Much to the delight of Jakob Zueger, chief executive officer of Schindler Americas, a $40 million contract has been awarded the company in an effort to put into placement effective solutions for the modernization of LA International Airport.

Jakob Zueger was stated as saying, “We are proud to have been chosen as the supplier of the equipment for the LAX rejuvenation and look forward to working with Los Angeles World Airports on this vital project.”

What will the $40 million contracted to Schindler be used for?

In addition to the 70 escalators, elevators, and moving walks that will be supplied by the company, Schindler will use the money to remove and replace four moving walks, modernize and update six hydraulic passenger elevators, as well as replace 60 escalators.

This major modernization overhaul at LA International Airport will also include new gates that will easily accommodate the Airbus A380; a refurbishing of the Main Tom Bradley International Terminal; as well as the airport’s own terminals.

All in all, a total of 28 elevators, moving walks, and escalators will eventually be updated and modernized at LAX.

The Schindler Group was no doubt chosen due to their extensive tract record.

Labeled as a leading global mobility provider, Schindler can be found in more than 140 countries; provides mobility in many of the world’s public transport networks and major airports; and has found success in their most recent contracts which include Germany’s recent Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport, as well as a new subway system for Mumbai, India.

An avid supporter of sustainable urban development, Schindler provides its clients with reliable, safe, and ecologically sound mobility solutions, this Switzerland based company designs, installs, manufactures, modernizes, and services escalator and elevator systems for practically every building type.

Because of the prompt initiation measures during the economically hard financial year of 2009, Schindler was able to increase their net profit relative to that of the previous year by 3% to CHF 653 million. In the escalator and elevator business, the operating profits rose by 7.5% to CHF 962 million, and EBIT margins increased from 10.2% to 11.6%. After a previous year’s loss of about CHF 11 million, ALSO was able to attain a profit of about CHF 15 million, and this was despite the special amortization charge of about CHF 11 million, in the year that was reporting.

In this economically harsh environment, consolidated operating revenue has fallen by 9.5% to CHF 12,691 million in the year that is reporting. In the local type of currencies, the decrease was one of 5.9%. Consolidated operating profit despite all has increased by 9.6% to CHF 974 million, because of the measures that were initiated promptly in both of the business segments to make up for the effects of the economic downturn. After the restructuring costs and a amortization charge that totaled altogether CHF 44 million after taxes, net profit still reached CHF 653 million.

The consolidation or the order backlog at CHF 6,341 million was caused by the escalator and elevator business, and this saw only a slight decline of 0.9%. The number of hired personnel in the Group fell by 3.6% down to 43,437 employees.

The number of orders received was CHF 8,418 million, a decline of 9.1% when compared with the previous year. The fourth quarter brought an order intake that rose up by 7% to the same quarter of the year before. The slight drop in the orders that were received mainly affected the installations business in Spain, the UK, the US, Australia and some Eastern Europe markets. The operating revenue fell by 5.5% to CHF 8,281 million. Because of the measures that we initiated quickly, the profit from operating rose by 7.5% which equaled CHF 962 million, and the operating margin overall improved from 10.2 % to 11.6 %.

Despite a loss of about CHF 11 million the year before and regardless of a amortization loss of CHF 11 million for their discontinuance of the old GNT name ALSO returned to profit as they earned CHF 15 million in the year that was reporting.

KONE, a global leader in the escalator and elevator industry, has acquired ASBA Mantenimientos S.L. ASBA Mantenimientos is a Spanish elevator company based. It is based in Barcelona, and is one of the largest local providers of elevator repair and maintenance. The company provides new elevator and related equipment sales and installation. They also work to help safely integrate elevator systems into existing buildings that were designed without elevator shafts.  ASBA Mantenimientos has a maintenance pool of over 1,800 elevators, and has 35 employees, including all maintenance technicians.

“This acquisition strengthens KONE’s position in Spain and helps us improve our maintenance and modernization operations in the Catalonia region,” stated Eric Maziol, Area Director and EVP of West and South Europe, as well as the Middle East for KONE.

KONE’s current operations in Spain will integrate ASBA’s maintenance base and sales force.

About KONE

KONE is one of the largest elevator and escalator companies in the world, and leads the industry. The company began in 1910, and will celebrate one hundred years of operation in 2010. KONE’s main goal is to optimize people flow and movement. They constantly work to develop and install new solutions for transporting people quickly, efficiently, and safely. Comfort also plays a large role in the design process. Elevator and escalator designs by the company help reduce waiting and lines, as well as opening access to handicapped or otherwise movement limited people that cannot climb stairs.

KONE has been providing the best elevators and escalators in the industry for a century, combined with innovation and creative solutions. They help modernize even the oldest buildings, and provide much needed maintenance or upgrades for older elevator systems. KONE understands the desires and requirements of its customers and works to adapt to new technologies and developments as quickly as possible. This is one of the reasons KONE can offer such high class service in the people movement industry.

