Category Archives for "2014"

National Elevator Industry, Inc. Celebrates 100 Years of Leadership

Highlights

  • 2014 marks 100 years of industry leadership for elevator/escalator trade organization
  • For the last century, NEII® has been the preeminent trade association and foremost authority for codes and standards in the building transportation industry

SALEM, N.Y. (July 15, 2014) – The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first recorded meeting of the Elevator Manufactures’ Association (EMA), which later became NEII.

In 1914, the first meeting took place in the Iroquois Hotel in Buffalo, N.Y. The trade organization was initially established in response to changing urban environments and the need for codes to safeguard the riding public in elevators. The organization developed the first model elevator code which would serve as the basis for today’s modern ASME A17.1 safety codes.

As the premier trade association for the building transportation industry, NEII‘s principle responsibilities remain the promotion and advocacy of the latest safety codes and standards, endorsing the adoption of the latest model codes by local government agencies and encouraging the introduction of safe, innovative building transportation technology.

NEII‘s timeline encompasses many notable milestones, including:

    • Development of the first model elevator safety code; “Uniform Regulations for the Construction and Installation of Passenger and Freight Elevators” in 1917.

 

    • Release of “Elevator Layout Standards,” which later became the “Building Transportation Standards and Guidelines, NEII-1,” providing invaluable information on all products, standards, guidelines and terminology associated with vertical transportation.

 

    • Development and distribution of “Safety Regulations for Field Employees” in conjunction with the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC).

 

  • Launch of CodeFinder in 2006, a single-resource for NEII member companies to find accurate, up-to-date information on all the local codes, standards and regulations that affect business and safety practices.

A detailed history of the organization can be found on NEII‘s website.

NEII‘s story is one of unprecedented industry leadership, cooperation and achievement,” said Richard T. Hussey, president of NEII. “As we celebrate our centennial, we also look to our next 100 years of helping make the elevator industry even safer, more sustainable and innovative for our customers, employees and the riding public.”

About NEII
National Elevator Industry Inc. (NEII) is the premier national trade association representing the interest of firms that install, maintain and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks and other building transportation products, including parts or components. NEII promotes safe building transportation for new and existing products and technologies, and works with various organizations on the formation, adoption and enforcement of the latest building transportation codes and standards. NEII membership includes the major elevator companies in the United States, if not the world. NEII offers Regular, Trust and Individual memberships. For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org.

NEII Announces New 2014 Board of Directors and Trust Committee

Highlights

  • New board to further the association’s mission and implement the Long-Range Strategic Plan serving as the basis of action by NEII®
  • Promotion of safety for new and existing building transportation technologies is a chief objective
  • Trust Committee will continue to administer the rights and obligations of the organization with regard to building transportation industry benefit plan trusts

SALEM, N.Y. (April 29, 2014) – The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) announced today the election of its new Board of Directors, including officers and Trust Committee members. These elections became effective April 29, 2014, and were made in conjunction with NEII‘s 80th annual meeting held in Hartford, CT. This year also marks NEII‘s 100th anniversary as the premier national trade association for the building transportation industry. The newly elected Board of Directors and officers include:

    • Richard T. Hussey, President – Hussey serves as chief executive officer of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company, where he is responsible for all business operations in North and South America.
    • Sterrett Lloyd, Vice President – Lloyd currently holds the position of president at Draka Elevator Products where he directs the company’s worldwide operations. He began his lifetime of industry service as a contractor and is the third generation of his family to work in the industry.
    • Michael Bauschka, Treasurer – Bauschka is the controller and treasurer for KONE Inc., where he leads the general accounting, treasury and tax functions for the Americas. He has more than 20 years of experience in this role.
    • Edward A. Donoghue, Secretary – Donoghue is the spokesperson and managing director for NEII. He has served NEII for over 40 years, acted as chair of numerous industry organizations and is one of the foremost authorities on elevator codes and safety, formerly serving as NEII’s Codes and Safety Consultant.
    • Michael Corbo, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. – Corbo is general manager/senior vice president of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA’s elevator and escalator division. Corbo has more than 25 years of industry experience and has been involved with NEII for ten years; including serving as NEII’s board president from 2005 to 2007.
    • Katsuji Okuda, Fujitec America, Inc. – Okuda is responsible for managing all aspects of Fujitec America operations, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing and service in more than 14 cities. He has 28 years of experience with Fujitec North America.

 

    • Jakob Zueger, Schindler Elevator Corporation – Zueger serves as chief executive officer, Schindler Americas, with responsibility for North, Central and South America. He previously served as chief executive officer of Schindler Elevator Ltd., Ebikon/Switzerland.

 

    • Lawrence Wash, KONE Inc. – Wash currently serves as the Americas executive vice president/chief executive officer for KONE Elevator, a position he’s held since 2012. Wash previously worked as president of Global Services for the Climate Solutions sector of Ingersoll Rand, as vice president of service and contracting business for Trane within North and Latin America and in various leadership roles with Xerox and Eastman Kodak.

 

  • Tom Vining, Otis Elevator Company. – Vining is president, Otis Americas, where he is responsible for the overall leadership and operating performance of Otis in North and South America. He has more than 25 years of industry experience.

 

The NEII Board of Directors is responsible for managing and directing the affairs of the association as it pertains to its mission statement, which includes: promoting safety in new and existing building transportation; promoting laws and regulations that permit the introduction of safe, innovative technology; endorsing adoption of current model codes by local government agencies; and advocating responsible laws and regulations at all levels of government.

Trust Committee
The Trust Committee is solely responsible for administering the rights and obligations of NEII with regards to the NEII Benefits and Educational Trusts. The newly-elected Trust Committee includes:

  • Christine Petranchuk, Otis Elevator Company – Petranchuk is vice president of human resources for Otis Americas and has more than 16 years of human resources experience.
  • Bruce Brenizer, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. – Brenizer serves as senior vice president of human resources, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics U.S.A., Inc.
  • Kara Ekert, Schindler Elevator Corporation – Ekert is vice president of Human Resources for Schindler Elevator Corporation and has more than 11 years of human resources experience with the company.
  • J. Patrick Heaney, ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company – Heaney serves as vice president of labor relations for the U.S. field operations of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation.
  • Charles Moore, KONE, Inc. – Moore holds the position of senior vice president of human resources, for the North American operations.

“I am honored and excited to work with this Board of talented individuals and proven leaders in the building transportation industry,” said Richard T. Hussey, president of NEII. “The success of this organization is a direct result of the hard work and deep commitment they have consistently shown to expanding NEII‘s leadership position as an authority in the areas of codes and safety, steering the adoption of the latest innovations in the industry and ensuring the safety of both the riding public and elevator technicians.”

About NEII
National Elevator Industry Inc. (NEII) is the premier national trade association representing the interest of firms that install, maintain and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks and other building transportation products, including parts or components. NEII promotes safe building transportation for new and existing products and technologies, and works with various organizations on the formation, adoption and enforcement of the latest building transportation codes and standards. NEII membership includes the major elevator companies in the United States, if not the world. NEII offers Regular, Trust and Individual memberships. For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org.