LONGEST ESCALATOR IN CANADA AT OTTAWA LRT STATION
LONGEST ESCALATOR IN CANADA AT OTTAWA LRT STATION
Rideau Station, part of the new Ottawa Light Rail Transit (LRT) Confederation Line under construction, will have the longest transit escalator in Canada, the Ottawa Citizen reports. Located 26.5 m underground, the continuous unit will be approximately 35.5 m long, with a 15.8-m rise and 181 steps, carrying riders between the concourse and surface levels at Rideau Street and Sussex Drive. Responding to concern from Mayor Jim Watson that the escalator will be protected from harsh winter weather, Ottawa General Manager of Transportation John Manconi said it is covered, but keeping grit and sand out of the stairs will be an ongoing concern. If the infrastructure clears required tests, LRT service is set to start late this year. Otis Canada was awarded the contract for the work.
ALIMAK HOISTS AT LONDON RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISE PROJECT
Six Alimak Hek construction hoists are at work on two of the three South Quay Plaza buildings, a 200-m-tall residential development just south of Canary Wharf in London on the Isle of Dogs. Designed by Foster + Partners, South Quay Plaza is being developed by The Berkeley Group, and KONE is providing the vertical-transportation package. The hoists include a 100 mpm, 2X5-m Scando 650 SL FC-S and two TM Mammoth models, each with a capacity of 5500 kg. The contract includes design, installation, service and maintenance of the hoists through 2020. This is the fifth project in the London Docklands area to use Alimak Hek equipment.
TURKISH ELEVATOR INDUSTRY WOMEN UNITE, APPOINT PRESIDENT
Twenty-eight women involved in the elevator/escalator industry in Turkey united under the AYKSAD roof on February 14, and appointed Yasemin Bulut president. The group held its first general assembly on March 31, stating its purpose is to elevate women’s status in the business community and contribute to their professional growth through “education, organization and strategic support for the occupational, technical, moral and professional improvement of the sector, and to represent the Turkish elevator industry on international platforms.”
SHANGHAI HYUNDAI ELEVATOR CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN CHINA
Shanghai Hyundai Elevator is marking its 25th year in the Chinese market, noting that, with a new plant set to open in 2019, its commitment to the market is getting stronger. Shanghai Hyundai was launched with a Chinese partner in 1993, with Hyundai acquiring 100% equity in 2014. In addition to its Shanghai facilities, Hyundai has 26 branches across China, contracted more than 2,700 units in 2017 and has 0.5% of the Chinese new-installation market. The company observes. “Over 900 employees. . . work at Shanghai Hyundai. Under its goal of securing contracts for 5,000 units for the Chinese market and 5,200 for the overseas market, the firm plans to extend its sales network and develop products leveraging its R&D capacity in China.”
CEA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER REGISTRATION OPEN
The Chicago Elevator Association (CEA) is holding its 4th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser on May 17 instead of a meeting this week. Registration is open for the event, which will include a buffet and cocktail reception in a room with full betting lines and a full-service bar at the Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Illinois. Ticket costs are US$65 per person, and sponsorships are available in three tiers. For more information on sponsorships, email Tom Sybert. All proceeds will go to the CEA Scholarship Fund. The CEA is also planning to host its Chicago cruise to benefit the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation on June 27.
