INDUSTRY NEWS

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Posted August 25, 2008

NEW ESCALATORS PLANNED FOR KOLKATA METRO STATIONS
According to The Statesman, the Metro Railway in Kolkata plans to install four new escalators in its Rabindra Sarabor, Park Street, Central and MG Road metro stations. The improvements are part of the system's upgrades during the Durga Puja holiday season, during which it will also run 12 extra trains.

NAGPUR STATION TO GET ESCALATORS
The Times of India recently reported that the Nagpur Railway Station is one of 50 stations in India that will receive escalators. Indian Railways will install the escalators to improve access to the station's overbridges. About 10 million passengers use the Nagpur facility annually.

BEIJING'S OLYMPIC VILLAGE RECOGNIZED WITH LEED
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Olympic Village in Beijing has been recognized with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status. The residential development, which is housing about 16,000 athletes during in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, was cited in part for its use of elevators that generate electricity on their downward travel. LEED recognition is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Posted August 18, 2008

OTIS, SUPRIYA ESTABLISH JOINT VENTURE IN INDIA
Supriya Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Otis Elevator Co. (India) Ltd. have formed a joint venture to be headquartered in Chennai. The new Supriya Elevator Co. (India) Ltd. will serve the Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh markets. Otis has been operating in India for more than 50 years, while its new partner has served southern India for more than 15 years.

NAGPUR STATION TO GET ESCALATORS
The Times of India recently reported that the Nagpur Railway Station is one of 50 stations in India that will receive escalators. Indian Railways will install the escalators to improve access to the station's overbridges. About 10 million passengers use the Nagpur facility annually.

NEW ICC COMMITTEE FOR GREEN CONSTRUCTION
At its July 19 meeting, the International Code Council (ICC) Board of Directors approved the creation of a Sustainable Building Technology Committee (SBTC) to support its ongoing efforts in green, sustainable and safe construction. The SBTC intends to provide an open forum for discussion of sustainability and ensure that ICC members and stakeholders have a key voice in the debate. Its other tasks include developing proposed code changes and analysis/response of related changes and participating in the development of ICC guidelines to assist members and jurisdictional authorities in implementing sustainable construction practices in their communities.

SOUTHERN LIFTS AND IMEM LIFTS
Australia-based Southern Lifts has formed a business relationship with IMEM Lifts in Spain to supply a wider range of lifts in its market. IMEM specializes in the design and manufacture of standard and customized lifts, including machine-room-less, gearless, electric and hydraulic lifts. With the agreement, Southern Lifts can now supply custom-built lifts at lower prices for residential and commercial use.

Posted August 11, 2008

EW INDIA PUBLISHER VISITS EW'S U.S. OFFICES
Anitha Raghunath, co-publisher of ELEVATOR WORLD India, recently visited the offices of Elevator World, Inc. in the U.S. to meet various staff members and discuss future plans for the publication and its website. Ricia S. Hendrick called the visit "a great opportunity to forge closer relationships between our staffs" and noted that she sees a very bright future for EW India. For a photo essay of the visit, click here or the "EW in India" icon on the left.

TEN INJURED ON TOKYO ESCALATOR
Mainichi Japan recently reported that 10 passengers were injured on an escalator that stopped and reversed direction at a Tokyo exhibition and convention complex. The 16-meter-high escalator was rated to carry a maximum of 130 kilograms per step and designed to stop if this capacity was exceeded. None of people involved were seriously injured in the August 3 incident. The incident is being investigated. The passengers were attending Wonder Festival 2008 at Tokyo Big Sight.

UPCOMING ELEVATE™ 7 TRAINING SESSIONS
Elevate Version 7 courses are being offered in Dubai on October 22-23 and London on November 20-21. Each two-day event will include an Elevate Training Course on the first day and an Advanced Elevate Training Course on the second day. The material will be presented by Peters Research. For more information or to book a place in one of the sessions, visit website: www.peters-research.com/training.

