EWEU News is ELEVATOR WORLD Europe’s free monthly newsletter focusing on vertical-transportation news in Europe. Contact the EW Editorial Department to submit news or the EW Advertising Department to advertise and reach more than 4,000 subscribers across Europe.
November 2020
ELEVATOR INDUSTRY SECOND COVID-19 SURVEY RESULTS ANALYSIS
Elevator World, Inc., the German elevator association VFA Interlift e.V. and fair organizer AFAG, in association with Credit Suisse, recently shared results of its second survey of elevator industry representatives on current industry status and anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on business. The survey received 572 responses, more than the first iteration that received 550 responses. Credit Suisse Managing Director and Head of European Capital Good Equity Research Andre Kukhnin assisted with preparation of a chart analysis, including breakdowns by country, of the results (excluding China, as, in July [ELENET 849], only a few of the responses were from that country, and an even comparison of previous and current results was needed). The most recent survey included a new question about the competitive environment that pointed to toughening competition globally across manufacturers, service providers and components suppliers. Additional observations include: 
  • Respondents in Germany and North America were most positive, while those in Asia (excluding China), South America and the Middle East were most cautious.
  • Industry associations and consultants remain most cautious, while all divisions of the industry (component suppliers, manufacturers and service providers) have become positive.
  • Overall, the industry has become slightly less cautious, with 29% still expecting unfavorable development over the next six months (the same as in July), but with 24% now expecting favorable development (versus 19% previously).
  • Germany and North America both had improved outlooks compared to in July. Europe (excluding Germany) remained broadly unchanged in terms of negativity, while South America improved.
  • Outlook in Asia (excluding China) worsened slightly.
  • Consistent with July, uncertainty about economic policy remains a perceived limiting factor for business performance.
  • The level of concern about demand, financial constraints and materials/equipment shortages lessened slightly.
  • Employment outlook shifted from slightly negative in July to slightly positive.
 
Globally, business activity is expected to be 5% below pre-pandemic levels, with Germany most positive and nearly fully recovered and South America and Asia (excluding China) most negative, with business nearly 10% below pre-pandemic levels.
EUROPEAN LIFT SME CONGRESS ANNOUNCED
European lift small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are invited to the European Lift SME Congress, taking place virtually on November 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CET. The event will feature simultaneous interpreting and talk about the present and future of SMEs in the European framework, while finding nodes of collaboration to boost the sector, organizers said. Topics all relate to the role of lift SMEs within the European Union framework: innovation and development, the international role and its importance in the local economy, and analyses of threats and opportunities. Availability is limited; those wishing to attend should register. Those wishing to sponsor should email organizer European Lift SME Congress.
EW EUROPE FOCUSES ON ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS
The January-February 2021 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD Europe will focus on escalators and moving walks. Submissions will be accepted through December 30. Bonus distribution of the issue is planned for Lift Expo Italia in Milan, Italy, and Asansör Istanbul in Turkey. Contact Bülent Yılmaz for editorial submissions and editorial and advertising inquiries within Europe. Those outside of Europe may contact Angela C. Baldwin for editorial and T. Bruce MacKinnon for advertising.
CIBSE LIFTS GROUP ANNUAL SEMINAR ANNOUNCED
The 2020 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Lifts Group Annual Seminar will be held online at 1:30-3:30 p.m. GMT on November 23. The event, chaired by Adam Scott, will comprise a short video describing the highlights of CIBSE Guide D: Transportation systems in buildings (2020). Four of its principal authors will be featured with short presentations of their contributions, followed by a question-and-answer session.
TRIO OF KONE ELEVATORS FOR NEW PASSENGER FERRY
A trio of KONE MonoSpace® elevators — two passenger and one service units — will be provided for Aurora Botnia, an 800-passenger ferry under construction at Rauna Marine Constructions shipyard in Finland, The Maritime Executive reports. Running on liquified natural gas and biogas, the vessel is "the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry currently under construction," the source said. Carrying passengers between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden, the Wasaline vessel is scheduled for completion in 2021. Features of the KONE machine-room-less elevator system include weather-resistant construction and EcoDisc® gearless traction technology that lowe rs energy consumption.
SBS LIFT SEMINARS SET FOR NOVEMBER
The European Federation for Elevator Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EFESME) and Small Business Standards (SBS) have organized two SBS Lift Seminars, taking place virtually in November. Under an overarching topic of “Dialogues on CEN/TC 10: The Current Revision of Lift Standards and Its Impact on SMEs,” the first is “The Standardizers’ Approach” on November 3, and the second is “European Commission and SMEs’ Expectations” on November 10. Each will include opening speeches by EFESME and SBS representatives and, after the featured speakers, question-and-answer sessions. The events are organized by EFESME and SBS.
ELEVATORS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY IN HILLY BILBAO
A pair of 13-person-capacity elevators will be installed as part of infrastructure upgrades to improve pedestrian access in the hilly Uribarri District of Bilbao, Spain, The Mayor reports. The Bilbao City Council announced the upgrades — including reconfiguring streets to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians and installing five ramps — on October 22, observing that work will take approximately nine months. With a 5-m rise, the first elevator will be built to connect Gorliz and Plentzia streets, the latter of which has a 21% inclination at some points. The second, 6-m-rise elevator will connect Plentzia and Via Vieja de Lezama streets and be outfitted with an 8-m-long walkway that provides access to it.
