The Ellies Awards 2021

ELEVATOR WORLD presents the winning companies of the fourth annual competition for excellence in the North American elevator industry.

As the world and the vertical-transportation industry strives to get back to normal — or at least a “new normal” — during the pandemic, our fourth-annual Ellies Awards program generated as much excitement as ever. For the first time this year, ELEVATOR WORLD President T. Bruce MacKinnon hosted a live winners announcement ceremony over Zoom in September. Although brief and indicative of the new world in which we live, the event was packed with tension and joy as 125 participants watched and waited to hear whether MacKinnon announced them as the winner or runner-up. There is no doubt that cheers and sighs could be heard in offices throughout North America. Meanwhile, the National Association of Elevator Contractors 2021 (live-and-in-person) Convention & Exposition was approaching at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans in early October. EW attended, bringing our Ellies photo backdrop. Roughly half of the winners stopped by our booth to pick up their award and have their pictures taken. Masks and convention center “mask police” aside, it was certainly a pleasure to see and congratulate them.

Nominated by and voted on by the industry, the Ellies Awards appear to be here to stay. The first year — 2018 — saw more than 12,000 votes, and the contest’s popularity and competitiveness have only increased since with nearly triple the number — 34,000 — in 2019 and a comparable number this year. Nomination forms ranged from only a few words: “They’re the best!” to detailed testimonials about customer service, commitment to safety, large selections and top technology at competitive prices. Great leadership, big dreams and treating staff as family were also mentioned. One nominator, a customer, explained that, while many companies he contacted for his project said his request was “impossible,” the company he nominated met the challenge and delivered. Another nominator pointed out how his nominee consistently provided friendly, fast service — particularly important for the nominator, since many of his customers are nursing homes with residents “who cannot wait.”

A hearty congratulations to all this year’s winners and runners up!

Draka—EHC

Best Supplier (Ropes)
Headquarters: Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Runner-Up: Wurtec
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio

Draka—EHC

Best Supplier (Safety Products)

Runner-Up: Quad City Safety, Inc.
Headquarters: Davenport, Iowa

DTM Drafting & Consulting Services

Best Inspection Company
Headquarters: NYC

Runner-Up: Liberty Elevator Experts
Headquarters: Newark, Delaware

Elevadores Alamex

Best Supplier (Parts)
Headquarters: Mexico City

Runner-Up: KONE Spares
Headquarters: Moline, Illinois

FabACab

Best Supplier (Cabs/Doors/Interior Finishes)
Headquarters: Middletown, Indiana

Runner-Up: Wittur (USA)
Headquarters: Twinsburg, Ohio

Franz by relayr

Best Supplier (Software)
Headquarters: Chicago

Runner-Up: Expert Service Solutions
Headquarters: Huntington, Connecticut

Hill Hiker, Inc.

Best Special Application/Accessibility Company
Headquarters: Orono, Minnesota

Runner-Up: Savaria Concord Lifts (Ontario)
Headquarters: Brampton, Ontario

Lerch Bates

Best Consultancy
Headquarters: Denver

Runner-Up: DTM Drafting & Consulting Services
Headquarters: NYC

Liberty Elevator Corporation

Best Family-Owned Business
Headquarters: Paterson, New Jersey

Runner-Up: Champion Elevator Corp.
Headquarters: NYC

MAD Elevator, Inc.

Best Supplier (Other)
Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario

Runner-Up: New York Information Systems (Elevatorkeys.com)
Headquarters: NYC Metropolitan Area

Midwest Elevator

Best Contractor (North)
Headquarters: St. Louis

Runner-Up: Colley Elevator
Headquarters: Bensenville, Illinois

Motion Control Engineering (MCE)

Best Supplier (Controllers)
Headquarters: Rancho Cordova, California

Otis

Best Supplier (Complete Systems)
Headquarters: Farmington, Connecticut

Runner-Up: Elevadores Alamex
Headquarters: Mexico City

Richmond Elevator

Best Contractor — Canada
Headquarters: Richmond, British Columbia

Runner-Up: Stampede Elevator, Inc.
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta

Southern Elevator

Best Contractor — South
Headquarters: Charlotte

Runner-Up: Madden Elevator
Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky

Southwest Elevator

Best Contractor — West
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

Runner-Up: Star Elevator
Headquarters: San Francisco

Standard Elevator Systems

Best Supplier (Motors/Drives)
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee

Runner-Up: Hollister-Whitney — A Vantage Company
Headquarters: Quincy, Illinois

TEI Group

Best Contractor — East
Headquarters: NYC

Runner-Up: Nouveau Elevator
Headquarters: NYC

Vator Accessories

Best Minority/Women and Veteran-Owned
Headquarters: Addison, Illinois

Runner-Up: Collins Elevator Service, Inc.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.