An Air of Positivity

With the advent of spring comes renewed growth and hope. Maybe that has never been truer than this year, as we try to reestablish our “normal” lives after a very long, COVID-induced hibernation. Those we speak to in many parts of the world are enthusiastic and feel the tide beginning to turn, with good prospects for summer and fall. Everyone is ready to get out and see people in person again. Most organizations have been using the time in isolation to reorganize. Several have hired new staff or have new directives.

Many say they feel the momentum rising in the industry. This is evidenced in our first feature this issue, COVID-19 Impact, Outlook, the third survey produced by Elevator World, Inc., the German elevator association VFA Interlift e.V.; and fair organizer AFAG, in association with Credit Suisse. The analysis of survey responses found the view, especially from consultants, much improved for the next six months.

We seem to be shifting toward positivity seamlessly, as various industry indices are all up — including hiring, modernizations and even demand for office space. There are a lot of questions and uncertainties about the future of the office market, but several major office owners are bullish on the office market — and that is good for vertical transportation.

In this issue, we focus on an aspect that affects the office market: cabs and cab accessories. This is one of the most important parts of the elevator for our riding public. It is what people encounter every time they enter an elevator, and the aesthetics, cleanliness and safety of the elevator cab matter to them and inform their opinion of the building. It is the first impression and the finished product all at once.

We feature three focus topic articles this issue. In Universal Design Principles for Cabs: Accessibility, author Muharrem B. Çakirer reviews EN 81-70’s cab standards, which he believes should be followed to help make lifts accessible to all. Dr. Michael Davies and Dr. P. J. B. Scott penned the paper, Keeping Elevators Safe from Infections, where they assess the risks of picking up COVID-19 or other viruses or bacteria in a cab and how to reduce infection risk. In Ingenuity by Design, the evolution of an elevator handrail installation system created by the German company BeLi is detailed.

This issue also highlights projects and people around the world. In Doppler Inclined Elevators by Giannis Nikolaou, we see how the 20-year-old Greek manufacturer designs inclined elevators for many hard-to-reach properties in accordance with EN 81-22. In A New Chapter by Igor Nikolaou, Otis delivers stunning elevators to OKO Towers, a pair of high rises in Moscow’s booming building site. In Valves: The Vital Last Link, Anja Balin, CEO of Germany-based Blain Hydraulics, shares insights about the company’s philosophy, strategy and future.

There is so much more in this issue, and we hope you enjoy it. We are eager for you to communicate with us on what is happening in your company and with your projects. We continue to wish you health and safety.