NAESA, EHC Global make major appointments.

Shepherd Appointed NAESA Executive Director

Robert D. “Bob” Shepherd has been appointed NAESA International executive director. He retired from Otis in 2015 as manager of Codes and Product Safety for North and South American Operations. He comes to NAESA with extensive field, managerial and code experience, having joined the elevator industry in 1973 as a helper and becoming an International Union of Elevator Constructors mechanic in 1975. He has

worked in the field for Eastern Elevator and United Elevator. For the past 32 years, he held positions of increasing responsibility with Otis, including supervisor, service manager and Product Development field manager.

Shepherd has been active in several A17 working committees and is a member of the A17 QEI committee. As a NAESA member, he has given presentations on codes, new technology and safety at universities, symposiums, AHJ offices and U.S. Department of Defense locations. He has been a QEI since 2004 and is a member of the American National Standards Institute-accredited NAESA Board of Certification. Shepherd developed the industry safety initiative “Stay Safely Pinned.”

EHC Hires Director of Marketing

EHC Global (EHC) has appointed John M. Calderon its director of Marketing. His responsibilities include marketing strategy and branding, corporate communications, media relations, trade-show management and business intelligence. He will be based in the company’s headquarters in Oshawa, Canada. Calderon joins EHC with more than 15 years of marketing and business development experience. His previous positions include marketing and communications manager at L-3 Aviation Products, vice president of marketing and business development at ASI Technologies, publisher at Reed Construction Data, and marketing and communications roles at IPS Automation and Hayward Gordon.

Jeno Eppel, president of EHC, commented:

“We are excited to have [Calderon] join the EHC senior executive team. His depth of marketing and business-development experience, which covers a wide variety of industries and global markets, will enable EHC to effectively grow and penetrate new markets.”

Sixth Lift Symposium Details Announced

The Sixth Lift & Escalator Symposium is planned for September 21-22 at Highgate House in Northampton, U.K., the University of Northampton, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Lifts Group and Lift and Escalator Industry Association announce. The annual event brings together vertical-transportation experts and provides an opportunity for speakers to present peer-reviewed papers. For more information or to submit an abstract, visit liftsymposium.org.

Contracts

Retail, infrastructure projects among those driving business for OEMs around the globe.

Jardine Schindler Lands Massive Thai Mall Deal

Jardine Schindler has won a contract from The Mall Group to supply 278 units to new and expanding malls across Thailand. The company’s equipment is set to go into The Emsphere mixed-used development in Bangkok, as well as BLU PORT in Ha Hin and BLU Pearl in Phuket, both shopping complexes with additional features such as hotels, theme parks and convention centers. It will also be used in the renovation of the Mall Korat. The Mall Group anticipates annual tourism to Thailand to grow from approximately 25 million to 40 million within five years, fueling demand for shopping and entertainment. The order includes 60 5500 elevators, 212 9300 AE escalators and six moving walks. Jardine Schindler observes the order includes a machine-room-less elevator able to traverse 50 stories in 50 s.

Xizi Otis to Supply New Metro Lines in China

Xizi Otis is furthering an already-strong relationship with the Chinese metro system with a pair of orders to supply 191 units to a new line in Changsha and 132 units to a new line in Shanghai. Scheduled to be completed by late 2018, Changsha Metro Line 3 will be outfitted with 160 XO21NP high-traffic escalators and 31 energy-efficient machine-room-less Gen2® elevators, while Shanghai Metro Line 17 work involves 28 Gen2 elevators and 104 XO21NP escalators. The new Shanghai line is scheduled to start operation in 2018. 

109-Unit Order for KONE in Helsinki

KONE has been hired by construction company SRV to supply 61 elevators and 48 escalators to REDI, a mixed-use development taking shape in Helsinki. REDI includes a shopping center, underground car park, six residential towers, a hotel tower and an office tower. It is scheduled to be completed in phases starting in 2018, with full buildout anticipated by 2023. It will have what would be the tallest buildings in Finland at 132 m. The order consists of 26 MiniSpaceTM, 17 MonoSpaceTM 700, nine TranSysTM and nine Monospace 500 elevators, 38 TravelMasterTM 110 and six TravelMaster 120 escalators and four TransitMasterTM moving walks.

Noud Veeger, executive vice president for KONE Central and North Europe, remarked:

“REDI is a significant project for us in many ways. This order includes the fastest residential building elevators in Finland, traveling at a speed of 5 mps. The elevators in the towers feature tailored interiors designed by the architect. We are also exploring other KONE solutions with SRV.”

