Georgia Welcomes Modular Elevators – Morrow, GA. With our partners at Georgia Lift Solutions an MEM Elevator System is now in place in a community center in the state of Georgia.
The two-stop project is the first modular elevator for Georgia Lift Solutions and demonstrates how easy installing an elevator can be.
Kyle Floyd and Dillon Graham of Georgia Lift Solutions became interested in the MEM Elevator System a year ago and saw the potential of a product that cut the project time, reduced ancillary expenses, and provided a high-quality solution. They toured the MEM factory and found that the MEM product would be a perfect match for their organization and many of those needing elevators in their service area.
For them a modular elevator is a great way to grow their business. As the units come fully installed, placement takes less than a day and start up less than a week. They recognized that a traditional elevator would suck too many resources and take too long to complete for their business model. The MEM solution was perfect.
To further explain: a traditional elevator arrives on pallets and is literally assembled, one piece at a time, in an existing elevator shaft. Unbelievable but true. That process is labor intensive, slow, difficult, and dangerous. The difference is manufacturing of the MEM product. In a factory setting a sturdy steel elevator shaft containing all the parts and components is produced.
Everything is installed including the doors, rails, wiring, hall calls, and even the elevator car. MEM National Sales Manager – David Torres explained the difference this way. “A traditional elevator is like buying a car from a dealership, but instead of a new car arriving, it comes to your driveway in crates and boxes, then a mechanic shows up when they want and assembles it right there.” He went on to say that, “No one would ever purchase something as complex in that fashion. As a modular elevator arrives fully installed modular just makes more sense.”
The set at the community center went as promised with the entire process taking less than a day. The elevator arrives on a truck and it is lifted at four points by a crane. It is then rested on cribbing and the crane connection are adjusted. Then it was lifted vertically and carefully placed on bolts in the pre-poured concrete elevator pit. Easy.
Now, once permanent power is provided the Georgia Lift Solutions team will return and start up the unit. They will make sure it levels properly at each floor and then ready it for inspection and use. Simple.
This fast and smoother modular product is revolutionizing the elevator industry and it is long overdue. See, the traditional way of elevator installation is one piece at a time in an existing elevator shaft. That has not changed since the 60s…the 1860s. The need is for revolution. And, the MEM Elevator System is leading that revolution. See the video below.
So, are you ready for a better alternative to the old-fashioned elevator industry? If so, we are ready for a conversation. For your next project it maybe time to explore the possibilities of the MEM Elevator System.
To see how our innovation in the elevator industry can be a perfect fit for your project click the button below. We can provide a Fast Track Quote or schedule a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR of our facility. We would be happy to pull back the curtain and reveal our process. It shows how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
Elevator Revolution – Low-Rise Really Easy. Projects are complex with lots of moving parts. Electrical, plumbing, heat and air, structural concerns, finishes, the foundation, openings, and more needs constant attention and adjustment. The logistics of all those construction divisions suck time and resources from already busy schedules. This makes keeping everything on track, on time and moving forward more than a headache to say the least.
So, every once in a while it is a relief when there is a simple solution. A solution that takes an entire part of the project off the critical path, instead of placing it on the to do list. The MEM Elevator System does just that and makes it easy. It allows you to scratch a line through that part of the building project and not think about it again.
The MEM Elevator Solution is a simple solution because with a modular elevator there are only two steps for you once the contract is signed, the purchase made, drawings are approved, and the pit is poured. The first step is a fully installed elevator delivered to the site and craned into place. This step takes less than four hours and none of your time unless you want to watch it go in. The second step is once permanent power is supplied, the elevator is started up. This take around a week. This was exactly the process of one of our most recent projects, Los Osos High School.
Projects like Los Osos High School demonstrate our fast, high-quality solution through forward thinking and superior engineering. See, traditional elevator companies are just stuck in old thinking when it comes to elevator systems. Traditional elevators are anchored in the 60’s (the 1860’s) with no desire to upgrade their product models. As a result they have no idea as to why installations are such a pain for the owner, architect, project manager and designer. And they certainly have no idea as to how to find solutions. Traditional elevators are stuck in a time warp.
