“Raising The Bar”

SLM Awards 2024 honor visionaries and noteworthy projects.

The glittering Smart Lift & Mobility (SLM) Awards 2024 ceremony provided a ringside seat for attendees to hear about the accomplishments of members of the vertical-transportation (VT) industry and key stakeholders — including architects and developers — as they were bestowed prestigious recognitions. When your author’s role as the SLM World 2024 mentor was being contemplated during initial discussions with founders/directors of Virgo Communications & Exhibitions, Anitha Raghunath and Raghu G, it became evident that the event had to be multi-dimensional, covering myriad facets that would combine to form a comprehensive whole. One aspect that emerged was that those who take pathbreaking initiatives from concept to reality deserve to be acknowledged and recognized as role models worth emulating.

We felt there was a need to commend those who have been distinctly raising benchmarks in the VT industry, as well as related sectors such as real estate development, architecture, automation, accessibility, mobility, inclusivity, sustainability and security. While some are sporadically felicitated at separate events, it was clear that a dedicated, comprehensive recognition platform would be welcomed. Thus, the SLM Awards 2024 were conceptualized as a specific platform to honor noteworthy leaders from the VT industry and beyond.

The objective was to highlight the brands, people and signature projects that have played an integral role in shaping India’s vertical growth story and have led by example. SLM Awards 2024 aimed to identify and incentivize the stakeholders who are performing exceptionally well as they deliver high-quality service in the design, adaptation and implementation of technology and management of elevators and escalators in India. At the same time, they are elevating safety, quality and the user experience. The nomination process was systematic, and the awards were independently judged by the Quality Council of India (QCI), thereby ensuring transparency and credibility.

India’s inaugural SLM Awards presentation, held at Jacaranda Hall, Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore, during the three-day SLM World 2024, was a truly exclusive function. Dignitaries from around the globe gathered for the celebration. Beyond celebrating excellence, the awards ceremony offered a unique opportunity for stakeholders to foster meaningful connections and further their business endeavors.

In her welcome speech, Anitha observed:

“The SLM Awards are the first of their kind, designed for the elevator industry, as well as their customers and associates. I’m sure you haven’t heard of anything like this before, but it’s what we believe in doing. Raising the bar for any industry event is our motto.”

She said that Virgo has been associated with the elevator industry since 2006, when she and Raghu first thought of organizing an elevator exhibition. Virgo presented the first elevator exhibition in 2007 in Mumbai. The scenario and dynamics of the market then were very different from what they are today, Anitha said. “Then, we never thought we would need a combination event that addressed the customer, the elevator industry and components suppliers,” she reflected. “The overall event and awards are specially designed because we know that, today, technology is advanced, and we want to recognize all relevant segments.”

Rajesh Maheshwari, secretary general, QCI, thanked Virgo for inviting QCI to partner on the initiative. Recalling his first interaction with your author and Virgo, he emphasized that QCI knows that the VT industry must recognize strong performers because it motivates everyone to perform better. Maheshwari elaborated:

“In today’s world, quality infrastructure has a very important role to play. If you look at the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 96% of global GDP is impacted by the quality of its infrastructure, whether it’s the standards or the conformity assessment or the accreditation. Leading companies must provide quality products and comply with regulations. Regulators rely on accredited bodies to assess lifts, escalators, elevators and all other mobility solutions.”

Maheshwari observed that VT is a growing sector on which urban infrastructure, airports, high-rise housing and public utilities rely. Therefore, the quality of VT products is extremely important. Making SLM World an every-two-year event would be a wise move, he said, that would benefit both producers and consumers. “We have to always align to whatever the consumer wants and what their expectations are, because they will always look for smart solutions and smart equipment,” he said.

Presentations were interspersed with high-impact light and music shows featuring various combinations of live drumbeat performances that set the ambience for a memorable evening. While award recipients were all delighted, a few categories stand out in memory. Sattva Group and KONE Elevator India Pvt. Ltd. were recognized in the Best Specially-abled Friendly Elevator System category for the Sattva Knowledge Park project. The evaluation was based on design elements that include building and lobby access. It was observed that KONE’s “dedication to innovation has set new industry standards, making homes and elevators more accessible and convenient for all.”

In accepting the award and thanking Virgo, QCI and their partners, Bhadresh S., general manager and head of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Sattva Group, said Sattva Knowledge Park ensures that specially abled people have a positive experience.

The awards were conceptualized as a specific platform to honor noteworthy leaders from the VT industry and beyond.

Rajesh Bywar, director, New Building Solutions India and South Asia, KONE, thanked Virgo and QCI for KONE’s award along with Sattva for providing an opportunity to reflect on the importance of accessibility.

Following that, on receiving the award for KONE India when it was recognized for the Most Innovative Elevator at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Bywar again thanked Virgo and QCI for recognizing this feat. The award was presented for the most innovative new feature and design implemented in an elevator without compromising on accessibility and safety, based on an evaluation that included user-interface technology, safety features, convenience and ambience. “The 25.78-m2, 16-t passenger elevator not only put KONE on the world map, but also the whole of India on the world map, as it is the world largest passenger elevator,” Bywar pointed out.

On being conferred the Project of the Year 2022-2023 Award for the Statue of Unity, Balakrishnan R., vice president and head of MEP Design at Larsen & Toubro, said:

“This is a unique project, and it’s the tallest statue in the world. Moving people from ground level to that height was a difficult task, but we succeeded in allowing people to go up and see the statue from the top. The whole of Gujarat and the Narmada River — everything is visible. It was very difficult to design [the elevator system] within this statue, so a lot of effort was put forth by all. Our designer, Jagan, was directly involved. I would like to thank our partner, Otis, for supporting this unique project, as well as Johnson Lifts & Escalators and QCI and Virgo for making this happen. This is what we all wanted. Everybody needs to be together — the VT industry, construction teams and consultants. All of us must stand tall together to move forward in this country.”

While presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award honoring the late Shri K. J. John, founder of Johnson Lifts, Anitha said the award recognizes the contribution a leader who has done much for the industry and the nation, and the Virgo team was happy to have received a couple of nominations. QCI worked hard to determine the best fit for the award, she said.

K.J. John’s son, John K. John, Johnson Lifts chairman and managing director, said it was an extremely emotional moment for all when the award was presented. Thanking industry colleagues, Virgo and QCI, he said his father would have been 100 (years old) on the day of the awards ceremony, and that the company is 60 years old. The values instilled by K.J. John in everyone at Johnson Lifts drove it to its strong position today, he added.

The informal interactions that followed over cocktails and dinner reflected the combined energy of the VT industry and its stakeholders at a high-voltage level, marking a truly memorable occasion. After the event, Otis India highlighted its SLM Awards 2024 wins, including the prestigious Project of the Year, together with awards for outstanding achievements in modernization, maintenance and sustainability. “Otis elevator and escalator systems shape cities and transform how we live in a taller, faster and smarter world,” Otis India President Sebi Joseph said. “These awards are a testament to the passion and dedication that every member of the Otis India team brings to their work each and every day, and to the support and trust of our customers and passengers.”