Posted August 4, 2008

NEW RULES FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN CHANDIGARH
The Indian Express reported on July 24 that new building bylaws are going into effect in Chandigarh, India. The changes were recently approved by the union territory administrator. According to the report, the bylaws now allow "box-type structures with certain restrictions" and basements for certain commercial property. The revised rules include provisions for elevators.

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER
On July 28, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced its financial results for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Its net sales increased 1% when compared to the first quarter of 2007, while operating income increased 2% and net income was up 19%. Income before income taxes was JPY78.9 billion (US$732.9 million), an 18% increase from the same period last year. According to the announcement, "Despite a decrease in construction for new buildings due to revised building standards law in Japan, the building systems business experienced increases in both orders and sales from the previous fiscal year due to increases in domestic elevators and escalators for railroad companies and increases in the Middle East, India and Vietnam, as well as sales from large projects in the U.S."

ESCALATOR ADVERTISING SOUGHT IN MIDDLE EAST
According to AME Info, an Australia-based company is seeking licensed distributors to sell, install and manage advertising on escalator handrails in the Middle East. Escalator Handrail Media manufactures and prints film used for advertising on handrails. It already sells the product in Australia, where it can be seen on escalator handrails in many locations.

TOSHIBA REPORTS QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
In spite of a healthy performance in its elevator business, Toshiba Corp. reported its net sales, operating income, income before income taxes and minority interest, and net income were all lower in the first quarter of its current fiscal year than in the same period in 2007. Its Social Infrastructure segment, which includes Toshiba elevators, experienced increases in net sales and operating income for the first quarter when compared to the first three months of last year.

Posted July 28, 2008

NEW RULES FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN CHANDIGARH
The Indian Express reported on July 24 that new building bylaws are going into effect in Chandigarh, India. The changes were recently approved by the union territory administrator. According to the report, the bylaws now allow "box-type structures with certain restrictions" and basements for certain commercial property. The revised rules include provisions for elevators.

SPACE ELEVATOR CONSIDERED
Alan Boyle recently wrote about the 2008 Space Elevator Conference on msnbc.com, noting that the participants expressed a wide variety of opinions as to when, and if, the system would be built. Bradley Edwards of Black Line Ascension said it could be done for US$7-10 billion in 12-15 years, while Tom Nugent of LaserMotive opined it would never be built due to technical and safety concerns. In between, Ted Semon of the Space Elevator Blog concluded the space elevator would be built by either an industry consortium supported by the U.S. government or an alliance between the governments of India and Dubai.

BIDS SOUGHT FOR BAKU METRO
According to the Azerbaijan Business Center, the Baku Metro is seeking bids for the purchase and installation of three tunnel escalators. The escalators will be installed in the Icherishakhar metro station. Their height will be 40.73 meters. Bids will be received until 5 p.m. local time on August 29. The tender procedure will be held at 3 p.m. on September 1.

RESERVATIONS MADE FOR DUBAI’S DYNAMIC TOWER
The developers of the Dynamic Tower, a 426-meter-tall rotating structure planned for Dubai, recently reported that they had received requests from more than 600 people wishing to reserve residential units in the building. Designed by Italian architect David Fisher, the tower will have 80 floors, which will rotate independent of one another. The lower 20 floors will contain office space, while floors 21-35 will house a hotel. The remaining floors are primarily residential.

Posted July 21, 2008

ESCALATORS BEING CONSIDERED FOR DHAKA FOOTBRIDGES

The Daily Star recently reported that the Dhaka City Corp. (DDC) in Bangladesh is considering installing escalators at pedestrian bridges used to traverse busy streets to encourage the use of these bridges. The World Bank is financing a feasibility study to determine the best methods to get more pedestrians to use the bridges, which were built to allow for safer crossings at busy traffic points. According to the report, escalators were first suggested as a possibility during a meeting in February. The height of the pedestrian bridges in Dhaka is about 5.5 meters to allow the passage of double-decked buses. The resulting length of the stairs accessing the footbridges make it difficult for many people to climb. 

