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Avire Appoints Brigham Technical Director

Avire has appointed Peter Brigham technical director, responsible for the company’s global engineering activity. He is primarily based at the U.K. office. Most recently chief technology officer and founder at Dacfon Ltd., specializing in anti-counterfeiting and secure manufacturing systems, Brigham has an MSc in Electronics and Information Technology from Birmingham University and a background in growing companies through technology. Brigham stated:

“I feel privileged in joining such a dynamic and growing technology company. I’m excited about adding to their already impressive technical capabilities, and looking forward to assisting the team in creating more industry-leading products.”

Apex Adds Service Contract Manager

Apex Lifts of London has hired Jordan Byrne as service contract manager. Byrne brings almost 20 years’ experience to the role, which involves the management of engineers in and around London, day-to-day operational running, contract management, and monitoring and reporting. He began his career in 1998 as an apprentice, while completing engineering and electrical qualifications. He later moved to another firm, where he carried out services and breakdowns. Most recently, he spent nine years working for Mitsubishi Elevators, being responsible for its flagship London site and managing 14 lift engineers across the capital.

EFESME Holds Standardization Forums

On December 13, 2017, The European Federation of Elevator Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EFESME) organized the SBS Lift Forum on standardization. Moderated by Adam Pinney of the European Builders Confederation, the event gathered experts, entrepreneurs and stakeholders interested in standardization for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Sessions included:

• An overview of the European standardization framework for SMEs by EFESME President Annalisa Tessarolo
• The latest standardization measures affecting the lift sector by EFESME Secretary General Luciano Faletto
• A widening gap between SMEs and big companies by ASCEC Manager Jean-Pierre Ménard
• Lift installer delays and insufficient competence of Notified Bodies and public authorities by General Director of Beltrán Ascensores and President of the Spanish Federation of Lift SMEs (FEPYMA) Lorenzo Beltrán Aguirre
• ETSI activities in smart machine-to-machine technology by Ivan Ferrarini, co-owner of Farma Ascensori and board member of the Italian Association of ANACAM (Italian elevator association)

Elevators Among Growth Drivers for Hitachi in China

Demand for elevators, along with a strong economy and recovering construction sector, is driving growth for Hitachi in China, the Nikkei Asian Review reported. The company’s Chinese sales had been expected to surpass US$8.9 billion through the year ending in March and reach at least US$9.7 billion by March 2019. Hitachi President Toshiaki Higashihara shared that smart manufacturing and electric vehicles will be among the focuses. Business has been steady, he said, despite concern that the twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress in October 2017 would result in an economic slowdown. That didn’t occur, and foreign companies operating in China are working around party requirements such as new cybersecurity legislation that requires businesses to keep data within Chinese borders.