Engineering experience and knowledge in the elevator industry is crucial to make your project a success. We have both. The end user needs to know nothing about an elevator other than it goes up when you press a button, but we do. And it matters.
It matters because that is what allows the installation to go in smoothly and quickly without delays and complications. The process is then a success and it leads to a headache free jobsite. Also, because of our expertise and knowledge we are able to accommodate special requests and special circumstances. Others run from projects that need to incorporate a corner post, or difficult applications such as inside the Spruce Goose Hanger for Google. Because of our engineering, knowledge and experience we enjoy the challenge and the results.
This was true on the Los Osos High School project. Everything went according to plan and according to the timeline that was most beneficial for the project. As we all know, schools have a difficult timeline to say the least. Even when it is new construction the calendar of the school district reigns supreme. That brings lots of pressure to bear.
At Los Osos High School a fully installed elevator was delivered when promised. And it was up and running on time with no complications. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that the elevator is taken care of completely? That is possible with the MEM Elevator System. Through engineering and our knowledgeable team we can deliver.
We have a well thought out approach when it comes to durability, quality, safety, and speed. That is due to our decades of experience in the elevator industry in both service and manufacturing. We know the challenges so you benefit from our years of knowledge. Bottom line, we know what it takes to design and build one tough elevator. But beyond that, we deliver it when you need it on the jobsite as a fully installed unit. Here are some videos showing how easy it is.
So, for your next project it maybe time to explore the possibilities of the MEM Elevator System.
To see how our experience in the elevator industry can be a perfect fit for your project click the button below. We can provide a Fast Track Quote or schedule a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR of our facility. We would be happy to pull back the curtain and reveal our process. It shows how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
Modular Elevators – 2 Elevators 1 School / The MEM Elevator System is most often placed in mid-rise projects for every type of build. As a result, it is easy to forget that we cut our teeth on the low-rise, two and three stop elevators designed specifically for schools.
Over the years we have placed over 100 of our units in schools alone. They are a fast solution to the problem of needing little interruption to the school year. The flexibility is not only in fast placement and start up but, they can be designed to be placed inside a project or on an exterior wall. Placement for MEM is not a usual concern as they can go wherever your architecture team deems suitable.
Below you can see a series of photographs of several school projects that successfully used the MEM Elevator System as well as a short video where 2 elevators were placed in one school.
And just in case you are curious, we can conform with any and all jurisdictional requirements. That includes the stringent requirements of the California Department of State Architects (DSA). DSA projects can sometimes be a difficulty for some solutions. But, we comply fully and are willing to work with any authority, in any state to make sure the project goes smoothly. For more information about DSA, just click this link.
So if you are in need of a school elevator anywhere in the US you can act. Or if you are just a bit curious contact us. We can provide you a seamless and easy solution to your school projects. To find out more we provide two options below.
If you have a project in mind and think we would be a solution click the Fast Track Quote button below. Fill out as much as you know on the form. We will contact you with in 24 hours to fill in any blanks and let you know a thumbnail number. We also believe in transparency, so we offer a great opportunity to schedule a live virtual factory tour. Just click the button and request a date.
Hope On Hyde Park/Los Angeles, CA – Mission accomplished. The Hope On Hyde project is a great example of everyone pulling together for a great outcome. Our small part for this affordable transitional housing community for the Los Angeles area is complete. As a result we thought we would look back at the project and the team that brought it all together.
Of course MEM had a great install team with TL Shield & Associates taking charge of the placement and start up process. C. W. Driver led the way with the overall project leadership and they were grateful for our participation. “We appreciate MEM’s experience in the elevator industry. They helped keep the project moving forward and on time.” – John Kately, Project Executive, C.W. Driver. Lastly, KTGY provided superb architectural plans, drawings and concept.
It was a team effort with us playing just a small part of the overall effort and we are overjoyed with the results.