 

CHANGE IN EW CORRESPONDENTS

Shigeharu Kitamura, one of ELEVATOR WORLD’s Japan-based correspondents, has been named managing director and chief engineer for Taiwan Mitsubishi Elevator Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi's joint-venture company in Taiwan. He will continue to be an EW correspondent from his new base of operations. Yutaka Otagiri has been named as a new EW correspondent based in Japan. He is the senior manager, Global Business Strategy Section, Building Systems Overseas Marketing Department-A for Mitsubishi Electric Corp. 

 

SOFT-RUBBER-SOLED SHOES BANNED AT AUSTRALIAN MALL

According to The Manly Daily, a shopping mall in Manly, Australia has banned shoppers from wearing soft-rubber-soled shoes on escalators in the facility. Located near area beaches in this Sydney suburb, the mall took the measure to reduce accidents on the escalators. Thongs, such as those worn at the beach, and other soft-rubber-soled footwear have been involved in a number of escalator accidents in which the soft rubber is caught between moving parts of the people-moving equipment, resulting in injuries that include the loss of toes. Mall officials reported incidents involving the now-banned footwear and escalators, but none involving injuries. 

 

THYSSENKRUPP TO SUPPLY ESCALATORS TO AIR CHINA

ThyssenKrupp Fahrtreppen is supplying two custom-built mobile escalators for the Chinese airline Air China. The units will be used at Beijing International Airport for receiving guests of the state during and after the 2008 Olympic Games. Built in Hamburg, Germany, the escalators have a connecting height of up to 4.90 meters and are each mounted on a truck, which brings them to the aircraft. Two different docking heights allow docking with aircraft of different sizes. According to the company, the equipment is expected to arrive in China at the beginning of August.

 

Posted July 14, 2008

IEE EXPO™ SPONSORS TECH FORUM ’09
The International Elevator & Escalator Expo (IEE Expo) 2009 will offer a forum for the latest developments in vertical transportation systems, February 13-14, 2009, at the Chennai Trade Center, Chennai, India. Tech Forum ’09 will feature product and market presentations, case studies, round table discussions and other events. An exhibit will run concurrently. Participants presenting papers will be given space to display and demonstrate their products and services. For more information, contact event organizer Virgo Communications at #132, 1st Floor, 5th Cross, Cambridge Layout, Bangalore-560 008, India; phone: (91) 80-2556-7028; fax: (91) 80-2556-7028; e-mail: anitha@virgocommunication.com or info@ieeexpo.com; or website: www.ieeexpo.com.

ELEVATOR USE AFFECTED BY NEW KOREAN ENERGY POLICY
Arirang News recently reported that the South Korean government is taking measures to reduce energy consumption in the face of rising oil prices. The decision will affect some 800 public organizations. The government is expected to implement policies that will limit the use of elevators and decorative lighting, as well as affect temperature controls. Public agencies are being told by the government to implement an alternating driving-day schedule to further reduce energy consumption.

SCHINDLER INCREASES PRICES IN ASIA PACIFIC
Schindler has announced it is increasing prices in Asia Pacific by approximately 8.0% on all elevator products and 6.0% for escalators and moving walks. The increase is effective immediately. In a statement, the company said, “While improvements in production efficiency and sourcing have minimized the full impact, increases were necessary due to continuing escalation of fuel prices, and soaring prices for commodities and specialty metals, which impact Schindler’s costs for manufacturing and product transportation.”

EMAAR TO INCREASE BURJ DUBAI HEIGHT
Emaar Properties has announced its high-rise project, Burj Dubai, will surpass the previously planned 160 stories. Though still unfinished, Burj Dubai has already exceeded the height of the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, recognized as the world’s largest manmade structure. The final height of the building will be revealed on its completion in September 2009.

FATAL MINE ELEVATOR ACCIDENT IN CHINA
Reuters reported on July 10 that 11 Chinese coal miners died from injuries sustained when the elevator they were riding fell 30 meters in a mine shaft. The accident occurred in a 260-meter-deep shaft in Henan province in China. A broken bolt was blamed for the accident. According to the report, the possibility of power shortages in the country has resulted in the Chinese government ordering the reopening of some coal mines that are closed due to safety concerns. The State Administration of Coal Mine Safety reported 3,786 coal-mining-related deaths in China last year.

