It’s Never Done

by Ricia Sturgeon-Hendrick

At a recent International Association of Elevator Consultants conference in New Orleans, I was struck by a comment so strong that it seemed to put a laser-like focus on our industry. The comment (by John Koshak) was, “It’s not just a one and done!” indicating that, ultimately, we are responsible for the equipment we install for a lifetime — its lifetime, not ours. Once I was talking to the head of an OEM, and he said, “Remember when Kodak practically gave away cameras so they could sell film? Well, sometimes you give away the elevator to get the maintenance contract because that means long-term income.” So, it is reliable dollars year after year, but what a commitment! Elevators last a long time if you take care of them. I’ve seen shaftways on sites when buildings are going up and coming down. Our equipment frequently outlasts the building. Elevators are not great, big appliances you install and forget.

So, of course, our Focus this month is Maintenance, and we have four articles:

♦ One Size Fits All . . . or Does it? by Amy Blankenbiller. The author highlights the need for both proactive and preventive maintenance.

♦ How the Use of Machine Data Can Help Consolidate Elevator Maintenance Across National Boundaries and Different Codes by Patrick Bass and Daan Smans. You would think the title says it all, but crossing codes is an issue since all are on EN 81 except the U.S., Canada and Japan.

♦ When the Manual’s Not Enough by Alon Kichin. Technicians must deal with a wide range of equipment, often without a manual. Some are now using AI.

♦ Joseph C. Tamsitt’s Second NAEC Education Program 1960-1964: Lessons by Dr. Lee Gray, EW Correspondent. A historic look at the specifics of the program and its success with more than 2,200 users.

We have a number of great features this month, including events in New Orleans and Lisbon, Portugal. The “main event,” however, is the results of our annual photo contest, Photo Contest 2025. This is one of my favorite contests, as we publish more than 20 pages of vertical transportation in all its glory.

We also have a Special Regional Section — for the first time — on the Northwest. That wouldn’t be complete without talking about the Space Needle in Seattle in Kaija Wilkinson’s Point of View. As part of an extensive modernization, the monument is getting high-tech, doubledeck Otis elevators. In Merger Benefits Region’s VT Consulting Market, Lindsay Fletcher interviews ECS president Greg Ernst, who recently joined New Jersey-based VDA, bringing an expanded customer base in the Northwest. In Precision in Motion, we learn about how Idaho-based EPC grew from a small home-based shop to become the largest privately held encoder manufacturer in North America. Showing Up for Washington, also by Wilkinson, is an interview with the Washington Elevator general manager and co-owner who insists on putting the customer first.

Is there more? Of course! There are U.S. and International news columns, several more events and even a Continuing- Education piece, Elevator Car Plunges, Does a = g? By Lakshmanan Raja. It’s intriguing. I hope you enjoy the book. Please let me know either way at ricia@elevatorworld.com.