suisse, recently shared results of its second survey of elevator industry representatives on current industry status and anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on business. The survey received 572 responses, more than the first iteration that received 550 responses. Credit Suisse Managing Director and Head of European Capital Good Equity Research Andre Kukhnin assisted with preparation of a chart analysis, including breakdowns by country, of the results (excluding China, as, in July [ELENET 849], only a few of the responses were from that country, and an even comparison of previous and current results was needed). The most recent survey included a new question about the competitive environment t

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 develop

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 Marri

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 relatio

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

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 Delan

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 | SoundCl

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 ser

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