INDUSTRY NEWS
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Posted February 2, 2009
APARTMENT COMPLEX TO SEE 79 ELEVATORS
Seventy-nine elevators are to be installed in Ban-po Xi, located in front of the Gang-nam express bus terminal. Most of the units are Otis Elevator’s Iris™ product, while six are from the company’s Gen2™ line. Two escalators are also slated for installation to connect the Ban-po subway station and the building. Under renovation by GS Construction Co., the apartment complex chose Otis because of its reputation for safety and the environmentally safe permanent-magnet gearless machines of its Iris line, according to Elevator and Parking Systems.
MANILA TO GET 34-STORY BUILDING
Cityland Development Corp. (CDC) has announced plans to construct a 34-story commercial/office/residential building on Jorge Bocobo Street in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. CDC recently announced that the building will be equipped with a variety of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, function rooms, and a swimming pool, gym and multipurpose deck. The company’s projects include medium- to high-rise office, commercial and residential condominiums in Makati City, Mandaluyong City, Ortigas Center, Manila and Pasig City.
Posted January 26, 2009
INDIAN RAILWAYS TO ADD ESCALATORS
The Hindu recently reported that the Railway Board in India has approved the installation of as many as 100 escalators in stations across the country. The escalators will be installed in what the board described as "A" category stations. Officials from some parts of the rail system have also approached the board about installing elevators. According to the report, the Delhi Metro is currently the only one in India with stations having both escalators and elevators.
BANGALORE METRO PLANS ADDITIONAL ELEVATORS
The Times of India recently reported that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corp. (BMRC) is planning for more elevators in the first phase of its Namma Metro extension. On January 15, BMRC invited tenders for the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of machine-room-less elevators for stations that are part of the extension. According to the report, "The original requirement was for about 85 elevators." The number of additional elevators will be announced later.
NEW AREA SALES MANAGER FOR BUCHER HYDRAULICS
Daniel Mettler joined Bucher Hydraulics on January 1 as sales manager Americas and Asia-Pacific. Mettler’s primary focus will be to restart sales of Bucher hydraulic elevator components in North America, following the recent acquisition by Bucher Industries of Monarch Hydraulics in the U.S. He will also be responsible to support the growing business. Mettler took over the regions previously supported by Patrick Scharpf, who left the company at the end of February.
Posted January 19, 2009
IN MEMORIAM: TERRENCE JOSS
Terrence Joss died December 30, 2008, in Mangalore. He began his career about 35 years ago when he became a welder. From this, Joss learned the nuances of the elevator trade, installing elevators and escalators (E&E) for Otis. He specialized in escalators. His work took him to the Middle East, Iran, southeastern Asia and Sudan. One of his first overseas projects was the Raffles City in Singapore.
NAKHEEL TOWER CONSTRUCTION SUSPENDED
Arabian Business recently reported that work on the Nakheel Harbor and Tower in Dubai has been suspended for 12 months. The tower portion of the project is designed to reach a height of about 1 kilometer, with some 200 floors and 150 elevators. The project was in the foundation phase of construction. Once work resumes, Nakheel officials expect to finish the foundation within three years. The entire project should take a decade to complete. According to the report, construction was halted by the developer due to the ongoing worldwide financial situation. The project is one of several where Nakheel has suspended construction for the time being.
ELEVATE TRAINING SCHEDULE SET FOR 2009
Peters Research Ltd. has announced its 2009 Elevate™ training schedule: New York, February 11-12; London, March 19-20; London, September 15-16; Augsburg, Germany (Interlift), October 13-14; Hong Kong, October 29-20; Sydney, November 2-3; and Las Vegas, December 2-3. The Elevate Training Course will be offered the first day of each two-day event, with the Advanced Elevate Training Course offered the second day. Peters Research noted the March 19 course in London is already full. For more information or to reserve a place, visit website: www.peters-research.com/training.
