The Chamber of Elevators and Related Affairs (CAA: Cámara de Ascensores y Afines) represented Argentina at the International Elevator and Escalator Symposium in Edinburgh. Here you can read the report on IEES 2023 by Alea Guillemi (strategy director, Guillemi Group) as published in Subir y Bajar, the top elevator magazine of the CAA.
Latin America participated in the latest edition of the IEES Symposium, convened in Edinburgh, where Argentina was represented for the second time by the Chamber of Elevators with a presentation by Guillemi Tec, while Brazil was present - for the first time - with a Senior Elevator Consultant presentation by Afonso Gappo. The IEES (International Elevator and Escalator Symposium) is organized by Liftinstituut and Elevator World, two independent companies with extensive experience in the elevator industry.
The fourth annual IEES event took place in Scotland's capital on December 5-6. Elevator and escalator industry professionals, architects, developers and business owners were invited to participate in the program, which focused on the concepts of
digitalization and sustainability.
For two days, sixteen international experts gave presentations at the prestigious hotel "The Balmoral Hotel". The goal is always to provide the sector with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and establish contacts with colleagues and potential clients or suppliers. Topics covered included the revolution of artificial intelligence in the elevator market, the application of digital tools to promote sustainability and the reinvention of IoT applications in the elevator industry, among others.
Program
- “The AI revolution in the elevator market is not what I had in mind,” by Yuval Valiano-Rips, Elavators Group, Israel.
- “The social elevator project: economic elevators for deprived neighborhoods”, by Alea Guillemi, Strategy Director Guillemi Tec, Argentina.
- “Use of digital tools to increase sustainability”, by Robert Kaspersma, Senior Manager Certification, and Claudio Donghi, Codes and Standards Manager Environment, KONE Corp., Finland.
- “Rethinking IoT Applications in the Elevator Industry,” by Rob Wurth, Founder & CEO Lift AI, United States.
- "JK Square Building - Flexible zones for elevators: a new brand in vertical transportation”, by Afonso Gappo, Senior Elevator Consultant, Brazil.
- “Sustainability in the Elevator Industry: Impact Review”, by Tak Mathews, TAK Consulting Pvt. Ltd., India.
- “Balancing act: the conflicts between cybersecurity and functional safety”, by Tijmen Molema, Functional Safety Certification Expert, Liftinstituut, Netherlands.
- “Connected elevators: digital evolution”, by Hylio Gil and Pedro Fernández, MACPUAR S.A. (MP Lifts), Spain.
- “Performance comparisons of acoustic insulation element for guide rail connections using pin anchor channels” by Mazen Ayoubi, Head of Research and Innovation, and Sacha Sobotta, Research Engineer, PohlCon GmbH, Germany.
- “The transition to the circular economy in the elevator sector from the point of view of elevator SMEs”, by Iván Ferrarini and Polo Tattoli, EFESME aisbl, Belgium.
- “The Gen360 platform, the next generation of digital and sustainable elevators”, by Pascal Rebillard, Technical Fellow, Elevator Systems, Otis SCS France; Alper Caliskan, Code and Sustainability Manger, Otis SCS Franc and EMEA, and Vijay Lakamraju, Product Cybersecurity Officer, Otis Elevator Co., United States.
- “Benefits of intelligent elevator monitoring for operators of large elevator portfolios”, by Philip Molineus, Managing Director, Henning GmbH & Co KG, Germany, and David Mansfeld, Managing Director, Henning Czech s.r.o, Czech Republic.
- “Towards smart elevators: the KLEEMANN experience with four innovations: passenger emergency detection (PEDI), electronic gap measurement (ESM), G-Braille elevator assistance system for the visually impaired and safe environment information (ISE)", by Dr. Girgos Georgiadis, R&D Director, Kleemann Group, Greece.
- “Using circular economy and LCA business models to improve elevator sustainability,” by Laurence Stamford, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
- “Elevator Load Requirements for High Rise Elevators,” by Ville Josefsson, Lead Engineer, and Jaakko Kalliomaki, Project Chief Engineer, KONE, Finland.
