Schindler Receives Service Contract

Schindler has received a major service contract with Simon Property Group, one of the world’s largest real-estate companies. The contract will include the maintenance of more than 750 elevators and escalators in 81 shopping malls and two office buildings throughout the U.S. Schindler will also provide modernization and repair work, including escalator replacements. “We have been working with local Schindler offices since 2008. They’ve done a great job for us and have proven to be an extremely customer-friendly company that anticipates our needs,” Paul E. Beadle, director of purchasing for Simon Properties, said.

Kone Acquires Ascent Elevator Services

KONE has acquired Ascent Elevator Services, Inc., an independent elevator-service company in San Francisco. KONE and Ascent are combining elevator operations under the KONE name. Larry Wash, KONE executive vice president and Area director for the Americas, said: “The combined Ascent and KONE teams welcome the opportunity to continue to provide outstanding service to [their] customers.”

Otis Receives Contract for Lax Terminal

Otis was awarded a contract with W.E. O’Neil Construction in December 2012 to provide 24 Gen2® elevators and modernize 29 additional elevators at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The modernization work is among a series of capital-improvement projects aimed at enhancing safety, security and service at one of the world’s busiest airports. Otis was also awarded a five-year maintenance contract. The project is expected to be completed in early 2016.

“Otis is honored to once again be selected to provide our energy-efficient products and expertise at LAX,” remarked Randy Wilcox, president, Otis North and South America Area. “This project builds on the support we are providing for modernization work at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.”

Otis is also nearing completion on a project it was awarded in 2010 at LAX. The Bradley West project, in which the company is providing 92 elevators, escalators and moving walks, is underway to modernize LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal. Completion is expected early this year.

Altra Holdings Listed Among Best Small Companies

Altra Holdings Inc., a global designer and producer of electromechanical power transmission products, was listed among Forbes magazine’s 100 Best Small Public Companies in America for the second consecutive year. Headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, Altra employs more than 3,400 throughout the world and, as of December 2012, was completing the construction of its new manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China.

The Forbes list includes companies with sales and earnings growth, and candidates are required to have been publicly traded for at least one year with revenues between US$5 million and US$1 billion. According to Altra’s President and CEO, Carl Christenson, the company’s new facility and its acquisition of Lamiflex, a coupling manufacturer in Brazil, helped the company maintain its gross margins and operating income, despite some slowing in various markets.

Maxton to Conclude Distributorship

Maxton Manufacturing Co. has announced it will conclude Draka Elevator Products’ distributorship and marketing efforts for the SafeTach Elevator Performance Meter manufactured by Maxton. As of January 1, Maxton resumed its duty as the sole source for the product for both domestic and international sales. All orders received by Draka after that date will be referred back to Maxton for processing and fulfillment.

Kone Revolution Named Product of The Year

The KONE ReVolution™ elevator modernization solution was named one of the best new products of the year by Architectural Record. The product was featured in the magazine’s December 2012 issue in the Special Construction & Conveying Systems category as one of the most innovative offerings available to architects, specifiers and designers in 2013. The complete elevator-system upgrade aims to combine the advantages of gearless technology with controller and door operation. The upgrade features the company’s EcoDisc® motor, which consumes less power and produces less heat than traditional traction elevators and offers energy savings of up to 40% compared to that of conventional gearless and geared elevators.

Thyssenkrupp’s Modernization System Named “Top Pick”

In December 2012, ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas announced its Geared to Gearless Modernization System was named “TOP PICK” Record Product 2012 by Architectural Record. The product was chosen based on its position in the specialties and conveyance category. According to Richard Hussey, president and CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator, “The [system] creates an innovative and cost-effective solution that can be implemented to increase energy efficiency and save our customers [operating expenses].”

VDA Acquires Elevator Consulting Firm

Livingston, New Jersey-based Van Deusen and Associates (VDA) has acquired San Francisco-based consulting firm Hesselberg, Keesee & Associates, Inc. The acquisition enables VDA to serve the West Coast and Asia markets. “[Hesselberg] is a well-run company with a strong brand and an excellent track record for providing [quality] customer service. This is a great fit and another big step toward our goal of expanding our presence in key North American markets,” VDA President M. Wade Smith said.

Tom Wendt, principal of Hesselberg, will serve as vice president of VDA’s new West Coast operation. “We are looking forward to being a part of VDA, a firm with a stellar reputation in our industry,” Wendt said.

Second Annual Shoot for Honor And Support For Homeless Veterans

The elevator industry is planning to step it up again with its Third Annual Shoot for Honor and Support, which will be held on March 8. In spring 2012, the second annual event was held at the Ten Mile River Preserve in Dover Plains, New York, and proved to be more successful than the first. The event’s chair, Scott Akin of Elevator Doors, Inc./Elevator Cabs, Inc. (EDI/ECI) welcomed the crowd that had grown from 17 attendees in 2011 to 47 in 2012.

The weather turned out to be cooperative and was slightly on the warmer side in comparison to the previous year, which was cold during the March event. The shooters turned out well prepared, and the industry was supported in full force for this worthwhile cause.

Donations, prizes and monetary support were provided by various companies. The top gun award went to Rich L’Esperance, Jr. of Centennial Elevator, and the grand prize winner receiving the over/under shotgun donated by GAL was Nicholas J. Montesano, president of DTM Elevator Consulting Service, Inc. The committee put much effort into this great cause and raised US$12,000 for charity. Even the staff at Ten Mile River Preserve donated their tips for the day.

Greenleaf Launches Testing, Inspection Business

Greenleaf Capital Partners, LLC has announced the launch of American Testing & Inspection Services, LLC (ATIS), a nationwide testing, inspection and certification business. With the start-up investment from Greenleaf and other investors, ATIS seeks to hire additional personnel to its current 11 employees and make select acquisitions of existing testing and inspection firms throughout the U.S. from its headquarters in St. Louis. Through wholly owned subsidiary ATIS Elevator Inspections, ATIS will initially provide safety inspection and test witnessing services for cranes, elevators, escalators and other forms of transportation equipment, and has plans to expand its service base.

ATIS is undergoing licensing in 10 states and plans to continue building a national presence to better service both local and national contracts. Chip Smith, principal of Greenleaf and chairman of ATIS, remarked:

“ATIS has positioned itself to capitalize on an emerging phenomenon that we have been monitoring for several months. We have developed a substantial portion of the necessary infrastructure and can now focus on more important tasks, like recruiting and retaining top-quality employees and providing unparalleled customer service.”

Kone Acquires Accurate Elevator

KONE has acquired Accurate Elevator Inspection Services, Inc. an independent elevator company in Naples, Florida. The companies will combine elevator operations under the KONE name during the next few months. Accurate has been headquartered in Naples since 2003, and KONE already has a strong presence in the area.