ISEE 2024

Held in Mumbai, expo’s second edition reinforces India’s position as a global hub for innovation and sourcing.

The winter chill so evident in India’s financial capital during November 2024 witnessed a thaw as the last month of the calendar year commenced. Those who had brought their woolens found them superfluous during the first week of December 2024, especially from the 5th through the 7th when vertical-transportation (VT) industry members filled Halls 1 and 2 of Mumbai’s Bombay Exhibition Centre with the warmth of their interactions at the second edition of the International Sourcing Exposition for Elevators & Escalators (ISEE) 2024. The three-day expo reinforced India’s position as a global hub for innovation and sourcing, with insights from the heads of associations indicating even brighter days ahead. 

During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman of National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) and Hiranandani Group, shared that the floor space index (FSI) in terms of availability of development allowed on land has increased from 1.33 to 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Even a city like Hyderabad has removed restrictions on heights and development. He lauded the VT industry’s prospects, stating: 

“With robust growth in infrastructure and real estate, the elevator and escalator industry is poised to grow at a minimum of 25% per annum over the next five years. However, to sustain this growth, industry leaders must prioritize skilling their workforce to meet the rising demand for trained professionals.” 

India’s reputation as a manufacturing center is growing, he observed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on facilitating development to enable India to cater to export and international markets. “So, you’re going to see that paradigm (shift) taking place,” Hiranandani said. “My congratulations for being in the right business at the right time and in the right country in the right place.”

Amit Gossain, managing director (MD), India & South Asia, KONE, and chairman, Elevator & Escalator Division, Indian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturer Association (IEEMA), emphasized safety and opined that the new Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards promise to make safety even stronger, which is a positive development. He also mentioned that we now see a lot of women in the industry, as well. “So, woman power is already here, and we must open more training schools and train more and more people,” Gossain said. 

Suraj Thodimarath, MD, Asia-Pacific Region, Wittur Group, and president of the Elevator and Escalator Component Manufacturers Association of India (EECMAI), pointed out that the Indian economy is ascending. This is the time for the Indian elevator and escalator industry to really step up — not just in terms of  product offerings aiming for higher segments, but also in terms of targeting larger markets beyond the shores of India. 

The expo featured conferences and panel discussions covering topics such as elevator safety, emergency evacuation, urbanization challenges and solutions for low-cost housing. Thought leaders including Gossain and John K. John, chairman and MD, Johnson Lifts, enriched the sessions with their insights.

The year-long ISEE Quiz culminated in a grand finale at the expo. Designed to promote awareness of industry standards, the quiz saw the Johnson Lifts team crowned champions, earning a cash prize of ₹5 lakh (equivalent to roughly US$1,164). 

VT industry brands utilized the opportunity to showcase their recent offerings and new launches.  

Members of the Arkel team shared that a special highlight of their stall was the photography spot, which became a hub of excitement. Customers, connections and channel partners came together to create memorable moments, capturing the essence of Arkel’s innovation and collaboration. Arkel’s groundbreaking innovations and cutting-edge technologies were showcased with product demonstrations and collaborative discussions, along with new avenues opening for partnerships and collaborations.

Bharat Bijlee presented its GreenStar® series of gearless elevator machines, powered by Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors. Among the highlights was the unveiling of the GreenStar 28 pole, an energy-efficient product for passenger elevators that ensures a smoother and more comfortable ride. The booth was inaugurated on opening day by R Rajaraman, vice president — Magnet Technology Machines (MTM), and the company’s MD, Nakul Mehta. During the expo, a film showcasing the journey of the MTM division since 2007 — its milestones and its technology partnership with European motor manufacturer PERMAGSA — was screened. It may be viewed at tinyurl.com/mr2fjptv.

Venice, Italy-based COAM, founded in 1962, specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality hydraulic elevator components used by elevator brands worldwide. Its offerings include “stone-honed” cylinders for ultra-smooth rides, silent hydraulic power packs and a wide range of hydraulically synchronized telescopic pistons in 2, 3 and 4 stages. After entering the Indian market at the Smart Lift & Mobility World Expo, Bengaluru, COAM participated in its second event at the ISEE Expo in Mumbai, meeting many delighted customers who expressed their excitement about discovering COAM and placed strong orders for its products. “India is a rapidly growing market,” COAM Technical Director Marco Santel said. “We are thrilled to be a part of (ISEE) and bring our 60-year legacy and expertise to the Indian elevator industry.”

Epic Elevators highlighted its offering Bellissimo, created after years of R&D. It is a “ready to install” elevator that takes fewer than 30 h, along with its structure, to set up. This pitless elevator can travel up to six floors considering an overhead of 2,250 m. The safe border protection platform in the elevator is supported by a two-sided groove belt for safety, stability and comfort. Silently monitored via an Internet of Things remote system with the added feature of multi-side openings, Bellissimo can adapt to any home layout at no additional cost. The doors also have a “play safe,” anti-pinch protection function. Bellissimo is named for the beautiful fit it achieves in an existing home, making it convenient for elderly family members to travel vertically and also beautifying a customer’s residence.