The project was a modular build from the beginning. So, using a conventional elevator can defeat the overriding premise of using the modular concept. Modular is supposed to be faster than conventional construction. There are other positive factors such as it being safer, greener, higher quality and more cost effective, but the first thing people look at is speed to completion.
We helped with the timeline because if you have a modular project with a conventional elevator, the work can easily grind to a halt. The elevator is smack dab in the middle of the critical path and conventional elevators interrupt the general construction process in the following ways:
For all the above reasons and more, for a modular project the only solution is to place the MEM Elevator solution.
The five-story development will offer studios and one-bedroom apartments on a 0.49-acre site. Residential services and a boxing gym will be located on the ground floor. The 98-unit building will be constructed around a central courtyard, providing privacy, safety, and a deepened sense of community. Parking spaces will be provided for social services staff while each resident will have a bike storage space. Floor to ceiling glazing along the amenity space will engage the community and brings movement to the street.
The elevator for the five-story project, as you can see in the video above, was set in no time. Quite impressive even for veteran project managers. “Seeing a fully installed elevator lowered into place and set in four hours was amazing.” – Luis Cadiz, Project Manager, C.W. Driver.
The process begins with placing the mode of conveyance, an in-ground hydraulic jack. It goes in first. Then the lower a portion of the fully installed elevator and hoistway gets craned into place. Once it is set, the second section of the elevator is lowered as well and locked in. The elevator came in two sections due to transportation needs and is not unusual in the least. The units are designed to be stackable.
The entire elevator set took less than four hours and everything is already inside including the elevator car and wiring. Once power is available onsite the MEM Elevator System is ready to go. It will then be started up, adjusted and scheduled for inspection. An easy, fast, timesaving solution. The elevator is off the critical path and the all too important purpose of the building can begin changing lives sooner than if a traditional elevator was used.
TL Shield & Associates set the elevator and will be in charge of start up as well. They and Modular Elevator Manufacturing was chosen due to the expertise they provide and the superior product they offer. They have been the leaders in the modular elevator field for more than two decades.
Tough steel makes up the MEM Elevator System hoistway with production occurring in a factory environment. Installation of all the elevator components and parts then takes place. Loading and shipping occurs next when the site is ready. In four hours you will have a fully installed, commercial quality elevator ready to be started up and used.
The mission of this project is important. The elevator and the Hope on Hyde Park project are crucial to combat the growing homelessness issues in Los Angeles. There are several benefits for supportive housing with the MEM system:
In conclusion as we see with Hope on Hyde, it maybe time to explore the possibilities further regarding supportive housing elevators. Let’s see if the MEM Elevator System can meet your needs. You can click the button below for a Fast Track Quote for a project you currently are working on. However, if you want to explore it more, request a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR. We would be happy to pull back the curtain. We will show you how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
6 Reasons Modular Quality Matters – We have all been frustrated by low quality. Items purchased in good faith sometimes seem to break before they come out of the box. Or once out of the box, they look or perform nothing like what was pictured or promised when we bought the item. Instead of being happy with the purchase, words like cheap and flimsy cross our lips, meaning that we have been had. The more expensive the item, the more remorse follows.
However, in the modular industry quality is high because we take an antiquated process where onsite construction is the norm and move it to a production facility. What was then built by various people, in various trades, in various conditions becomes an orchestrated symphony of production. Historically poor quality and high cost is moved to a factory where exact processes and standards can be measured and accomplished. The modular process takes various acts of individual quality to a habit of success. For instance, our factory produced hoistways are always plumb and level. That is simply due to our factory processes that cannot be accomplished on the jobsite and it shows.
“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”
Aristotle
As Aristotle said, “Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” And those habits are formalized into higher quality with modular manufacturing. In modular building you will never hear “close enough” or “I guess we will have to make it fit.” It is right every time, because the habits that produce quality are built in.
