Adding Sparkle to SDB

Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TJEI) Managing Director Katsuhiko Sato (KS) shares insights with your author (AP) on the challenges and rewards of providing VT for India’s second diamond trading hub. 

AP: What vertical-transportation (VT) equipment did TJEI provide for Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB)? 

KS: TJEI provided the following: 

• Bespoke premium design to match the design inspiration of SDB, featuring 2,400-mm-tall elevator doors and 2,700-mm-tall cabs

• Group control system to shorten average wait time (AWT)

• Conformance to SDB’s green building requirements by incorporation of environmentally friendly features such as a power-saving function and gearless motors

• The FLOORNAVI destination control system for fast and efficient movement of people inside the building

• Strict conformance to safety and security measures by deploying interface for access control, live TV, closed-circuit TV (CCTV), etc. 

AP: Which features make SDB an important structure? 

KS: SDB is being set up with an approximate investment of Rs. 125,000 crore. It will be India’s second diamond trading hub, spread across more than 35 acres with the availability of 66 lakh ft² of built-up area encompassing 4,000 offices for national and international traders. After commissioning, SDB is expected to generate additional annual business worth Rs. 90,000 crore. This iconic complex is expected to witness daily footfall of more than 65,000 people. 

AP: Describe some of the customer specifications for this project. 

KS: They include a minimum AWT for elevators; efficient travel management between the ground and 15th floors; sustainable, energy-conscious solutions; an integrated design that matches the iconic architecture; security and surveillance; and durability and hassle-free operations. 

AP: Which VT solutions did TJEI propose for SDB? 

KS: The solutions included installation and maintenance of 128, 3 m/s elevators serving nine, 15-story towers and India’s first 12-car group destination control system (DCS). The system analyzes and controls elevator movement in real time, while predicting what may happen in the immediate future. DCS drastically reduces service time, relieving passengers’ stress from rush-hour congestion in the mornings and evenings. 

By registering the destination floor before the elevator ride, DCS reduces the number of floor stops, since people who want to move to the same floor can be collected by the same elevator. Once passengers get inside the elevator, they are no longer required to enter the destination floor. It removes the burden of destination entry inside a packed elevator, thus improving the passenger experience. 

The elevator monitoring system (EMS) monitors elevator operation in real time using several display screens. It is an interactive system placed at a designated location for monitoring, controlling, reporting and performing real-time traffic analysis. 

“The solutions included installation and maintenance of 128, 3 m/s elevators serving nine, 15-story towers and India’s first 12-car group DCS.”

We also included a provision for access control, live TV, CCTV and emergency fire operation for all 128 units. They are outfitted with tall cars and doors, permanent magnet-synchronous motors and LED lighting. Lower friction roller guides, instead of conventional sliding guide shoes, help ensure ride comfort. Each elevator has a 24-passenger capacity. 

To offer low repair turnaround time, TJEI has set up the multipurpose Training Centre and Distribution Centre (TCDC) in Chennai to enhance the competence and expertise of field engineers for elevator sales, installation and maintenance, including at SDB. The center is equipped to facilitate field engineering training, distribution and quality control. TCDC also has a storage area for components for elevator installation and maintenance, and is equipped with various quality control facilities. 

Toshiba elevators, including those at SDB, save energy by employing gearless motors that save more than 30% power compared to conventional electric motors. Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (ROHS)-compliant manufacturing processes are used. The proposed solutions are fully ROHS compliant. [In April], all the elevators [were] in the execution/installation stage.

AP: How does this project reflect the strengths and capabilities of the Toshiba and TJEI brands? 

KS: Toshiba has a legacy of providing the most advanced engineering solutions to its clients, and TJEI presses forward by securing some of the most iconic projects that demand the latest technology and exclusive design engineering. Utilizing the comprehensive technological infrastructure developed by Toshiba Corp. over 135 years, TJEI has established itself as one of the leading players sought for the most prestigious projects. 

About TJEI Managing Director Katsuhiko Sato

After completing his education, Katsuhiko began his career at Toshiba Corp. in 1993. Starting in the government sales department at Toshiba Japan, Katsuhiko worked to perfect his sales and business skills. In the beginning, when he had limited skills and knowledge of architecture, he would use his free time to walk around the cutting-edge buildings across Tokyo. To better understand VT industry dynamics, he would ride in elevators installed by competitors. This helped him in persuading design firms to consider TJEI. 

Soon after, Katsuhiko was promoted to the branch office in Osaka, the most populated city in western Japan. Despite Osaka not being a stronghold for Toshiba at the time, Katsuhiko fostered business relationships with customers there, securing major orders for the corporation. Continuing his work in the domestic sales department for more than 20 years, Katsuhiko moved to overseas sales and marketing as senior manager. With his abundant experience and understanding of the elevator industry, he supported TJEI from Tokyo for more than three years. In 2020, Katsuhiko was appointed managing director of TJEI to spearhead the company’s growth domestically. His goal is to grow TJEI into the most preferred elevator brand in India.