Back to the Office

by Ricia Sturgeon-Hendrick

Since the pandemic, many companies have become accustomed to having remote workers, some very remote. However, this seems to be coming to a gradual end. As return-to-office momentum takes hold, employers are emphasizing quality and usability in reinvented spaces to entice employees. The construction backlog rebounded this summer to 8.7 months, but this was primarily due to data center building. In the office market, according to JLL Research, 59% of organizations in the U.S. and Canada plan to increase investment in their offices and projects. Many are rethinking the workspace that both enhances employee experience and makes good sense. The U.S. office market experienced its fourth consecutive quarter of declines in vacancy rates, falling to 23.2%. The hottest markets right now are Manhattan, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami.

This should be a good thing for the vertical-transportation business. ELEVATOR WORLD conducted a recent survey of North American companies. The response was great, and it confirmed some of our thoughts and blew away others. Tariffs are affecting 80% of the respondents (almost all of whom are contractors). Other concerns were lack of skilled workers, supply chains, material and wage/benefits costs. Still, 22% expect to make at least the same profit they made last year, while 50% expect a modest increase. See the complete survey in Adjusting, Surviving, Thriving by Kaija Wilkinson.

There are, of course, some dark clouds on the horizon for construction. ICE raids on construction sites make worker shortages worse. Tariffs, high-interest rates, a tight lending environment, new policies and general uncertainty may make it a challenge for spending to rebound, but our industry is in a good position to move forward.

Our features this issue report on upcoming and recent VT events that demonstrate our industry’s vitality and healthy momentum.

• Wonders Never Cease by Angie C. Baldwin. Niagara Falls makes a magnificent location for CECA’s 51st Annual Convention.
• Austin Vibes by Wilkinson. One-of-a-kind Texas setting adds magic to the 25th Elevator U Conference.
• Houston: The City With No Limits by Sophie Goodwin. The NAEC 76th Annual Convention and Expo is coming to one of the U.S.’ most diverse cities.
• Excelling in Excellence by Lindsay Fletcher. In its 37th year, the U.K.’s LIFTEX sees record attendance.

This issue’s focus topic, Residential Lifts and Accessibility, tapped into a growing segment of our industry. Eight diverse articles were submitted:

• A Call for Safety and Innovation by Les Katz. In this Readers’ Platform, your author talks about growing and reforming the PRE market.
• Designing Elevators for Universal Accessibility by Muharrem Bilge Çakirer. The author gives a global perspective.
• HOMEB Accessibility submitted by Schindler. Berlin goes to school – with Schindler elevators customized for wood structures.
• Enhancing Elevator Accessibility by Dirk Lauterwasser. LiftBoy and inclusive design solutions for Wiener Linien, Vienna, Austria’s public transport provider.
• Modern Emergency Communication for Residential Elevators submitted by MAD Elevator. Moving beyond the landline.
• NYC Code-Compliant DID Fixtures submitted by MCE. MCE showcases a new product.
• Stannah Lifts by Fletcher. The Andover, U.K.-headquartered home accessibility company celebrates a long-standing legacy and new generations.
• Through-Floor Home Lift submitted by Savaria. Savaria’s new Luma offers elegant personal mobility and safety.

Enjoy our biggest issue of the year, which offers so much more than I was able to thoroughly mention here, including interviews, company spotlights, management advice and more. Reach out to me at [email protected] with your ideas for future articles. I’d love to hear them.