Unfortunately, there are outliers in some manufacturing facilities. Quality becomes just a slogan. If modular quality matters why do some not improve quality? Procedures are skipped, shoddy workmanship is allowed, new practices are slow to be adopted or worse continued tinkering and “problem solving” doesn’t allow for systems to work. In other words, if you have a team of problem solvers constantly changing the system in an unorganized fashion, the quality will undoubtedly suffer.
At Modular Elevator Manufacturing we make sure changes to procedures are checked and double checked before becoming standard operating procedures because modular quality matters. One person cannot just change something at a whim, even if it is generally a good idea. The procedure must likewise be changed with the whole team being aware of any alterations. That is where habits of quality are formed for the whole organization.
We agree with the Phil Crosby philosophy of quality and as a literal rocket scientist he knew a thing or two about it. He said, “Quality is the result of a carefully constructed cultural environment. It has to be the fabric of the organization, not part of the fabric.” Quality is not posters, or slogans or bright ideas that get used once and then forgotten.
For us quality is a top-down effort and philosophy emanating from senior leadership and permeating the organization at every level. Quality is crucial and should matter that much at every business. It does at Modular Elevator Manufacturing where we take quality seriously.
With that said here are the 6 reasons quality matters for us at MEM. There are probably more but these came to mind:
The entire premise of modular construction is that by instilling factory processes into the construction trade, the industry can produce a higher level of quality, faster and often at a reduced cost. That is what we do at MEM day in and day out. However, when slipshod practices and lack of experience infiltrate the market, quality declines. Then the premise of factory production being better comes under attack.
Whether due to ignorance, no experience or a desire to make a fast buck, when quality is ignored the reputation of the industry gets sullied. The result is a better process that produces a better product (safer, greener and faster) becomes more difficult for the consumer to accept. Who knows how many dollars, how much time and how much energy has been wasted. How many injuries could have been avoided? All due to a very small number of businesses that do not see quality as important.
That is why at MEM we do not think “close enough” is good enough. We know that low-quality has a cost to the industry, the customer and to safety. We strive for quality in all we do. Whether you need a multi-family unit elevator or one for a medical facility, an elevator for a retrofit project or new construction we provide a quality solution.
If you have tried modular elevators before and found that the quality was not as promised, don’t give up. Instead give MEM a try. We live by the above list of 6 reasons modular quality matters. You will not be sold a bill of goods for a fast buck, but instead you will find a partner providing quality you can count on.
If you have a project in mind just click the button below, we can get you budget numbers in less than a day. Of course you can also call us anytime, and have a real conversation with an expert in the elevator industry. We are looking forward to talking to you. You can also click the link for a tour of our facility. Also, we are proud of what we do and how we do it. So, if you are curious schedule your live virtual tour today.
Modular Elevators – Now You See It, Now You Don’t / What will the elevator look like when it is ultimately finished? In other words how will it integrate with the overall design of the building? There has been plenty of misinformation about modular elevators. Many believe that it is always an easily identifiable hoistway or shaft on the exterior of the building. That is not true, of course.
First, they can be placed inside a project or on an exterior wall. Placement for MEM is not a usual concern as they can go wherever the architect deems is suitable. Secondly though, just because they are placed on the exterior does not mean that it will be easily identifiable when the project is finished. Below you can see a series of photographs of the MEM Elevator System being placed on an exterior wall, but then it is covered. It seamlessly fits into the overall design. You can also see in the series when designed early in the project, how tight the relation can be between the elevator and building structure. It can then be covered in nearly any material used today. Now you see it, now you don’t.
Poof. Like magic it is gone. The building retains the look the architect, owner and designer desired.
So, if your concern in going with the MEM Elevator System is that it won’t integrate into the building design don’t worry. It will. That means that you can have all the advantaged of the MEM Elevator System with no drawbacks when it comes to project design.
But let’s not ignore the inside of the structure. Again, below you can see what the interior of the building looks like facing the elevator doors and hoistway. It is seamless as well with no obvious break in the integrity of the design.
