Atlanta Airport To Receive Kone Modernization

KONE will modernize 29 escalators at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is among the world’s busiest airports. The contract includes 15 EcoMod® escalators ranging in rise from 13-46 ft. and 14 moving walks ranging in length from 167-307 ft. This is the airport’s fourth project to utilize the EcoMod solution, which involves the full replacement of escalators and/or moving walks without truss removal. In addition, KONE has served as the airport’s maintenance provider for the airport since its construction in 1979. The project will commence in May and is expected to be completed in February 2016.

Peelle Modernizes Un Headquarters Elevators

The Peelle Co. has modernized the freight-elevator doors of the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City. The company was contracted by KONE to motorize the existing 11 doors and seven gates on four freight elevators. Two door systems were originally installed by Peelle during the complex’s construction between 1947 and 1952. The units will also receive new controllers, fixtures and jacks. Modernization of the UN Headquarters’ 20 passenger elevators was completed by KONE in 2012. Another part of that project was KONE’s installation of three new passenger elevators, the entrances of which Peelle installed during that phase.

Bialy To Present Asme Masterclass

Louis Bialy, P.E., will present a new one-day American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) MasterClass training program to provide in-depth knowledge on the application of the ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7 Performance-Based Code for Elevators and Escalators. The event will be held on May 1 at ASME headquarters in New York City. Case studies and active group discussion will demonstrate the application of the code and responsibilities of manufacturers, Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organizations and enforcing authorities.

Bialy has 32 years of experience in elevator and escalator engineering. He said of the program:

“This ASME MasterClass is designed to demonstrate how the ASME A17.7/B44.7 performance-based code provides a structured process for ensuring safety, while enabling innovation. It is structured on the assumption that participants have some working knowledge of the ASME A17.1/B44 code.”

 For more information or to register, contact Marian Hess at phone: (212) 591-7161, e-mail: hessm@asme.org or website: go.asme.org/masterclass101.

Syska Hennessy Personnel Changes

Global consulting, engineering and commissioning firm Syska Hennessy Group, Inc. has hired Mike Rosenberg to lead the company’s regional commissioning practice from its Chicago office. Rosenberg brings more than 30 years of experience in design, installation, startup, operation, testing and troubleshooting of major building systems. For the past 22 years, he has served with a number of engineering and commissioning companies almost exclusively on commissioning building systems throughout the Midwest. Rosenberg has developed commissioning specifications, managed resources and teams, observed construction, and implemented and witnessed functional testing of building systems and troubleshooting.

Traditionally, the commissioning practice for this location has been a blend of individual services from various locations, but the company has since organized it to become a centralized core offering from the Chicago office. The company stated Rosenberg represents a key component of its overall national growth, as well as its dedication to providing total-building solutions throughout the Chicago and Midwest region.

Syska Hennessy also relocated Hamish List, a project manager and mechanical engineer, from its Los Angeles office to the group’s San Diego branch. List is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional and, as of February, was seeking High-Performance Building Design Professional Certification. List will serve as the project manager and lead mechanical engineer on the San Diego Convention Center expansion project. In addition, he will play a leading role in projects throughout the southern California region.

Pflow Announces New Field Technician

  PFlow Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of vertical reciprocating conveyors, recently added Charlie Jenkins as a field technician. Jenkins will supervise the installation and startup of lifts, as well as perform any ongoing maintenance. He has 20 years of experience in manufacturing maintenance, including work with automatic storage-retrieval systems and continuous-flow manufacturing. “[Jenkins] brings a unique perspective to servicing our lifts with his background in building maintenance,” PFlow Product Support Manager Pat Hermann said.

Two Towers For Boston’s Christian Science Plaza

The construction of two high rises has been planned to revitalize Boston’s 14.5-acre Christian Science Plaza. On January 23, the First Church of Christ, Scientist announced it had chosen Carpenter and Co. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as master developer of 20- and 50-story towers on Belvidere and Dalton streets in the city’s Back Bay. Designers include Henry Cobb of New York City and Cambridge Seven Associates of Cambridge.

According to Engineering News-Record, the taller tower would be one of the tallest structures in Boston. The buildings are to be mixed use, including apartments, condominiums, a hotel, ground-floor restaurants and retail space. Since 2006, the church has planned to improve open space and environmental sustainability at the site and better use its available real estate. Boston has approved the project’s scope, and construction is set to begin at the end of the year.

OTIS Profile Released

Research and Markets has released “Otis Elevator Company: Company Profile and SWOT Analysis” to its list of publications. The profile contains in-depth information and data about the company and its operations. It includes a company overview; business description; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis; key competitors, facts and employees; locations and subsidiaries; company history; and information on products and services. The product can offer insight into the marketplace and a better understanding of internal and external industry factors, in addition to the chance to recognize potential partnerships and suppliers. For more information or to purchase, visit website: www.research andmarkets.com/research/dmfnfl/otis_elevator.

Eklund’s Hires Representatives

 Eklund’s Inc. has announced the hiring of two business-development representatives. Janel Durko rejoined Eklund’s in the company’s Chicago office, having briefly departed after five years of being an Eklund’s representative in Chicago. Mark Gaylor was added to the company’s Maryland team and has more than 12 years of architectural sales experience, having spent several years as a project manager and estimator in the industry. He formerly worked for Jangho Curtain Wall Americas; ANCO, Inc.; YKK; and U.S. Aluminum, among others.

