American Elevator Group

From Mark Boelhouwer, whom you may have heard of from the elevator industry big splash of Vantage[GAL/Hollister Whitney/Elevator Controls/ETC] comes American Elevator Group.  Mark has a long history of M & A including working for Otis, Oracle, Vantage and now AEG.  Their current lineup includes

 

            Unitec

            Eltec

            D & D Elevator

            Standard Elevator[New Jersey]

            Kencor

            Jersey Elevator

            American Elevator & Machine Corp

            Pride and Service

            Eastern Elevator

            DC Elevator

            Dunwell Elevator

            Dura Lift

            Rite Way

 

In the last 10-20 years we have seen a tremendous amount of industry consolidation through holding companies/VC money.  This is another move for consolidation in our industry in the non union arena.  There are also some firms in the Northeast trying to duplicate this in the union market. 

I had the opportunity to get to know a lot of the key people at these companies during my time on the Board of Directors of the NAEC.  Being from Chicago where 98% of our companies are Union, it was eye opening to learn about some of the large non union firms that are across the country. What's next with this group? 

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If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Elevator disconnect auxiliary contacts – Elevator controller emergency battery lowering - Rescuevator

When a building chooses the option for emergency battery lowering on their elevator controller the electrician has one additional item to do, installation of an auxiliary contact on the disconnect.  We have also run into the requirement of an auxiliary contact on the disconnect for emergency brake release.

What is the purpose of the auxiliary contact?  The purpose of the auxiliary contact is so the elevator controller can tell the difference between a power down at the disconnect versus a power outage.

[Elevator controller with battery lowering]

[Elevator mainline & lighting disconnects]

[Elevator mainline disconnect with auxiliary contact]

[Elevator mainline disconnect with auxiliary contact close up]

 

If the electrician you are using is not familiar with this function, have them call their electrical supply house and ask them.  Depending on the make and model of the disconnect the supply house can sell them what they require and it is a simple modification to the disconnect.

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If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

 Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Hydraulic elevator control modernization – Arlington Heights, IL

15 years ago we modernized 3 buildings in a 5 building complex with new controllers, door operators, power units and cylinders.  We went to the 4^th building and quickly got shoo’d away because they had a great OEM service provider. We always wondered how the other 2 buildings where doing in the complex.  Well… We finally got the call about 6 months ago to come look at one of other building’s equipment.

[Elevator machine room - Before]

[Elevator machine room - After]

Existing elevator & project scope – The existing elevator was a Dover installed in 1964, this building definitely got their money’s worth from the system.  The building had started to have issues with the overall reliability and functionability of the elevator system and was ready for a change.

New equipment providers

Controller – Smartrise Engineering

Power units – Existing MEI w/Maxton UC4 valve

Door operator – GAL MOVFR

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

Hydraulic elevator controller – The 1964 Dover elevator controller was in fair condition for being 57 years old but had some serious critical issues occurring from time to time.

[Dover Elevator controller - Before]

[Smartrise Elevator Controller - After]

Door operators – The elevator had a GAL MOVFR I with all the old GAL car and hatch equipment on it prior to the modernization and replaced with a GAL MOVFR II.

[GAL Door operator - Before]

 

[GAL Door operator - After]

[Car top & GAL Door operator - Before]

[Car top & GAL Door operator - After]

Elevator fixtures – This pit got lip stick, the hall stations where replaced with ADA compliant hall stations 10+ years ago.  The car station was replaced with a Adams car station at the same height as the old Dover car station.  We installed some great looking Innovation Industry push buttons with all the code required bells and whistles.

 

[Adams car operating panel - Before]

[Innovation car operating panel - After]

[Adams hall station - Before]

[Innovation hall station - After]

Disconnects – There is WBO[Work by others] that is required when we replace an elevator controller.  This is typically electrician work but should be guided by the elevator contractor.  In this event we flagged some aluminum wire and no ground.  The electrician replaced the aluminum wire and gave us a great earth ground!  ALUMINUM WIRE = BAD! REPLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  Aluminum wire can cause reliability issues and cause your components to burn out, unless it is properly maintained, which in most cases no one maintains their aluminum wire properly.

[Elevator disconnect w/alluminum wire - Before]

[Elevator disconnect w/copper & auxilary contact - After]

Take away – This is a hydraulic elevator control modernization that was long overdue, the building was having serious headaches with the equipment reliability.  The building had done some work over time but the major components where original. The condominium board was having a lot of feedback from the other unit owners, it was time. We had a great project team in for the modernization who did a great job on this piece of history.