KONE reported annual net sales at EUR 4.7 billion for 2009. They employ around 34,000 employees in all of their worldwide branches, and have plans to continue growing in the new decade. KONE will continue to strive to lead the industry in safety, innovation, and competitive elevator and escalator solutions. Class B shares for KONE are traded in Finland on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

Leicester General Hospital, located on the outskirts of Leicester and affectionately dubbed the ‘Palace on the Hill’ by locals, is where the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is located.

When the education department of the Trust had to replace its aging platform lift recently, they discovered that they could not easily find a local company that made lifts of the dimension that would be able to squeeze within the small area of available space. Every company that the Trust contacted to come out to the hospital to provide a quote simply didn’t have a suitable product.

Eventually, the education department identified and contacted Midlands based Invalifts Their product line includes the MC2000 self contained powered access platform lift that would meet the tight space requirements and prove to be easy-to-use and extremely reliable. The foot print of the lift is just 1250mm by 1250mm and was able to fit the small space available.

The MC2000 is a free-standing platform lift that can be ordered partially or fully glazed, making it fairly easy to integrate attractively into the existing building design. It operates via single phase 240v power using a twin chain, Scandanavian based design that doesn’t need an overhead machinery room or basement. Because the model consists of a freestanding shaft completely containing the lift apparatus, almost no retrofitting of the building is required. Its easy integration into the existing building fabric makes it a cost effective solution for architects and clients. The units are widely accepted by Local Authority Access Officers and it complies with UK and EC regulations for fire and safety.

Invalifts were able to complete the whole project for Leicester General Hospital in less than a week, including almost no disruption to the functioning of the Education department. The actual installation took only two days.

Invalifts is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of powered access equipment. It has installed hundreds units in both public and private facilities. Recently they introduced an ultra small, self-contained passenger lift which is designed to fit into tight spaces such as stairwells.

The company prides itself on delivering next working day service. Invalifts also offers a free access survey for the prospective client, covering powered access for the physically challenged, including the visually impaired.

Contact Invalifts Limited on 0845 468 2543 or visit their website at www.invalifts.com.

HINCKLEY – Leicestershire-based LTR Lifts and Escalators is pleased to announce the latest in an exciting series of business collaborations in Birmingham.

GB Building Solutions, recognized as one of the UK’s best new firms, recently awarded LTR a contract for work on a City Centre development. The mixed use property development on Bromsgrove Street will include eleven commercial units, nearly two-hundred apartment units, and underground parking.

Andy Burley, Commercial Manager at GB Solutions, explains why LTR is the partner of choice for the Bromsgrove Street job: “We used LTR to install the lifts because they had all the relevant process in place and seemed to anticipate what we needed as a client.”

In this case, LTR will be designing and installing three lifts. Two of the lifts are specialized firefighting lifts, meaning they can be used even in the event of a fire. In emergencies, they can be used under the direct control of the Fire Service. The lifts will run from the basement to the seventh storey, and will be located in the core of the building.

Before accepting the GB Solutions contract, LTR has been involved with several high-profile projects in well-known Burm landmarks. These include Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham Midshires Building Society, Westly Richards, and Beatties Department Store.

Alan Dunkley, managing director at LTR, explains the company’s growing presence in The City of a Thousand Trades: “We are really proud to have been involved in these prestigious Birmingham projects and are keen to win more business in the city. We believe we have a great deal to offer developers here.”

“Birmingham has changed beyond recognition over the last 20 years and the regeneration shows no signs of slowing down over the next decade. We can see enormous opportunities for LTR and we’re very much looking forward to playing a part in the next chapter in the city’s story.”

With £16.7bn worth of city projects proposed or already under construction over the next decade, it is easy to understand why the relationship between LTR and Birmingham will continue to flourish.

For more information, contact LTR Lifts and Escalators on 01455 633760.

The Kingkey Finance Center, located in Shenzhen City, in the Guangdong Province of China is to be a 98-floor super high-rise. The building will house office, commercial establishments, and a luxury hotel. Completion is expected in 2012. The contract for the 129 elevators required for the main and neighboring buildings is being fulfilled by Mitsubishi, a leader in elevator technology.

The products ordered are valued at over $25 million (188 million RMB) and include the following:

6 double-deck elevators with a high carrying capacity of approximately 42 people (7000 pounds)
1 super-high-speed elevator with a maximum speed of 1770 feet/ minute
54 high-speed elevators with a maximum speed of 390 feet/ minute
8 low-speed elevators with a maximum speed of 345 feet/ minute
60 standard elevators to be installed in nearby buildings.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation facilities at Inazawa and Shanghai will be the manufacturer of the elevators. A high level of services and cutting edge technology was offered by the Inazawa works, the Mitsubishi Elevator Company and Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Elevator Company, which contributed to the awarding of the contract.

The first Mitsubishi elevator was sold in China in 1950, and that country has remained a strong market for the Japanese manufacturer. Despite the difficulties of the global market, the need for elevators and escalators has remained strong, particularly in China. Over 200,000 units were purchased in China in 2009, which represents about 30% of the world share.

Mitsubishi Electric is a global leader in elevator technology. Since entering the field in the 1930s, Mitsubishi has always stood for high standards of precision. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 the company’s group sales are reported as exceeding $35 billion. Their newest smart elevator technology can decide whether to respond to an elevator call button with the most prompt (at peak use times), or with the most energy efficient (at slower use times) elevator cage. This feature will be ready for the market as early as spring 2010.