GMV, known for its hydraulic elevators, showcased its new arrival, GMV Evo Smart Omega Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Traction Lift, featuring enhanced safety, superior quality and smart features with numerous added advantages. GMV India installed its MRL working lift at the exhibition stall within two days’ time. The lift vertically transported visitors continuously and for more than 950 cycles over the three days. More than 750 visitors were received at the stall, with domestic and international “glocal” partners of GMV India present to showcase unique elevator solutions by GMV.

Johnson Lifts was strategically located as the first stall, visible to visitors even before they registered. This prime location gave the company excellent visibility and a steady stream of clients throughout the event. The company was recognized for having the highest number of participants enrolled for the ISEE Quiz 2024, which showcased the enthusiasm and knowledge of the Johnson Lifts team. Adding to this achievement, Sreekanth and Lakshmanan emerged as the winners, securing first prize in the quiz. Additionally, Sivakumar participated as a panelist in the insightful discussion on “Global E&E Trends,” sharing his expertise on the evolving industry landscape. Karthikeyan was felicitated for his outstanding contributions as an active member of the committee responsible for forming codes for lifts and escalators under the BIS.

The booth of Monarch BST, an Inovance Company, became a vibrant hub of activity, drawing a diverse audience eager to explore the latest advancements in elevator technology. Monarch BST presented a variety of solutions designed to improve efficiency, reliability and the overall user experience in VT systems. Key showcases included the NICE1000+ Nxt Gen Integrated Elevator Controller. With advanced features that enhance control, safety and energy efficiency, this next-generation solution meets the evolving demands of smart and sustainable urban infrastructure. The Glory J2230 and T2230 door mechanisms, meanwhile, are engineered for precision and reliability, ensuring smooth and secure operation. These high-performance mechanisms are designed for durability and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for a variety of elevator systems.

Monarch BST’s directors in Asia and India, as well as industry leaders, engaged in discussions on trends, challenges and future VT innovations while connecting with key stakeholders including OEMs, architects, consultants and end-users. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how the company’s solutions can revolutionize elevator operations with a focus on energy efficiency. The company observed that its solutions can reduce operational costs and minimize environmental impact. Its advanced control systems are designed to deliver safety, reliability, top-tier performance and seamless integration, simplifying system design and deployment. The company said its focus “remains on delivering smarter, more efficient and sustainable solutions for VT.”

Monteferro showcased its latest innovations, products and services, displaying cutting-edge elevator solutions including elevator guiderails, MORIS hydraulic kits, oil buffers, safeties and infra-red light curtains. The expo saw the launch of Monteferro’s Made To Suit India “Hydronic Lift Kit” and MRL Tower Moris Powerpack. B. S. Kumaraswamy, director, Monteferro India Guiderails and Elevator Parts Pvt. Ltd., said:

“Our team was on hand to provide in-depth demonstrations and answer queries. Connecting with industry peers, thought leaders and potential clients, we strengthened existing relationships and forged new ones. Our experts participated in panel discussions, sharing insights on the latest trends, challenges and best practices in the elevator industry. Our participation was a resounding success. It helped reinforce our brand presence in the market. We generated high-quality leads and established connections with potential clients. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with the elevator industry community and showcase our innovations. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the industry and contributing to its growth and development.”

Tectronics Engineers, known for gearless elevator machine manufacturing, unveiled its latest innovation, the RTG 24P N Series, a revolutionary gearless elevator machine designed for residential and high-rise applications. Focused on sustainability and performance, this new series aspires to redefine standards in VT. With features such as optimized torque control, energy efficiency and low-noise operation, the RTG 24P N Series ensures smooth, reliable and eco-friendly elevator performance. More than 1,200 elevator company representatives visited the Tectronics Engineers stall. Attendees who included manufacturers, lift installers and consultants were impressed by the new RTG 24P N Series. The machine’s outstanding performance and innovative design received widespread acclaim. Nayan Movaliya, managing partner, Tectronics Engineers, said:

“The RTG 24P N Series reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The overwhelming response from industry leaders strengthens our resolve to continue developing ground-breaking solutions. We are proud to be the fastest growing company in India.”

Wittur showcased its latest innovations and reaffirmed its commitment to redefining safety and durability in elevator components. With a focus on cutting-edge solutions tailored for diverse market needs, they unveiled three groundbreaking products:

1. Hydra 3201M Fire-Rated Glass Door: This certified 1-h fire-rated glass door is engineered for high safety compliance in infrastructure and government projects. It features 100% IP54 protection against water and dust and a Warrington Fire certificate for both the door and its glass, conforming to IS 17518 and EN standards.
2. Core Single Skin Fire-Rated Door: Designed with Direct SS 304 and a honeycomb finish, this innovation is ideal for government and infrastructure projects. It meets the critical requirements of Direct SS (non-cladded) fire-rated doors and operates at speeds of up to 4 m/s, complying with EN 81-20/50 and IS 17900 norms.
3. Upgraded Stellar Door: With enhanced durability and an anti-drop sill hook feature, this door guarantees the highest safety by preventing falls. Wittur says its design is a testament to the company’s focus on innovation and user protection. Wittur’s exhibit also featured the company’s combo kit packages including doors, cabins and slings, as well as its premium home elevator, Quartz-I, which attracted significant attention for its elegance and functionality.

Booths