Sometimes, due to the complexity of elevators people think that a modular elevator has to be even more difficult to use in a planned building project. That assumption is not true. A modular elevator is just an elevator in most respects. They have many of the same components, just installed in a smarter and better way. Installing the commercial quality elevator in a factory means more inspections, better fit of the components, and much less time on the installation. That makes them better and easier way in many ways.
Craig Braund, MEM Systems expert with TLShield and Associates agrees saying, the MEM elevator makes projects easy for everyone. “Whether you are looking at the capabilities of design to the simplicity of installation and speed of placement and start up, no other elevator can compete. It is the best option for low and mid-rise applications.” He went on to say that working with the professionals is key. “Too often in the construction industry people don’t understand how the modular units are integrated. In this case everyone worked in concert with each other for stunning final results.”
So, now you see it, now you don’t is not just a magic trick. It takes teamwork and vision, but the outcome is better than what traditional elevators can offer. Team on this project deserves a thanks and congratulations. So, to RAD Technology, Palomar Health and the architecture firm Mascari Warner Dinh Architects thank you for including us!
Now you can act. If you are impressed with the project and the MEM Elevator System. I you are a bit curious contact us. We can provide you a seamless and easy solution to your projects as well. We provide two great ways to find out more.
If you have a project in mind and think we would be a solution click the Fast Track Quote button below. Fill out as much as you know on the form. We will contact you with in 24 hours to fill in any blanks and let you know a thumbnail number. We also believe in transparency, so we offer a great opportunity to schedule a live virtual factory tour. Just click the button and request a date.
MEM Elevator – Walk Through Wonder / RAD Technology Medical Systems worked with the Palomar Health team and Mascari Warner Dinh Architects for a spectacular design. It is a 6,700 sq ft, custom 2-story OSHPD approved CSU addition. The plan included the MEM Elevator System that you can see in a 3D Walk-Through RAD posted.
In addition the unique design for the expansion, the walk-through clearly shows the modular elevator. It was designed to include a complete stainless-steel package. It gives the building a clean, professional look Palomar Health was looking for.
Also, this project is proof positive that speed to completion does not have to impede great design. Some may think a fast timeline can be detrimental to the overall aesthetics of the building. However, based on the final look, feel, and quality, we see that is not true. One would not know that the project was assembled and ready for occupancy in less than 8 months.
Craig Braund, MEM Systems expert with TLShield and Associates says this was a perfect fit. “Anytime you need speed and quality combined in a project that contains a low to mid-rise elevator, the MEM Elevator System is the best option.” He went on to say that working with the professionals at RAD, Palomar and Mascari Warner Dihn was a pleasure. “Too often in the construction industry people don’t understand how all the various components work in concert with each other. The finished Palomar project shows precisely how everything should work together.”
So, from Modular Elevator Manufacturing and the MEM Elevator System, congratulation for a fantastic project. To RAD Technology, Palomar Health and the architecture firm Mascari Warner Dinh Architects thank you for including us!
Now you can act. If you are impressed with the project, the MEM Elevator System, and a bit curious contact us. We can provide you a walk through wonder like the one featured in the 3D rendering. We provide two great ways to find out more.
If you have a project in mind and think we would be a solution click the Fast Track Quote button below. Fill out as much as you know on the form. We will contact you with in 24 hours to fill in any blanks and let you know a thumbnail number. We also believe in transparency, so we offer a great opportunity to schedule a live virtual factory tour. Just click the button and request a date.
We Understand Elevators for You – Elevators are a niche within a niche. Or a subsector of construction that no one really understands and maybe they shouldn’t. Think about it, in the US there are around 10,000 new commercial elevators installed each year.
Yet the construction industry as a whole is huge in comparison. It is more than 4% of the national GDP, and there was $1.823 trillion dollars in total construction in 2023. Lastly there are roughly 8 million employees in the construction industry. Yet only about 108,000 are in the elevator industry. That’s less than 1.5%! Elevator folks are a small exclusive club and they know it.
The upshot is that a vast majority of construction employees, architects and building owners know precious little about elevators because they don’t deal with them very often. So, honestly there is little reason for them to understand them. Most construction professionals rarely deal with elevators as they are, in context of the entire construction industry, rarely installed.