Posted January 12, 2009
IN MEMORIAM: T.V. AKHILESWARAN
T.V. Akhileswaran died January 3 in Goregaon, Mumbai, India. He had been in chemotherapy for several months at the time of his death. Known to his colleagues as TVA, Akhileswaran joined Otis Kandivali in 1970, initially working in the purchasing department. He later moved into a clerical position in accounts, where he assisted in the processing of vendor payment. He worked with Otis for 30 years.
VIETNAMESE FIRM TO EXPORT TO QATAR
According to the Voice of the Armed Forces and People, Thai Binh Elevator Co., Ltd. has announced plans to export 40 elevators, worth around US$800,000, to Qatar. Tran Tuan Anh, the company’s general director, stated that this is the company’s largest export contract to the Middle East. The elevators, with speeds of 1 mps, are suitable for low buildings. Along with Cambodia, which is considered Thai Binh Elevator’s key market, the company also markets its products in the Middle East and Laos. The company’s export turnover has increased by 23% so far in 2008.
HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS TO GET UPGRADES
The Hong Kong Housing Authority has announced plans to enhance access, and repair and maintenance service in public rental housing estates. On January 2, the authority's Subsidized Housing Committee decided to complete its program of adding elevators, escalators and footbridges in four years, rather than the originally planned five years. New elevators will be added to 35 residential blocks, many of which are seven stories tall with no lift services. All lifts more than 25 years old will also be replaced based on their breakdown rates, safety, comfort and energy efficiency.
SCHINDLER OPENS U.A.E. BRANCH OFFICES
Schindler has established its own branches in the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to sell, install and service the company's elevators and escalators in these markets. Schindler has been present in the U.A.E. for many years through local firms, which sold, installed and maintained Schindler products. Effective January 1, the new Schindler branches have assumed servicing Schindler installations. However, local firms will continue to install equipment sold prior to the opening of the new offices, with support from Schindler.
Posted January 5, 2009
SAFETY WEEK UNDERWAY IN DELHI
Thaindian recently reported that the Delhi Metro Rail Corp. (DMRC) is observing a safety awareness week January 1-7 to encourage commuters to safely use its elevators and escalators. Signs have been placed in metro stations with messages like, ”Watch your step as you get onto the escalator" and "Hold the railing.” According to the report, about 80 Scouts and Guides have volunteered to assist DMRC staff in distributing leaflets and otherwise raise safety awareness during the week. A safety seminar is planned for January 6. The Delhi Metro currently has about 165 elevators and about the same number of escalators in operation.
MANUFACTURING JOINT VENTURE BEGINS IN INDIA
The Hindu Business Line recently reported that Klaus Multiparking Systems India will manufacture mechanized-parking systems. The company is an equal-partner joint venture between Pune, India-based Automag Group and Germany-based Klaus. The manufacturing facility is located in Shirwal, India, and is expected to begin operations in January 2009. According to the report, the company will initially produce about 5,000 units.
SHOPPING CENTER TO INCLUDE 15- AND 25-STORY BUILDINGS
Viet Nam Construction Import and Export Corp. (Vinaconex) broke ground in December on a new shopping center in Hanoi. The Cho Mo Trading Centre will consist of two buildings. At 15 and 25 stories respectively, the buildings will total more than 11,000 m2 and be located in Hai Ba Trung District. They will include floors for trade services, offices, apartments and other services. Construction completion is expected in August 2011.
CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT IN CHINA
According to the Associated Press, the Chinese government recently reported that "at least 17 workers have been killed" in an elevator accident in Changsha, Hunan province. The December 27 accident occurred at a construction site for a real estate development. Another worker was seriously injured. The incident is being investigated.
HIGH SPEED ELEVATORS TO BE INCLUDED IN WADI TOWER
Wadi Tower, one of a series of high-rise buildings within City of Arabia in Dubailand, Dubai, will include high speed elevators in its 30 stories. Simplex Infrastructures won the contract for the tower for some AED168 million (US$45.7 million) and recently began construction. The tower will include luxury apartments, a health club and swimming pool, and is planned for completion by the end of 2010.
