Everything E&E

When I joined ELEVATOR WORLD in 1993, one of my first tasks was to assist George Strakosch in developing an elevator-industry market study that we titled The Vertical Transportation Industry Profile (VTIP) and published in 1994. In its opening paragraph, Strakosch stated that people in the elevator industry (as well as those who may be intrigued by elevators and escalators [E&Es]) have an abundant curiosity about how many there are in operation and where they are located. A key statement in the report also pointed out, “Elevator-industry members, as well as those who may be thinking of entering the elevator industry, need to know what type of market to prepare for and how to serve that market.” These aspects are of prime importance to those who may be considering working for or investing in an elevator company or organization.

Since it was first published, the VTIP has been revised and republished in print as individual reports and within previous editions of the SOURCE© several times during the last two decades. The most recent edition of the VTIP was published earlier this year and is now available as a PDF file through the EW Online Bookstore. The VTIP has been and will continue to be a good resource for the elevator industry and others interested in knowing what we do, and how and why we do it.

Another good way for people to learn about our industry is for them to attend the numerous elevator-industry trade shows and conferences conducted in various locations around the globe and that we report on in EW throughout the year. Interlift is the largest of these, and it is held every other year in October in Augsburg, Germany. In preparation for this year’s Interlift event (October 18-21), we have included a special Interlift section (p.73) that attendees can use to locate the various exhibitors and get information on the numerous educational sessions, seminars and meetings that will be occurring during what is always a monumental elevator-industry event.

Also included in this month’s issue are two reports that provide a good deal of important statistical information on our industry. These consist of an update on the Hungarian elevator market by Máriusz Makovsky in Comments (p.18) and a report on the German elevator market by Undine Stricker-Berghoff in the special Interlift section And as I was preparing to write this column, a third report came across my desk that I immediately thought would be a good embellishment to this month’s issue on the international elevator industry.

This report, “Global Elevator Escalator Market World View Summary” (P.98), includes information on the total number of units worldwide and their geographic break-down, the split between various market segments by equipment type, the number of units and their corresponding value, and the split of new E&E installation, maintenance and modernization markets. Market shares of the major elevator-industry companies by the number of units and their value are also provided, along with the past and anticipated market growth rates. And with the significant expansion of all of China’s industries and its economy as a whole on everyone’s mind, of special interest to all should be the section that provides information on the past five-year growth rate of the Chinese E&E market, and the key players in this market, along with their individual market shares.

The information on the global E&E market provided in this month’s issue has been excerpted from an extensive study undertaken by Credit Suisse for its investors. Those wishing to obtain additional copies of our summary of this report (or our other E&E industry market studies and reports) can do so by visiting the EW Online Bookstore (www.elevatorbooks.com) or by contacting our Educational Sales Service Associate Robin Lawley at phone: (251) 479-4514, ext. 19 or e-mail: robin@elevatorworld.com.

It is EW’s mission to keep E&E-industry members and those who have an interest in what is happening in our industry informed and up to date on the technology, products and services the industry provides. This month’s issue of EW, along with the books and studies that we publish, and websites that we run, are our means of fulfilling this mission. We look forward to continuing to be the leading source of everything related to the E&E industry for those within and outside of what has been and what we feel will continue to be a prosperous industry and one that has been a fun and rewarding experience for me for over 45 years. So, stay tuned – I can assure you there is more on the way!