So when you have a project that must have or probably should have an elevator what are you to do?
Over the past decade or so I have come to a profound conclusion. The general construction industry, from architects to the people that swing hammers for a living, hate the elevator industry. This is due to a lack of trust and a bit of arrogance in the elevator industry. And hate is not too strong a word. We did a construction industry-wide poll and it revealed exactly that. There has a been a break in trust. This break in trust is especially pronounced in dealing with the big elevator companies. They tend to be in the habit of hiding vital information and realities of the trade from their customers.
“… a new way needs to be fashioned to revive the elevator industry and meet your needs.”
This lack of transparency has repercussions. Although you can download drawings online and talk to a salesperson (when you can get a hold of them) there seems to be little desire on the part of big elevator companies to get into the vital details of your project.
They want you to throw up a hoistway and then wait for them to complete the work when they want to. This process was fine for the 1900’s, but it’s infuriating today. A revolution was more than needed in the vertical transportation industry and alternatives were developed. These alternatives maybe a better fit for your project, but how do we mend fences and overcome the trust issue? To take advantage of possible alternatives like modular elevators, a new way needs to be fashioned to revive the elevator industry and meet the needs of the customer.
Trust must be rebuilt.
To build back trust we felt a completely different approach was needed that broke with the old pattern of the elevator industry. We have determined that open, clear, responsive, and honest information about your specific project is best. Through this approach we will rebuild trust and develop relationships that will better improve the relationships that seem to have been lost.
It begins with the premise that we understand elevators. Rest assured we do. We have been in the modular elevator business for over two decades with decades more experience prior to that in vertical transportation. But more importantly, we understand elevators for you. We know you do not have the time nor inclination to know all you need to know about elevators. We do, and our approach of full transparency throughout the entire process will let you see the difference. It will also build back the trust in the elevator industry. That trust has been lost over the years by dominance by an old out of dated philosophy and processes. But we at Modular Elevator Manufacturing are claiming it back through communication.
It is our goal as a company to revolutionize the elevator business. But this can only be accomplished with your help. You may leap to the conclusion this means you have to buy our product… we would love that. But that is not our goal. Our goal is to have open and transparent conversations about your project. So we want you to bring the hard questions. Ask us about how the unit fits in your plans, the engineering or even whether you need an elevator at all.
Those discussions will lead to a new perspective on the mysteries of the elevator industry and demystify it so you can make better decisions for your your specific project or projects.
That reformation of the elevator industry may lead to increased sales… or it may not. But we feel with more trust in the elevator industry it will improve our odds. So, if you have a project coming up and a low to mid-rise elevator is in the plans, but you need a discussion please contact us. Whether you think a modular elevator is the solution of not, we will discuss your project to help you. A great place to start and for simple numbers to compare costs, click on the button below for a FAST TRACK QUOTE. That will being the dialog.
Also, part of our effort to be transparent includes a live virtual tour of our manufacturing facility. Click that button to sign up.
Elevator Revolution – It really is that easy. Projects are complex with lots of moving parts. Electrical, plumbing, heat and air, structural concerns, finishes, the foundation, openings, and more needs constant monitoring and adjustment. The logistics of all those construction divisions suck time and resources from your busy schedule. This makes keeping everything on track, on time and moving forward more than a headache to say the least.
So, every once in a while it is a relief when there is a simple solution. A solution that takes an entire part of the project off the critical path, instead of placing it on the to do list. The MEM Elevator System does just that and makes it easy. It allows you to draw a line through that part of the building project and not think about it again.
It is a simple solution because with a modular elevator there are only two steps once the contract is signed, the purchase made and the pit is poured. The first step is a fully installed elevator delivered and craned into place. This step takes less than four hours and none of your time unless you want to watch it go in. The second step is once permanent power is supplied, the elevator is started up. This take around a week. This was exactly the process of one of our most recent projects, Los Osos High School.