A copy of the program with its respective papers is available in the offices of the Chamber of Elevators and Related Companies
Panel discussion: conclusion, questions and answers
The conclusion of the panel discussion - moderated by John van Vliet, member of the Liftinstituut team - was that it is essential to continue promoting digitalization and sustainability in the elevator industry, as well as finding a balance between cybersecurity and functional safety.
Some of the triggering questions from the discussion panel, with their answers:
What role does international collaboration play in advancing sustainable practices in the elevator and escalator industry?
A crucial role, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, technologies and best practices. There are many experiences that can be shared and adopted globally. For example, some regions may be more advanced in implementing green technologies or adopting energy efficiency standards and serve as a model. International collaboration can also help establish common standards and foster innovation in sustainable solutions.
How do industry standards and harmonization efforts contribute to the successful integration of digital solutions for sustainability?
They are fundamental. They provide a common framework for the development and implementation of sustainable technologies, ensuring interoperability and compatibility between different systems and providers. It is crucial to identify and develop specific standards that address key aspects of sustainability, such as energy efficiency, data management and cybersecurity.
What challenges and opportunities do you see in advising clients on the adoption of digital solutions for sustainability in vertical transportation?
Challenges include educating clients on the benefits and feasibility of these solutions, as well as helping them navigate the complexity of implementing and integrating these solutions into their existing operations. The opportunities lie in providing expert and personalized advice, so that clients can maximize the value of their sustainable technology investments and improve their environmental and operational performance. The widespread adoption of sustainable practices must be promoted, collaborating with key stakeholders and participating in capacity development initiatives.
How does your company balance innovation with practical sustainability goals?
Engineering innovation in vertical transportation is contributing significantly to sustainability by introducing more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly technologies and designs. Specific examples include the development of energy recovery systems, the optimization of control algorithms to minimize energy consumption, and the implementation of more sustainable materials and components. It is crucial for companies to balance innovation with practical sustainability goals by carefully assessing the environmental impact and economic viability of new technologies and practices before large-scale implementation. This approach ensures that innovation effectively contributes to long-term sustainable performance improvement.
Other themes
During the course of the panel, another topic addressed was the incorporation of the mandatory use of biodegradable oil in hydraulic equipment, in order to contribute to the environment. There was a commitment on the part of the experts to include that discussion in the next standards.
In addition to the exhibitors, several sponsors presented and promoted their products during the breaks.
Welcome with haggis
What sets IEES apart from other symposiums is the welcome dinner, which provides an additional opportunity to network and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
In Scottish style, attendees were greeted by a bagpiper at the entrance of the Mansfield Traquair, a church built in 1885, located in the center of the city and known for its impressive architecture and decorative interiors. It is an excellent example of Victorian Gothic architecture.
The highlight of Mansfield Traquair is its interior decorated with extraordinary wall paintings by the Scottish artist Phoebe Anna Traquair between 1893 and 1901. They depict biblical scenes and religious figures and cover virtually all the walls and ceilings of the church.
After the reception, it was the turn of the haggis, a typical highly seasoned Scottish dish, made with lamb roasted for several hours, mixed with onions, oats and herbs. The piper “introduced the haggis” in the hall, a ceremony that included the recitation of the famous poem “Address to a Haggis" by Robert Burns. The guests were then asked to toast the haggis with his drink in hand, marking the beginning of dinner.
The reception of the visitors was overseen by Marco Waagmeester, Managing Director of Liftinstiuut; T. Bruce MacKinnon, President and CEO of Elevator World; and his son Harbor MacKinnon, who is the grandson of the founder, William C. Sturgeon, and the future heir. They were all dressed in the country's traditional attire.
The annual IEES event is held in a different country each year and is presented in English to facilitate communication and understanding for participants.
Watch the Liftinstituut video report on IEES 2023
Organizing companies
The organizing companies, Elevator World Inc. and Liftinstituut B.V., have been recognized supporters of the vertical transportation industry for many years. Elevator World has been the international voice of the industry since 1953, providing trusted news and information through its network of magazines and websites. On the other hand, Liftinstituut B.V. works hard to ensure the safety and comfort of millions of people around the world, providing expert advice on elevator construction, maintenance and modernization.
IEES 2024 at the Bahamas
The next symposium will focus on the impact of consolidation and globalization on maintenance and security and will be held at the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas, November 12-13, 2024. Register now.