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Top right corner of the blog. 

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107. 

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Elevator World Chicago Issue – Not just for Code Compliance - Elevator solid state starters

 

Chicago is featured in Elevator World’s March 2021 issue.  When you think of Chicago you think of Al Capone, Michael Jordan, Chicago style dogs, Deep Dish Pizza, Home of the Pizza Puff and one of the longest running independent elevator contractors in the country, Colley elevator.  We have a lot of domain knowledge in the hydraulic market and had the opportunity to write an article on benefits of solid state motor starters.  Two of our IUEC Local #2 aces contributed to this great article with much help from our own Cathy Hayat. 

Other cool Chicago related articles featuring James R. Thompson Center, Chicago VT review featuring some word bites from Colley’s Craig Zomchek, Chicago Elevator Firsts, Chicago Strong[MATOT], Chicago’s RBN, Chicago’s Mark Menke & Lisa Castor[Dupar] and many other great articles.  Take a peak!  www.elevatorworld.com

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Top right corner of the blog.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Colley Cares – Colley Elevator gives back

Colley Elevator has had a history of making donations to our customer’s causes, foundations, fundraisers, etc. During the last year Colley Elevator has done several additional philanthropic initiatives to give back to our communities amid the Covid 19 pandemic.  During one of our sales meetings we came up with a new way to give back; we will be making an additional donation when we book each one of our projects to one of five different organizations.    

Pillars – https://pillarscommunityhealth.org/ - A healthcare organization that is committed to meeting the changing health and social needs of the western suburban residents.


One Tail at a Time - https://www.onetail.org/ - OTAT’s mission is to end pet homelessness in the Chicago area.


NEDSRA - https://www.nedsra.org/en/ - Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) improves the quality of life for thousands of people with disabilities each year, by providing them with a variety of recreational and social programs. The programs are offered in partnership with eight park districts and three village recreation departments.


Greater Chicago Food Pantry - https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/ - The Food Depository is part of a united community effort working to bring food, dignity and hope to our Cook County neighbors.


American Cancer Society – https://www.cancer.org - Is on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.

During the last year we did a lot of soul searching on how we can be a more helpful company to our communities and humanity as a whole.  We are excited about our new initiative!  We will also continue supporting the causes we have for years, we will just be adding a few more to our list.

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Top right corner of the blog.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Elevator pit and hoistway access is limited to authorized individuals

Per the State of Illinois please find the document that requires a State of Illinois licensed elevator personnel when accessing the pit or hoistway. In the last month we have had more than a few conversations in which this State of Illinois requirement has become contentious.  The reason this rule is in place is because non-trained people die in elevator pits trying to fix smoke detectors, repair sump pumps, complete electrical work, get keys or cell phones, etc. We had another accident where someone was trying to get into the elevator hoistway who wasn't supposed to be there.   This is a friendly reminder/introduction to people who think rules don't apply, do not want to acknowledge the rules so they don't have to pay or do not currently know the rules. 

3/5/21 – New York City - “A building worker trying to retrieve a tenant’s cell phone was crushed to death in a horrific elevator accident in Brooklyn Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The elevator was in the basement at the time, but was then called to another floor, at which point the worker was “caught in the moving hoist ropes and elevator sheave.” The sheave is the circular device around which the ropes move."

While it is expensive to hire elevator personnel for hoistway work or to retrieve keys or phones, it does save lives.   We will make sure the plumber, electrician, fire alarm contractor is safe while they do their work and can retrieve your lost items.  No elevator company or elevator technician wants to watch a plumber for 4 days installing a sump pump, but, if everyone goes home at night, it is worth the expense. 

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Top right corner of the blog.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Support for the Family of Joseph Rosa – Elevator Accident/death NYC

On February 18^th, 2021 Joseph Rosa was crushed to death in elevator fell on him.  At 25, with a brand new bride he was beginning to learn, Joseph Rosa’s future seemed bright. Unfortunately he did not make it home on February 18^th 2021 due to an elevator accident.

 

You can support this young man’s family through a gofundme page

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-family-of-joseph-rosa

For everyone in the elevator industry, it is a reality that we work on dangerous equipment daily. Our accidents are typically serious and sometimes fatal.  Please be careful working out there.  We can have all of the safety programs and talk about safety but we all need to be conscience of what we are doing and raise our hand when we are doing something that may be unsafe.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

 Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.