LONDON UNDERGROUND ESCALATORS GETTING UV TREATMENT
Handrails on about 25% of the London Underground's escalators are being fitted with ultraviolet (UV) light devices to kill microbes, such as the coronavirus, Ian Visits reported on October 26. Aseptic Ltd.'s ClearWin, a self-powered sterilizer that uses the UV-C light wavelength to kill microbes, was tested at the Heathrow T123 Tube station and, as a result, Transport for London (TfL) decided to move forward with installing them at other stations. Plans call for the device to be fitted on 110 escalators at some of the system's busiest stations. TfL, which has been testing its escalators for the presence of the coronavirus, said it hopes the devices will encourage people to hold the handrails.
KONE NAMES FORMER HSBC EXECUTIVE CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
KONE has appointed Tricia Weener chief marketing officer and executive vice president (EVP), marketing and communications, the company announced on October 16. Weener comes to KONE after 11 years with HSBC, where she most recently served as group head of business-to-business marketing. Other roles with the multinational bank included leadership roles in brand, marketing and communications, mostly in Asia. Prior to HSBC, she operated her own marketing agency serving a wide range of global companies across many sectors. At KONE, she will serve on the executive board and report to CEO and President Henrik Ehrnrooth and be based at corporate headquarters in Espoo, Finland. She succeeds former EVP Max Alfthan, who stepped down in March to concentrate on non-executive and advisory duties. Interim EVP of Marketing and Communications Susanne Skippari will, effective January 18, 2021, focus on her role as EVP of human resources.
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ENVISIONS NEW TOWER IN BASEL
Pharmaceutical company Roche Holding AG is working with architects Herzog & de Meuron to replace a cluster of vacant buildings on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland, with a new development that could include a high-rise office building up to 221 m tall, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reports. With a stepped profile, the new tower would mirror two existing Roche buildings. Including ample green space and a low-rise building, the new development intends to be "modern, sustainable and earthquake-resistant." A riverfront promenade would also be redesigned. The development promises to help address a need for "new, modern and highly attractive workplaces in the heart of the city once the coronavirus pandemic is over," Herzog & de Meuron Site Head Jürg Erismann said.
PLAN TO TRANSFORM GLASGOW SITE WITH RENTAL TOWER
Developer Watkins Jones Group has submitted an application to city councilors in Glasgow, Scotland, to transform a brownfield site on India Street in the city center with an up-to-30-story residential rental tower, The Scotsman reports. To take shape on the site of a mid-rise office building, which would be demolished, the property would offer 800 units, with stores, a café and coworking space at ground level. Watkins Jones Group is no stranger to the build-to-rent concept, having undertaken numerous such schemes in the U.K. If the Glasgow tower is built, it will be the tallest structure in the city center. The developer aims to complete the project in 2024.
IGV NAMES ITALY SALES MANAGER
Mario Barlassina, an industry veteran with more than 25 years' experience, is new area sales manager for Italy for IGV Group SpA, headquartered in Milan. Barlassina previously worked for Otis in both the technical and sales departments and for thyssenkrupp Elevator in the sales department. He also worked for Wittur SpA and the Italian branch of SHAEFER GmbH as Italy sales manager. For IGV, he will focus on the Italy market and promoting new products, such as the lift-sanitation solutions CARe and ON AIR, a line of cars designed by Studio Marco Piva that incorporates antibacterial finishes. Barlassina assumed his new role in September.
TfL RENDERINGS SHOW UNDERGROUND STATION
Transport for London (TfL) has published renderings showing the entrance and ticket hall for the Elephant & Castle Underground Station, a project set for completion in the late 2020s, LondonSE1 reported on October 9. Based on the images, passengers will be able to reach their trains by either escalator or elevator. The Tube station is being planned in conjunction with the extension of the Bakerloo line. The source reports that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed TfL's final approval of the plan, but in a move to keep the project on track, local officials have approved demolition of the Elephant & Castle shopping center, set to begin in October. However, construction work cannot start until TfL enters a binding agreement to complete the station, which is not expected until March 2021. TfL has set completion for 2029, but project developer Delancey is pressing for the station to be ready by fall 2028.
TOUCHLESS CONTROL SOLUTIONS
thyssenkrupp Elevator has launched several touchless control solutions for elevators. Touchless Call and Elevator Pass are based on QR code technology to enable users to control and operate the elevator via smartphones or wearables. With online and offline usage features, they are applicable across a wide variety of segments, including offices, hotels, hospitals and residential buildings. Both are available for elevators from thyssenkrupp Elevator and other manufacturers. Touchless Call uses QR codes placed at each landing and inside the cabin. Passengers can use these to operate the elevator via a virtual control panel on their smartphone without having to touch buttons.

Elevator Pass operates like an airplane boarding card. QR codes can be generated anytime via an app, or received via email, text message or in paper form. The user then scans this code at a reader installed at the landing, and the elevator calls are generated automatically for the origin and destination floors. The solution was designed to be installed easily and does not require the use of an additional app. If the QR codes of elevators within a facility need to be changed, new ones can be easily created and instantly override the previous codes. No internet connection or smartphone is required.
There are more than 50 elevators across Europe connected with Touchless Call, the company said. It and Elevator Pass can eliminate the need for cabin calls, which helps facilitate social distancing in the cabin.
COMPACT HOME ELEVATOR
Savaria has released the Vuelift Mini, a compact option to its line of Vuelift home elevators. Composed of a cylindrical glass hoistway and 50-in. footprint, it is designed for floorplan flexibility and easy contractor installation. The company says it can be installed inside a spiral staircase, attached to a balcony or mezzanine, or inserted through floors. It is available in either clear acrylic or UV-resistant glass with a matching cab and landing doors. The frame is available in black, white, silver or custom colors. It can be configured for up to six stops and 50 ft of travel with a 500-lb capacity. It includes a battery backup for lowering in the case of a power outage.
Vuelift Mini's clear glass silhouette is designed not to conflict with existing interior design styles, color, light or texture.
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