LATEST NEWS

Schindler recently announced that it had acquired 100% of the shares of Saudi Elevator Corp. Ltd. The agreement was, however, still subject to the approval of the Saudi Arabian authorities. Schindler remarked of the deal, “The acquisition strengthens the position of the Schindler Group in the Gulf region’s largest market.”

On February 1, the offices of the European Federation of Elevator Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EFESME) moved to Rue Joseph II 36-38, B-1000, Brussels. The new offices are in the middle of the European district and are hosted by the Confartigianato organization. The contact information for the new EFESME offices is phone: (32) 2-2307414 or (32) 2-2307440, fax: (32) 2-2307219, e-mail: efesme@efesme.org and website: www.efesme.org.

NAESA International will hold its first webinar on April 10. The cost of the event is US$50 for NAESA members and US$75 for nonmembers. Focusing on ASME 18.1-2008, Safety Code for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts, the webinar has been approved by NAESA for .4 continuing-education units for certified inspectors and by the State of Washington Labor and Industries for four hours of continuing education for licensed mechanics in that state. For more information, contact Felicity Wilkinson at NAESA at phone: (360) 292-4968 or e-mail: felicity@naesai.org, or NAESA at website: www.naesai.org.

The Associated Press reported in February that New York City’s main Post Office building will be transformed into a rail gateway. Phase I of the project will include infrastructure improvements like new elevators and escalators to provide better access to the train platforms. The project will be funded by the federal government through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and construction will begin sometime this year. Phase I should be complete in 2015. Phase II will include moving the train station from the site it shares with Madison Square Garden to the Post Office building across the street. Phase II will be funded separately.