The most difficult environment for an elevator is a parking garage making one tough elevator essential. Exposure to the elements as well as being way from the main building or in a remote location is often problematic.
Even with surveillance systems some feel there are no prying eyes watching them come and go. Also, the riders are usually not limited to a specific known clientele like in other elevator settings. Most anyone can pick up a ticket to park and go in or even just wander in off the street. Depending on the time of day the elevator can be left isolated and vulnerable. All of this makes for difficult operating conditions including heat and cold, wind and rain as well as an opportunity for vandalism.
The result is a parking garage becomes a true test for elevator durability. Much like the old Timex commercials from the 50’s and 60’s. John Cameron Swayze in his smooth voice would say, “Let’s see what happens when…” And then they would strap a watch to Rocky Marciano’s wrist or Mickey Mantles bat. After taking the pounding it would work like new and Swayze would proclaim it “Takes a licking and keep on ticking.” You need an elevator that tough.
It all starts with design. A tough commercial quality elevator for any parking structure has to be durable first. This is the thinking behind the MEM Elevator System for Parking Structures such as the Bellflower Project as seen below. First and foremost our parking structure elevators begin with a rugged hoistway or shaft welded together from tube steel. They pass inspection in any Seismic or hurricane zone. Then comes the solid steel sling and strong Galvaneal steel elevator cab. All are designed for heavy commercial use. Why? We know what the elements can do and anticipate high passenger traffic. So the unit is engineered to take a bruising in all circumstances a parking garage elevator has to take.
It is also engineered to look great regardless of the building design. Once the fully installed elevator is in place (in less than four hours), nearly any exterior cladding can be applied to match the architects plans for the rest of the project. Just because it has to be one tough elevator, doesn’t mean that it is not flexible in the look. It is then started up in a week and ready to be inspected and used. Our system is so fast in placement and start up it can also be used as a construction elevator.
Additionally, our parking structure design includes special accessories. Vandal resistant features are a must. This includes the control panel and elevator buttons that are created specifically for difficult environments. They are not plastic and easily broken. The overall cab finish can also be designed to be cleaned and buffed like in the above photos. This will help remove graffiti and to stand up to rough treatment. A wood core elevator cab is never a solution for this kind of environment. They use just a thin metal laminate to cover the particle board. They cannot take the demands of cleaning. Also, if the wood core gets wet you know the results. Swelling, chipping, warping and the laminate glue comes loose.
The MEM Elevator System for Parking Structures comes with a ceiling with recessed lights designed to withstand harsh treatment as well. They can also be replaceable if need be. All exterior hoistway finishes on doors and frames are flat, paintable and easily cleaned. The hall calls are in the frame of the door, making them tamper resistant, tough and vandal resistant as well. NEMA-4 Type wiring enclosures can also used to protect the elevator workings against weather conditions.
We have a well thought out approach when it comes to durability. 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 for Parking Structures. See how our experience regarding elevators and parking structures can be a perfect fit. 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 and show you how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
We need Supportive Housing Elevators Fast. Supportive housing is also referred to affordable housing or low income housing, but regardless of the name the need is more than evident. So, when it comes to housing the homeless, faster is better to address the issue. But also we must use the resources available in a timely fashion. Funds are being allocated to help right now. As an example the Los Angeles City Council has approved more than $51 million in financing for the construction of new affordable and permanent supportive housing developments.
But that funding can be slippery if not acted on quickly and the need could continue to go unaddressed if not used. The bottom line is that funds allocated need to result in actual building projects that are designed for housing the at risk population as quickly as possible.
And there is the problem. As everyone in the construction industry knows, a building does not pop up overnight, even when funding is approved and support is given. It takes plumbing, electric, foundation work, drawings, permits and approvals. Lastly, if over one story the project takes the slowest component of any build project, an elevator. But Modular Elevator Manufacturing (MEM) has the solution.
Elevator Sales Executive – Christian Lahud from TLShield & Associates explains, “In traditional construction the elevator hoistway is built and sits until power is turned on at the end of the project. Then and only then elevator technicians show up. They come and go at their leisure, carrying in elevator parts and installing them one at a time until the elevator is running.” Lahud went on to say that, “The elevator and its mechanics are the first on the site and last to leave. Everything is slowed down including other trades that need the elevator installed to finish.”
The MEM Elevator System however is produced in a factory environment where a hoistway is constructed with steel. The structure is engineered to be strong enough to be self-supporting in most cases. Then all of the elevator components are installed in the hoistway in the factory.
Ultimately, when it is needed it is loaded on to a truck, shipped to the jobsite and set in place. In four hours you will have a fully installed, commercial quality elevator ready to be started up and used. It can also double as a construction elevator.
Lahud says this makes MEM perfect for the affordable housing market. “The MEM Elevator System is high-quality, but fast in setting and startup. It is a real solution where speed is of the essence to address a pressing need. No other elevator system is shipped and in place when the customer wants it.”
How do we know we are the solution? Over the decades of experience we have produced several elevators for supportive housing with just a couple of the most recent projects pictured. As you can see, whether a steel frame structure or modular structure involving storage containers, the MEM Elevator System is a perfect fit. We can be what you need regardless of the structure type. Right now due to the speed of modular construction and the immediacy of the problem there seems to be a high demand for modular structures. But another fast way to build housing is using an existing structure.
With that in mind, we are perfect for retrofit opportunities. The initial purpose of the modular elevators was to attach them quickly to exteriors of existing buildings to make them more accessible. We have grown from servicing just that market over the past 30 years, but we are still experts you can rely on if you have a retrofit project in mind.
Wrapping it all up the benefits are obvious:
It maybe time to explore the possibilities further regarding supportive housing elevators and 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 and show you how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.