Otis to Supply Harbin Yintai City

Otis Elevator China Co. Ltd. has been hired to install 130 energy-efficient machine-room-less Gen2® elevators at Harbin Yintai City, a mixed-use development in Harbin expected to wrap up by the end of 2016. The order also includes an unspecified number of LINK escalators.

Hitachi Receives 63-Unit Order for Vietnam Rail Line

Elevator Asia Pte. Ltd., the division of Hitachi serving Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, received an order to supply 32 elevators and 31 escalators to 11 elevated train stations in Urban Railway Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Representing the largest order ever for Hitachi in Vietnam, the units are scheduled for delivery in 2017. Since establishing a presence in Vietnam in 2009, Hitachi has provided more than 60 elevators, primarily to low- and mid-rise buildings. This is the first order for Hitachi escalators in Vietnam. With establishment of the first urban railway in the country and continued growth, Hitachi anticipates increased demand for its vertical-transportation systems.

Alimak Handling US$1.26-Million Refinery Order

Alimak Group is delivering a US$1.26-million industrial elevator order to a client in the Middle East for use on an oil refinery. The order includes both traction and rack-and-pinion technology. Alimak Group CEO Tormod Gunleiksrud said winning the order is a reflection of the company’s expanded ability to offer traction and hydraulic elevators, in addition to its traditional rack-and-pinion systems, thanks to the acquisition of Heis-Tek (ELEVATOR WORLD, July 2014). The company observes it is “one of the few suppliers with the ability to provide total elevator services and inspection support globally to the oil and gas industry, both onshore and offshore.”

Plans for Warsaw’s Tallest Tower Approved

Plans to build a 230-m-tall office tower in central Warsaw have won approval from city leaders, Eurobuild Central & Eastern Europe reported. Should it be built, the tower by Slovakian developer HB Reavis will be the tallest in Warsaw, surpassing the 180-m-tall Palace of Culture and Science. Designed by Foster + Partners, the building has an angled profile with its roof rising from 182 to 230 m. Plans call for the building’s 115,000 m2 to be divided into 63,800 m2 of office space, 3,200 m2 of service space and 1,000 m2 of retail. No timeframe was given for the project, which would take shape on property within close proximity to the Złoty Tarasy shopping center.

New Factories and Expansions

OEMs are making investments in Germany, South Korea and China.

thyssenkrupp Expands Neuhausen Facility

thyssenkrupp has expanded its elevator manufacturing facility in Neuhausen, Germany, to include a technology park and sales/service center. Along with other modernizations and upgrades in Neuhausen over the past three years, the expansion represents an investment of approximately US$130.7 million. More than 1,500 employees are based at the location, where thyssenkrupp Elevator CEO Andreas Schierenbeck said “the most innovative elevators for the world’s tallest buildings will be produced in the future.”

Mitsubishi Building South Korean Elevator Factory

Mitsubishi Elevator Korea Ltd. (KMEC) is building a US$27-million, 19,300-m2 factory in the Incheon Free Economic Zone in South Korea. Scheduled to open in April 2017, it will have an annual production capacity of 4,000 units and approximately 120 employees. The factory’s R&D division will absorb certain functions currently located at Inazawa Works in Japan, which Mitsubishi Electric states “will enable KMEC to collaborate more closely with Inazawa Works in product development, thereby strengthening response to global market needs.” The factory promises to enable Mitsubishi Electric to begin offering elevators with speeds of up to 360 fpm, and enhance its ability to serve the Middle Eastern and Association of Southeast Asian Nation markets. It is also set to include an 80-m-tall test tower and training center.

KONE Adds Test Tower to China Site

KONE and local officials recently welcomed a 36-floor, 235-m-tall test tower at the KONE manufacturing, engineering and R&D facility in Kunshan, China (ELEVATOR WORLD, June 2013). The tallest among KONE’s eight test towers worldwide, the structure houses 12 shafts for testing new technology and the world’s first double-deck elevator to use KONE’s UltraRope™. The unit carries passengers at 10 mps to a sky lobby and showroom. KONE CEO and President Henrik Ehrnrooth opined:

“The new test tower demonstrates our strong commitment to developing R&D in mid- and high-rise elevator technology. We are the industry leader in China, and this investment will further strengthen our position in a rapidly changing market.”