Posted July 7, 2008

IN MEMORIAM: K. SUBRAMANIAM
K. Subramaniam, retired senior manager, Field Operations Department for Otis Elevator Co. India Ltd. died on June 10 in Chennai, India, at the age of 68. He joined Otis Southern Region in 1970, first working in the Construction Department. An engineer, Subramaniam worked his way his way up to regional Field Operations manager. He was also associated with Fujitec India Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai for a short period. He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters and grandchildren.

ESCALATORS PLANNED FOR SUBURBAN MUMBAI STATIONS
Daily News Analysis recently reported that pairs of escalators will be installed at five railway stations in suburban Mumbai. The Central and Western Railways are expected to submit plans for the escalators to the railway board within a month. The stations at Dadar, Kalyan, Thane, Andheri and Borivili will each have two pairs of escalators adjacent to the foot-over-bridge staircases.

KONE ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Anne Korkiakoski has been appointed executive vice president, Marketing & Communications and member of the Executive Board for KONE Corp., effective September 1. She will be responsible the company’s Marketing, External and Internal Communications as well as Investor Relations. She will succeed Minna Mars, who is moving to the U.S., where she will be responsible for developing communications in KONE's "Environmental Excellence" development program. Tuomas Kahri, currently senior vice president, Global Marketing & Quality at KONE Corp., will begin working as head of Marketing and Communications at Hartwall.

Posted June 30, 2008

PROPOSED BANGALORE METRO SYSTEM
Bangalore, India is set to launch its own rail network by 2011. Dubbed “Namma Metro,” it is expected to carry 15% of the city’s traffic. A total of 180 coaches by 2011 and 270 by 2021 are planned. In funding the project, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corp. Ltd. (BMRCL) hopes to generate 10% of its revenues from non-fare sources and make the system commercially viable after its sixth year. BMRCL has promised an average speed of 32 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, offering a one-way trip in 23-28 minutes. All of the stations announced thus far will be elevated. At least six of the 30 planned stations will include a number of escalators and elevators each.

SCHINDLER OPENS TRAINING CENTER IN MUMBAI
The Schindler Training Centre in Mumbai was inaugurated on May 5 by the head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Doris Leuthard. The new facility is to train the Schindler Group’s engineers in the installation of the company’s best-selling global range of elevators -- the Schindler 3300 and 5300 -- for mid-rise residential and commercial buildings. The company’s launch of the products in India began with the facility’s inauguration. The new training center houses two elevator shafts for engineers to gain firsthand experience in installing the elevators. It is also equipped with classrooms fitted with simulators, a conference room and an “e-learning center.”

UPGRADES FOR WAH FU ESTATE IN HONG KONG
The Hong Kong Housing Department has announced plans to upgrade the facilities at the Wah Fu Estate, an 18-block residential complex. The department expects the repairs and improvements to sustain the 30-year-old development for another 15 years. The project will include new elevators and escalators to improve accessibility. Wah Fu Estate is located in the Southern District of Hong Kong.

MISSING MAN’S BODY FOUND IN MUMBAI HOISTWAY PIT
Daily News & Analysis recently reported that the body of a missing estate agent was found in the pit of a hoistway in a Mumbai apartment building on June 12. The 39-year-old man was first reported missing on June 10. According to the report, “Police have registered a case of accidental death,” but are investigating the incident further.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR UPDATE
ELEVATOR WORLD is pleased to announce that entries to its 11th Annual Project of the Year awards have already been received. Those wishing to be in the running for an award in one of eight categories of vertical transportation, however, do need to submit their entries by or on August 31. Entry forms detailing specific rules and requirements of the competition can be downloaded from www.elevator-world.com. All projects to be considered for awards must have been completed between June 1, 2005 and August 31, 2007.