Projects like Los Osos High School demonstrate our fast, high-quality solution through forward thinking and superior engineering. See, traditional elevator companies and other modular elevator businesses have significantly less experience or are just stuck in old thinking when it comes to modular elevator systems. Traditional elevators are anchored in the 60’s (the 1860’s) with no desire to upgrade their product models. With the modular elevator business, many elevator novices jumped into the market with little understanding of what makes an elevator tick. As a result they have no idea as to why installations are such a pain and certainly had no idea as to how to find engineering solutions. For them, often times, each elevator produced is an experiment that the builder pays for in real dollars.
But why should superior engineering matter to the developer, building owner, architect, project supervisor, or other building professionals? I mean really the most you really need to know about an elevator is when you press the button, it goes up. In simplest terms an elevator is just a box that goes up and down inside another box.
However, the engineering matters because that is what allows the installation to go in smoothly and quickly without delays and complications. The process is a success because what we say about a simple solution is true. And it leads to a headache free jobsite. Also, because of our expertise and knowledge we are able to accommodate special requests and special circumstances. Others run from projects that need to incorporate a corner post, or difficult applications such as inside the Spruce Goose Hanger for Google. Because of our engineering, knowledge and experience we enjoy the challenge and the results.
This was true on the Los Osos High School project. Everything went according to plan and according to the timeline that was most beneficial for the project. As we all know, schools have a difficult timeline to say the least. Even when it is new construction the calendar of the school district reigns supreme. That brings lots of pressure to bear.
With the project a fully installed elevator was delivered when promised. And it was up and running on time with no complications. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that the elevator is taken care of completely? That is possible with success through engineering and our knowledgeable team.
We have a well thought out approach when it comes to durability, quality, safety, and speed. That is due to our decades of experience in the elevator industry in both service and manufacturing. We know the challenges so you benefit from our years of knowledge. Bottom line, we know what it takes to design and build one tough elevator. But beyond that, we deliver it when you need it on the jobsite as a fully installed unit. Here are some videos showing how easy it is.
So, for your next project it maybe time to explore the possibilities of the MEM Elevator System.
To see how our experience in the elevator industry can be a perfect fit click the button below. We can provide a Fast Track Quote or schedule a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR of our facility. We would be happy to pull back the curtain and reveal our process. It shows how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
Elevator Poll Results In / Oct, 2023 – When it comes to polls the type you hear about most are of the political variety. I hate to say it, but those polls usually have a hidden purpose. They are not very straight forward and often try to lead to specific predetermined conclusions. Prognostication or propaganda? We approached our first of its kind elevator poll in a much different fashion. We actually wanted to know the truth about what construction professionals really had to say about elevators.
As a result we sent our simple five question poll to nearly 20,000 construction professionals from architects and engineers to project managers and elevator companies. We then took 12 months to gather and analyze results. Our purpose was to gauge and discover impressions, problems, shortcomings and possible solutions.
We also held multiple open forums and are now ready to share final results.
Our desire is to improve an industry that has not substantially changed in how it installs elevators or deals with the construction industry for over 150 years. To make improvements we wanted to start with actual information from the people that deal with elevators and have to live with the challenges they present.
After all, our goal is to lead an elevator revolution. You can’t lead anything unless you know where you are going. And knowing where you have been is also a big help.
As mentioned before to augment the polling data we also held a series of open forums regarding the elevator poll and industry concerns. The opportunity for input was vital because for a revolution to take off it must start with a well founded idea. But as the idea grows, connections are created and communication with like-minded individuals and companies come together. Then you can have true innovation and change.
The open forums discussed the results of the elevator poll, confirmed our suspicions and we connected through communication with folks that want the same thing; a responsive elevator industry that provides solutions not obstacles.
Everyone involved (including elevator professionals) want to change the practices and products for the better. So what are the findings?