Mitsubishi continually strives to provide safe, comfortable and efficient products, including elevators.

From May to October 2010 the Shanghai World Expo will showcase exhibits on the theme of “Better City, Better Life.” With 55% of the world’s population living in urban settings, the focus will be on improving the quality of life for people with “dignity, good health, safety, happiness and hope.” (As manifested by the United Nations Habitat II document). Schindler is the company responsible for displaying those themes while moving the crowds of visitors in China’s National Pavilion, and on Expo Boulevard. This will be accomplished through the use of 94 escalator lifts and powered walkways.

The main exhibition space of the Chinese pavilion is a raised 484,000 square foot base, topped by a traditional Chinese roof of interlocking beams. The pavilion is accessed by ten Schindler escalators to lift people to the podium, and traversed by two moving walkways. Two of the escalators are 60 feet long.

Expo Boulevard is a kilometer long travelway on three levels which connects the Expo pavilion area with the Shanghai subway and abuts the Huangpu River. The boulevard will be the primary means by which people move around the site. Environmentally sound technology will be showcased along its length, including six large funnels which refract sunlight to the two underground levels, and collect rainwater. The boulevard is being equipped with 80 Schindler escalators to facilitate the movement of the anticipated 70 million visitors to the Shanghai International Exposition.

Other global events which have benefitted from Schindler’s expertise in moving people are: the Beijing Olympics (2008), the World Expo Zaragoza, Spain (2008), the Athens Olympics (2004) and the Sydney Olympics (2000).

The Schindler Group is headquartered in Switzerland, and was the first (1980) industrial western nation to join China in a joint business venture. Schindler China now has four factories, three training facilities and a research and development center. The Schindler Group provides mobility products in over 140 countries, and is the leading supplier of escalators, worldwide. They are the second largest manufacturer of elevators. Schindler is known for ecologically sound, safe and reliable products. More than 900 million people ride a Schindler mobility product every day.

Liftex 2010, the annual convention for Britain’s lift and escalator industry, returns to the ExCeL Convention Centre in south London on 12-13 May, 2010. Sponsored by the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), Liftex has been a smashing success in years past, and looks poised to surpass itself this year.

Despite the worldwide economic downturn, the passenger lift and escalator industry has been doing steady business over the last year, and this healthy outlook for the field is reflected in the wide variety of companies that have already signed up to do exhibits at Liftex. This includes manufacturers of hydraulics and electronics, wire ropes, computerized elevator controls, elevator guide rails, motors, and many other lift and escalator components, both British and foreign. Hydraulic lift contractors and installers, architecture groups, health and safety organisations, and elevator and escalator trade publications will also be sending representatives to provide their own views on the opportunities and challenges facing the lift and escalator industry in the year to come. The convention organisers are also inviting trade groups in other countries to come and set up international pavilions to further facilitate the exchange of ideas and opportunities across national borders.

The ultramodern ExCeL Convention Centre will be equipped with the latest in technology for the convenience of attendees and to help facilitate interaction. This includes free wifi in the building, giant plasma screens for presentations and promotions, and an open “interaction area” where attendees can mingle and talk.

Liftex will also be providing entertainment for convention attendees. The organisers have rented the glass-walled “Symphony” boat for a nighttime cruise on the Thames, with fine dining, drink, and music while you enjoy the unique view of London from the river.

If you are interested in the UK passenger lift and escalator market, Liftex is a great opportunity to network, find sales opportunities, and learn about solutions to your lift and escalator needs. Mark your calendar now and make sure to attend!

ThyssenKrupp has secured the contract to supply The Hanoi Landmark Tower in Vietnam with 41 high-speed elevators with a further 23 installations to follow. The high speed elevators will be equipped with regenerative drives and a destination selection control system to take passengers to any of the 70 floors at speeds of seven meters per second.  As well as being used for offices the building will also contain a 5-star hotel with 383 rooms and suites, bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

The regenerative drives allow the elevators to convert energy produced when the cab brakes into electricity which is then feed back to the power supply.  The system is extremely friendly to the environment and lowers energy use by approximately 30% when compared with standard elevator designs.

The elevators will also include ThyssenKrupp Elevator’s intelligent destination selection control system, the first time this feature has been used in Vietnam.  Passengers will input the floor they wish to be taken to on an LCD screen outside the elevator and the system tells them which is the most appropriate elevator to take.  ThyssenKrupp say the system will lower waiting times for passengers allowing them to get to their destination quicker.

The Elevator Company Otis has secured two contracts to provide more than a thousand elevators for housing estates in Singapore. The contracts were awarded as part of a Lift Upgrading Program by the Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB). 

The work will require Otis to supply and install 1,300 elevators in public housing estates to replace existing elevators and improve accessibility.

Otis is the world biggest supplier of products such as elevators, escalators and moving walkways offering products and services in over 200 countries.  Their HQ is based in the US at Farmington, Connecticut and employs 61,000 people.