Bureau Veritas Appoints Inspection/Certification VP

Bureau Veritas has selected Jorge Hercules to serve as vice president (VP) of its Elevators and Certification Division in North America. In his new role, Hercules will be responsible for the operations and continued growth of the divisions. Hercules has more than 36 years of experience in the testing, inspection and certification industry. Having been with Bureau Veritas for 32 years, he has gained knowledge of the organization’s global operations and inspection and auditing capabilities.

Hercules said:

“I am thrilled to be moving into this new position, leading two key growth areas for Bureau Veritas in North America. Utilizing modern technology and processes in a traditionally ‘manual’ industry allows us to provide faster and more accurate inspections and audits, benefitting our clients and inspectors. For our elevator-inspection group, this results in our ability to provide 160,000 inspections annually. . . while providing our clients faster turnaround times in all 50 states. . . .”

Bureau Veritas’ National Elevator Inspection Services, Inc. is headquartered in St. Louis and is one of the largest elevator-inspection companies in the U.S., providing inspection services in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The Bureau Veritas Certification systems-certification registrar serves more than 80,000 companies in more than 100 countries.

Los Angeles Tower Design Unveiled

In February, the final design of Wilshire Grand in downtown Los Angeles was unveiled by its developer Korean Air and the project team (ELEVATOR WORLD, July 2012). The 73-story mixed-use tower, which is expected to open in January 2017, is replacing the former Wilshire Grand Hotel and will feature a glass pediment spire, topping out at 1,100 ft., making it among the tallest buildings in the western U.S. The building will be equipped with 35 elevators and 14 escalators.

  The luxury hotel was designed by AC Martin of Los Angeles and will include retail and office space. In addition, Martin Project Management will oversee project management. Hanjin International, owner of Wilshire Grand, has a longstanding partnership with Korean Air, both of which have contributed to the city’s economic activity. Turner Construction Co. will oversee the project’s construction, which will be conducted by members of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, creating more than 11,000 local jobs.

By deconstructing the existing building, instead of imploding or demolishing it, many of the materials will be recycled, bringing an estimated US$4 million in recycling revenue. In addition, green-building techniques will be used, allowing the project to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification.

ALPS Wire Rope Opens Houston Location

Alps Wire Rope has opened a warehouse location in Houston. Abe Guerrero will serve as branch manager, joining the existing sales team, which includes Market Development Manager Rick Coughran and Bill Lee. The increase in demand for wire-rope products in the region led to the opening of the distribution location. “It is about time. It has been 10 years in the making,” Coughran said.

Schindler 3300 Goes Solar

Schindler introduced an elevator powered by solar energy in February. The elevator, an adapted version of the company’s Schindler 3300 model, is being introduced to the market and is planned to be launched to the full market later this year. It boasts energy savings of 50% per year, compared to a conventional model. The elevator can be operated with solar energy, power from the grid, or a combination of both. Full-solar operation is possible, depending on the configuration and available sunlight.

The elevator’s rooftop solar panels are sized according to the building’s anticipated traffic level and large enough to power the elevator during extended periods of reduced sunlight. Tapping into the stored solar energy is intended to help ensure continuity of operation and minimize the risk of entrapment. Energy captured by the rooftop solar panels can be used immediately, stored in batteries and/or resold to the grid.

“This is just the starting point for elevators powered by renewable energy,” remarked Alain Garrigue, Zone Business manager at Schindler. “We will continue to optimize the technology. . .”

Snapcab Website Relaunch

SnapCab has relaunched its website (www.snapcab.com) to help customers through the process of selecting, ordering and installing a new elevator interior. The site features a showroom, computer-aided-design drawings, Construction Specifications Institute three-part specifications and other resources for all SnapCab predesigned models. The site also features an interactive Google map to locate thousands of SnapCab projects, live chat and the ability to schedule an online design session with a project manager.

Atlantic Elevator Hires Service Sales Manager

   Atlantic Elevator has hired Erin Carr as Service Sales manager. Prior to joining the company, Carr was employed by Schindler, most recently as District Service manager. She will primarily be responsible for the expansion of the company’s maintenance client base across the region. In addition, she will oversee and direct the sales team and provide the necessary leadership to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the sales process.

During Carr’s tenure at Schindler, she gained experience in identifying and securing new business opportunities, managing national accounts and overseeing field service personnel across the region. A Connecticut native, Carr graduated from Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Economics, and has taken courses to complete her MBA at the University of Connecticut. She is also OSHA certified.

KJA Announces New Associate Director

   KJA Consultants Inc., one of North America’s oldest consulting firms, recently announced the addition of Kathryn Byszewski as associate director for the U.S. Byszewski has more than 20 years of elevator-industry experience, and has worked in both sales and project management positions for various major projects. Byszewski has also held senior managing roles in sales and operations activities for major elevator companies in the Northeast U.S.

Washington, D.C., Metro Awards Kone Modernization Contract

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has awarded KONE a contract to replace 128 escalators at 34 stations throughout Washington, D.C.’s transportation system. The contract is part of WMATA’s improvement program, Metro Forward. KONE will replace the existing escalators with its ecologically efficient, heavy-duty transit escalators, designed to meet the demands of areas with high traffic volumes. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.