Posted December 29, 2008
SAFETY CONTEST WINNER
The most recent winner of the ELEVATOR WORLD Safety Awareness Contest is Ashwani Nigam of MTR in New Delhi, India. He was chosen among those who correctly identified the safety errors in the photograph on EW's Elevator Industry Jobsite Safety website. The errors included: safety lines are not secured/crossing each other, no barricades on edge of roof/working too close to edge and tools lying on roof are tripping hazards. A new photo is now posted on the contest website (http://safety.elevator-world.com/safety_contest.htm). The picture is posted for two weeks. One entrant who correctly identifies the safety violations in the photo will be selected to win. The winner will have the option of receiving a one-year subscription to the digital ELEVATOR WORLD magazine (or a one-year extension for those already subscribing) or a US$10 gift coupon to the EW Online Bookstore.
BANGALORE TO GET 56 SKYWALKS WITH ESCALATORS
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) intends to erect skywalks with escalators at 56 busy locations under 14 packages in Bangalore to facilitate road crossing for pedestrians. According to BBMP, the skywalks are proposed with attractive escalators of adequate capacity on both sides of the road to facilitate the vertical movement of users. The packages are to be erected on a design-build-operate-transfer system in which BBMP provides the land, and its partners design, erect, operate and maintain the equipment after conducting a pedestrian traffic-volume study. These partners would be offered advertisement rights for 10 years per BBMP bylaws to recover the cost of construction, operation and maintenance. In September 2008, BBMP released a call for expression of interest from pertinent agencies.
OTIS HONG KONG RECOGNIZED
The Institute of Human Resource Management and South China Morning Post awarded Otis Elevator Company (H.K.) Ltd. (Otis) the People Management Awards 2008 in the large enterprise category. The award was given in recognition of the company's strategic and holistic approach to use employee engagement to boost business growth. Central to Otis’ efforts was the establishment of the Group 50, consisting of senior and middle managers from all business functions. The initiative aligned this group of key influencers and opinion leaders with the company’s strategic direction, while engaging them to articulate business strategies to address market challenges.
THE AZIZI CRYSTAL UNVEILED
TradeArabia News Service recently reported on the unveiling of the Azizi Crystal residential tower at a launch event held in London. A project of Dubai-based Azizi Investments, the tower is being developed at Palm Jebel Ali in the U.A.E. The high-rise podium tower consists of a ground floor topped by 21 stories of residential units. The launch event was held December 2.
Posted December 22, 2008
BANGALORE MALLS REDUCE ENERGY USE
The Times of India recently reported that 10 shopping malls in Bangalore, India, have reduced energy usage in response to a request from the Bangalore Electricity Supply Co. (BESCOM). The malls were able to reduce energy consumption during November when compared to the average consumption of the previous three months. According to the report, the effort began after representatives from the large retail complexes met with BESCOM on October 25. Included in the energy-saving measures was the stoppage of down escalators.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR FOR ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction have announced that the China (Beijing) International Trade Fair for Elevators and Their Maintenance Technique and Equipment 2009 will be held June 18-20 at the China International Exhibition Center. In addition to the trade fair, the organizers are offering an Urban Construction & Elevator Forum. For more information, contact Xue Yang at the China Architectural Culture Center, Floor 4 and 6, China Architectural Culture Center Tower, No. 13, Sanlihe Road, Haidian District, Beijing; phone: 86-010-64007477; fax: 86-010-64018172; or e-mail: yangxue7469@163.com.
RAIL PROJECT TO LINK ASIA AND EUROPE
Schindler recently announced it will supply 59 escalators and nine elevators for a railway line that will link Asia and Europe via an underwater tunnel. The railway tunnel will run under the Bosporus Strait near Istanbul. Japan-based Taisei Corp. is the contractor for the rail project. Schindler will begin delivering the equipment next year, with the last of the escalators expected to be installed by 2012.
Posted December 15, 2008
CHINESE LAWMAKERS WANT MORE LIFT INSPECTIONS
The Standard recently reported that lawmakers in China are calling for more elevator inspections. According to the report, the government recently increased the ratio of inspections from one in 10 to one in seven elevators in Hong Kong, but at least one lawmaker sees that as not being sufficient. In addition, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is offering three-month courses for elevator technicians who have experience but lack credentials.