You can access each individual graphics below by clicking on them. Using the polls and with the help of our open forums we came to some important conclusions for the elevator industry and how it is viewed by the construction industry as a whole. But don’t take our word for it. We encourage you to look at the graphics and add your comments below as to what your impressions are. Forward this to others for their input. As time goes by we can enhance our perspective. This is because we are searching for truth and not trying to promote a specific perspective. We feel communicating and continued analysis will help both industries (construction and elevator) improve.
The responses and discussion groups revealed the following:
The overall customer experience is negative regarding the elevator industry. Over 88% feel the experience was horrible to needs improvement. Over 40% felt it was horrible to barely tolerable. No sugar coating it, it is not a good result. However, keep in mind this attitude shifts dramatically depending on occupation or role. 90% of design professionals believe their experience to be generally good. Easy to use websites for plans are a big help. Turns out however, websites can’t install an elevator. This also means that the elevator industry focuses effort on the sale of elevator units, not difficulties of those downline from the decision.
A possible reason for the negative experience is the elevator interrupts job completion. 65% in our poll say the elevator always creates delays. At the end of any build, the pressure is on to finish up. Tensions run high as time is running out. One person we talked with about the frustration said, the elevator company indicated they would have to push out more than 6-months passed the expected occupancy date. Understandably he was apoplectic, but stuck and he knew it. His impression of the elevator industry is forever harmed.
The traditional elevator industry has no solution for the pace of the install. They will be done when they are done and the timelines for the elevator crew are often times at odds with the construction manager’s expectations. Bad communication and unresponsiveness may be the heart of the negative reviews.
The most important consideration regarding the purchase is on time start up and use. But there is no control over that with current industry standards. The conventional elevator is an immovable object stuck on the critical path. That creates a feeling of loss of control or helplessness.
Cost, Type of Conveyance and Structure are also concerns that sometimes present few options for improvement. Too often based on poor specs, builders are over sold regarding conveyance type for the building with hidden costs. Also, cost of the elevator does not encompass all the ancillary aspects of the build, so at the end of the project the actual investment in the elevator is unknown.
How much money per stop is wasted due to call backs of drywallers, flooring and painters? One construction professional has indicated the traditional elevator cost him $30,000 to $40,000 more per stop due to call backs of other trades. He found another alternative.
Good News! There is flexibility as no one polled automatically keeps the same elevator company due to past experience. This means change is possible. However, pushing the choice of elevator to the bidding process leads to specs that stifle innovation. As we have learned and discussed in our forums, elevator companies largely ignore the specs anyway. They supply bid packages with tons of caveats and wherefores, not even addressing specs. So why push the decision out to or past the bid process where you are now under more of their control?
By the time you are passed the bid phase, it is often too late to consider other alternatives without additional costs. All hope of innovation is gone. Ultimately, construction professionals are often locked into just a couple bad choices. It also sets in stone an unfavorable timeline for project completion.
Difficulties – Start up is the elephant in the room. It is a huge issue, but out often out of anyone’s control, including the elevator installer, especially regarding inspection and final approval. Cost overruns are a huge and constant issue. Also, the lack of communication costs time and money on the project. One example provided was the inspection of the elevator was pushed by the general contractor to be expedited. This led to the elevator being fully ready… but life/safety aspects of the building were still not complete. That meant a failed inspection and then change orders to return for a second scheduled inspection. Open communication would have resolved that issue before it became one.
This poll and open forums lead to a great starting point for the construction industry to begin to change how it views elevators and all the pitfalls. It also gives Modular Elevator Manufacturing and others in the elevator industry the perfect opportunity to change the industry from the inside out. In the next blog post, we will get into the specifics of how the elevator industry can change to improve its image, product and installation.
We will continue to discuss how a revolutionary way of dealing with real issues can improve your projects, reduce headaches and can lead to a better way of building. Elevators will never be problem free, but they can be improved and that is our hope as we lead an Elevator Revolution.
In the mean time if you want to know more about the MEM Elevator System please let us know by clicking a link below. You can take a virtual tour of our factory where we openly discuss our process and the elevator industry. You can also request a Fast Track Quote if you have a project in mind and are curious about the solutions we offer. One more reminder – please comment below. Your input is important.