Canada Happenings

A safety award and tall buildings in major cities

DeMeyer among BCSA Honorees

Ray DeMeyer, a professional engineer and principal of Vertech Elevator Services, was among seven individuals to receive the Lt. Governor Safety Award from the British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) during a gala event in 2015 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, Canada. DeMeyer was a longtime member and vice chairman of the former Elevating Devices Safety Authority Committee for British Columbia. He currently serves as co-chair of BCSA’s Elevating Devices Technology Advisory Committee. He has participated in and chaired various codes and standards subcommittees, combining expertise from various industry representatives with his own knowledge and research to develop parallel codes and standards in other jurisdictions. BCSA observed that DeMeyer “is well known as a bridge builder within his industry, and a promoter of positive changes to safety and adherence to code.”

Modernist Skyscraper Planned in Toronto

UrbaCon and BRL Realty hope to build a 43-story, 158-m-tall mixed-use tower in the northern part of Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood, Urban Toronto reported. Located at Bay and Scollard streets, the building would have a stepped, modernist appearance with punched windows. Architects are Foster + Partners and RAW Design. Approximately 110 residences, more than 130 parking spaces and amenities are planned. In late 2015, the plan was still in the approval process, and those involved acknowledged the design could change in light of a high-rise sensitive public school nearby.

Carved Tower Would Distinguish Vancouver Skyline

Westbank Projects Corp., the developer behind such notable Vancouver projects as Shangri-La Vancouver and Telus Garden, is proposing to build a 40-story residential tower in downtown Vancouver with an interesting carved design by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Vancity Buzz reported. Located at 1550 Alberni Street in the West End neighborhood, the building would have approximately 190 residences, ground-level retail and a public Japanese moss garden. If it is approved, the structure promises to help Vancouver change its reputation as a city with boring architecture.

Pair of Mixed-Use Skyscrapers for Tokyo’s Shibuya

A 37-story, 180-m-tall and 32-story, 150-m-tall skyscraper are on the drawing board in the neighborhood emerging around Tokyo’s Shibuya Station, Real Estate Japan reported. The buildings are set to contain offices, commercial space, residences, medical facilities and childcare facilities, all aimed at attracting expatriates. Working with the Tokyo government, Tokyu Corp. is the developer. It aims to break ground in 2017 and finish the project in 2020.

Australia Activity

Multiple-tower developments among proposals Down Under.

Major Skyscraper Development OK’d in Melbourne

City leaders in Melbourne, Australia, recently approved Malaysia-based PD Development Holdings’ plan to build a six-skyscraper development on a car park at 93-119 Kavanagh Street in Southbank, The Age reported. To take shape in the shadow of approximately two dozen skyscrapers, including the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest, Australia 108 (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2014), being built nearby, the project would include four residential towers up to 72 stories, a 54-story hotel and a 37-story office building, along with retail. It would be built in phases, with a pair of residential towers, a childcare center and retail going up first.

Iconic “Vertical Village” Approved in Sydney

The City of Sydney has approved a plan to build a 49-story, 200-m-tall “vertical village,” a commercial tower consisting of five glassy volumes stacked on top of each other at 50 Bridge in the Circular Quay precinct, World Architecture News reported. Designed by Danish firm 3XN, which worked with AMP Capital and the city on the plan, Quay Quarter Tower is intended to provide an intimate, low-rise office-building feel, despite being a tall tower. Each volume will have its own atrium and outdoor garden terrace, and each is situated to make the most of natural light as well as views of the surrounding area, including the Sydney Opera House and harbor. No construction timeframe was given.

80-Story Development Proposed in Brisbane

Aria Property Group of Brisbane has submitted an application to city authorities to build an 80-story, 274-m-tall tower designed by RotheLowman on retail thoroughfare Edward Street, The Urban Developer reported. With a rather traditional glass-façade design that appears to be partially sheathed in concrete, it would have residential units on most floors with commercial and retail space at the ground and podium levels, in addition to multiple levels of parking. The height is the maximum allowed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Details for Sydney Apartment/Hotel Project Set

Chinese developer Dalian Wanda won approval to build a 57-story apartment building and 179-room hotel at Circular Quay in Sydney, The Urban Developer reported. Dalian Wanda planned to launch sales in 2016 and will be offering 184 apartments, including four penthouses. The 110-m-tall hotel is set to include a 620-person ballroom. In late 2015, a construction timeframe had not been given.

Paris City Hall Greenlights Tours Duo

Paris City Hall has granted construction permits to Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc. to build Tours Duo, consisting of 27- and 39-story office towers along with a hotel, restaurant and public areas along the Seine River, Bloomberg News reported. The complex will cover approximately 1.16 million sq. ft. and is designed by Jean Nouvel. Ivanhoe Cambridge, which has done similar projects in Chicago and Toronto, anticipates Tours Duo will become a top office destination. The company plans to start construction when at least 50% of the space is spoken for. 

