Traveling Opens The Mind

Traveling Opens The Mind
Prague astronomical clock | image adobe stock

Several weeks ago, I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, for Elevcon 2023. It was a long and difficult trip, and I arrived with lost luggage and a back cramp. It was the first time I’d traveled internationally in three years, and I was pretty sure it would be the last. However, after a nap and a wonderful dinner, I ran into “elevator people.” I remember my father saying, “It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you will never be alone because there are always elevator friends there.” Those gathered were mostly European, and I found that the concerns at home were the same everywhere: inflation, immigration, climate and government. But talking about elevators and the future was very soothing. These elevator friends were earnest about taking the world in new directions. It was also a great opportunity to reconnect with many who write for us – Marja-Liisa Siikonen, Dr. Albert So and Hongliang Liang.

The summer travel season was on in Europe as we report on many large and small gatherings of the “elevator world,” many meeting for the first time in two or three years.

  • Prague, At Last! by your editor. Elevcon was delayed by three years but turned out very successful with 29 speakers and a three-day program that covered many new situations and opportunities in our industry.
  • Great Fermator Gathering by Bülent Yılmaz. A brutal snowstorm collapsed the roof of the Fermator factory in Falset, Spain. Nine months later, it was rebuilt, and a celebration of customers and partners ensued.
  • Second Swiss Elevator Day by Undine Stricker-Berghoff. The Swiss Association of Technical Inspection met near Zurich, Switzerland, to hear reports on their industry numbers, the new Machinery Regulations and other subjects.
  • Russian Elevator Week by Bülent Yılmaz. The elevator industry in Russia has been impacted greatly by sanctions, however they mounted 91 booths and welcomed visitors from China, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
  • A Multi-Generational Milestone by Kathleen Farrell. Lochbühler Aufzüge in Germany celebrated 150 years of manufacturing. They also celebrated the fourth and fifth generations working together with the expectation of the sixth joining soon.
  • Expo Elevador Brazil 2023 by Carmen Maldacena. Not in Europe but supported by many, the Latin American event hosted 80 booths and good crowds.

There is lots of news and plenty of installations on the Europe front. Built to Dazzle in Oslo by Kaija Wilkinson is about the Clarion Hotel The Hub, one of the largest hotels in Norway. Built in 1952, its elevators were modernized by Schindler. Valencia Subway by Helena Calado describes a challenging job by TK Elevator that succeeded in replacing two escalators in two weeks while the station stayed open. The Niguliste Museum, housed in a church in Estonia, preserves medieval ecclesiastical art. Doppler provided a panorama elevator to complement the church and art. Rising High by Ioannis Sanidiotis highlights KLEEMANN’s growth from 10 to 1,750 employees and factories in Greece, Serbia, Germany and China. Accessibility on the Fast Track – TK Elevators installs new elevators in the Autodrome in Italy with a Ferrari Red interior.

The 11th Annual Photo Contest is celebrated in this issue. It’s one of my favorite articles with amateur photographers finding the beauty in our industry’s equipment. This year, we had a bonanza, with more photos than ever before and so many cover possibilities! 

We hope you enjoy our offerings this quarter. If so, let me know at ricia@elevatorworld.com

Elevator World Editor and Publisher

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A Multi-Generational Milestone

A Multi-Generational Milestone

The Extra Mile

The Extra Mile

Prague, At Last!

Prague, At Last!

The Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect

València Subway

València Subway

Second Swiss Elevator Day

Second Swiss Elevator Day

ExpoElevador Brazil 2023

ExpoElevador Brazil 2023

The Niguliste Museum

The Niguliste Museum