U.K. Developments

Proposed buildings would be tallest in two respective cities.

1 Undershaft Envisioned in London’s Financial District

The Guardian was among publications to recently report on plans to build 1 Undershaft between the Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater) and 30 St Mary Axe (Gherkin) in London’s Financial District. Architect Eric Parry is responsible for the design of the 90,000-m2 office building, which has a square footprint and is relatively restrained, meant to complement, rather than upstage, its neighbors. With crisscrossing red bracing and horizontal white louvres, 1 Undershaft would stand 73 stories and 309.6 m – a touch taller than the Shard. Parry said he would like there to be significant public space with cafes and shops at ground level, where historic churches stand in the shadow of their modern neighbors. In late 2015, the plan for the property was still under review, and no timeframe was given.

Wales’ Tallest Residential Building in the Works

Developer Watkin Jones Group hopes to start construction in 2016 on what would be the tallest building in Cardiff, Wales, WalesOnline reported. Located on Customhouse Street next to a Radisson hotel and apartment buildings, the 433-ft.-tall, 42-story building is set to contain student housing and ground-level commercial space. Wales’ current tallest building is the 351-ft.-tall Meridian Tower in Swansea. Should it gain approval, the Watkins Jones project is scheduled for delivery in 2018.

CiA 417 for Lift Control Updated

CAN in Automation (CiA) has released new versions of the CiA 417 (CANopen Lift standard) application profile for lift control. The four-part specification’s update culminates three years of work. Version 2.2.0 is mostly modified in Part 4, which specifies in detail the application objects (process data and configuration parameters). Input and output functions have been added. Other new parameters are related to the inverter virtual device (car drive unit). It also contains improved general definitions in Part 1 (version 2.2.0), additional parameters for program download purposes in Part 2 (version 2.2.0) and an updated table of CAN-IDs used for lift controller 1 in Part 3-1 (version 2.1.0). CiA notes the interoperability of the connected devices from different manufacturers is one of the most important benefits of CiA 417. The latest versions of it are accessible only for CiA members. Nonmembers can download version 2.0.0 for free.

Middle East Projects

Massive developments in the works in Iraq, U.A.E.

“Vertical City” Would Have World’s Tallest Tower

Groundbreaking vertical transportation would be part of The Bride tower, a proposed building in Basra Province, Iraq, by AMBS Architects that, at 1,152 m and 230 stories, would be the new world’s tallest structure, dezeen reported, surpassing both the Kingdom Tower and Burj Khalifa in height. It is part of a four-tower, mixed-use “vertical city” that also includes 724-, 484- and 61-m-tall towers. A glazed canopy on the building’s south façade resembles a veil and would shield it from heat. The building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. No timeframe for the project was given.

Sharjah Developer Thinks Big with Waterfront City

A developer in Sharjah, U.A.E., hopes to build the multibillion-U.S.-dollar Sharjah Waterfront City along 22 mi. of the emirate’s northeastern coastline over the coming years, Emirates 24/7 reported. The plan is ambitious, with 200 mixed-use towers, 95 apartment buildings, hotels, malls, schools and mosques on 10 newly constructed islands. A water park aimed at attracting tourists is also planned. Sharjah Oasis Real Estate Development Co. is confident it can assemble financing and have the first phase complete by the third quarter of 2018.

Manama Eyed for Pair of 49-Story Towers

Wiel Arets Architects of Zurich, Switzerland, has proposed a pair of 49-story, mixed-use towers in the emerging district of Bahrain Bay in Manama, Bahrain, designboom reported. Residences in the towers would have covered terraces to help alleviate heat from the sun, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows with adjustable louvers. Ground-level retail, public space and resident amenities are also part of the plan. No construction timeframe was given.

Belarusian/Chinese Partnership to Provide Mall Escalators

OAO Mogilevliftmash in Mogilev, Belarus, has partnered with an established Chinese manufacturer to produce escalators for shopping malls and other facilities, Belarusian Telegraph Agency reported. At the end of 2015, OAO Mogilevliftmash reported that the first unit had passed trials, and agreements had been made to install three units in Mogilev, Minsk and Vitebsk in 2016. The first unit consisted of approximately 30% Belarusian parts, and OAO Mogilevliftmash hopes to increase that to 50% as it pursues further deals in Russia and Kazakhstan.