I just finished writing a great blog about how Modular Elevator Manufacturing (MEM) is in complete in support of the Modular Building Institute (MBI). Also, included is how we support the modular building industry as a whole and promote the benefits of modular construction. We are even going to the MBI annual convention (see more below)! Then I realized that many could confuse our support with use of our elevators. To be clear and to set the record straight, our MEM Elevator System is compatible with any structure type.
The ability to be compatible, depending on the height, is that MEM elevators are designed to be self-supporting. That means they can be place on the interior or exterior of buildings. Regardless of the construction method used MEM is a fit. Everything from post-and-beam construction to heavy steel framing can use a modular elevator. Even concrete structures can and do incorporate modular components, including the MEM System.
In real terms there is no difference in the use or components in a traditional or a modular system. Our commercial quality elevators are just that, high quality. Modular is just superior. The MEM System provides a fast, high-quality solution that allows you to decide when the unit arrives. When you need it, it is delivered. An elevator shaft lowers into place with a factory installed elevator inside and ready for start up.
Another application that traditional elevators really struggle with are when it comes to retrofit projects. They are a piece of cake for us. Modular elevators are used in additions to structures, exteriors of existing buildings, stadiums and also in the center of existing buildings. And, it is not as hard as it sounds. The good news is that we have had decades of experience. With our help you can determine the best way to place the elevator regardless of the structure type. To assist we will not only provide you with drag and drop drawings, and engineered plans but expert advice. With our system and our help you will accomplish your goals for your project.
Now let’s be clear there are some limitations. MEM elevators are engineered for low and mid-rise applications. Also, depending on the location of the build, there may be some issues with crane use or getting under bridges. But, those are usually minor problems and usually we find ways to circumvent almost any challenge. Here’s an example.
So is the MEM Elevator System perfect for modular building? You bet. But, our elevators are utilized for almost every structure as well.
If you want to find out more about our system you can come and see us at World of Modular. We would be glad to speak with you about the benefits of modular and how our elevators are leading a revolution in construction. This year the conference is in San Antonio, Texas – April 25-28, 2022. If you go (and we highly recommend it) make sure and stop by booth #4. There you can discuss the elevator revolution with our national territory manager Ken Grider.
He will be able to answer any questions you may have and give you a thumbnail price on the spot. If you just can’t wait for the show, you can contact us below for a Fast Track Quote. This quick quote will give you all the pricing information you need to begin your project. You can also sign up for a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR of our production facility. During the tour you will see how we produce the highest quality modular elevator in the industry. We will take any and all questions about MEM while we show you what we do. Find out how we are taking the elevator industry higher.
Well our full name is Modular Elevator Manufacturing (MEM). We have been in the modular and elevator business for around thirty years and as a result the modular industry is very important to us. We see modular as more than just another way to build. It is a continuing and growing methodology that has forced needed change into the construction industry and elevator industry. It has challenged the status quo with better, smarter, safer and faster ways of producing everything from homes to commercial buildings. This approach has resulted in a revolution that we are proud to be part of where there is more accountability and better processes.
For instance with the MEM Elevator System a fully-installed, commercial elevator is placed in hours and started up in a week. It is incredible and something traditional construction cannot accomplish. Our high-quality system goes in so fast that it is often used as the construction hoist to save even more money on projects.
With that said, leading the charge in the revolution towards better building is the Modular Building Institute (MBI). No doubt as they say, they are “the voice of commercial modular construction”! Their mission is to expand the use of offsite and modular construction through innovative construction practices, outreach and education. They do a fantastic job at fulfilling that mission.
So, if you are a modular producer in the construction industry you should be a part of that organization. We are at Modular Elevator Manufacturing. But more than that if you have any questions about modular, MBI and MEM regarding elevators are experts.
To show off a little bit each year MBI has an annual convention called appropriately the World of Modular. This year it is in San Antonio, Texas – April 25-28, 2022. So, if you are not a modular company but are the least bit curious about the modular industry, I would highly recommend attendance. You will find the leaders of the modular business there discussing alternatives to conventional construction and how modular building continues to grow and change the way projects are completed. It is a place to network, exchange ideas, learn from experts and discuss issues.
At MEM we see joining MBI or attending World of Modular as the first step in joining a revolution of better building and higher quality practices that is changing the world of construction. We look forward to seeing you at the show. Make sure and stop by booth #4 and discuss the elevator and modular revolution with our national territory manager Ken Grider. He will be able to answer any questions and give you a thumbnail price on the spot.
If you just can’t wait for the show, you can contact us below for a Fast Track Quote. This modular elevator quick quote will give you all the pricing information you need to get started. You can also sign up for a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR. During the tour of our production facility you will see how we produce the highest quality modular elevator in the industry. You can also ask any questions you would like about MEM and our process.
So for some see you in San Antonio or for others, see online live!
Record Breaking Year Thank You! – This time of year we cannot help but to look back and see what there was to be thankful for. That at first blush it seems like a difficult chore because 2021 started off rough. Need I tell anyone that? It all began with a continued COVID-19 threat with its evil cousin Delta soon raising its ugly head. There were riots and dissatisfaction. Political problems and the rise of big tech. Inflation worries and supply chain woes still abound. The threat of manufacturing slowdowns even has Christmas looking more like one that Scrooge would approve of, before his reclamation. And yet somehow through it all two momentous earthshattering realities set in.
First, and I hate to say it, but in 2021 Tom Brady proved beyond any doubt he truly is the greatest quarterback of all time. This website that tracks his every success confirms it whether we like it or not. His stats are crazy and he is running out of fingers and will soon have to use his thumbs for all the rings he’s acquired.
Secondarily, and much more importantly I am glad to report, Modular Elevator Manufacturing broke all records for any modular elevator company. That makes us the premier modular elevator manufacturer anywhere. By producing more turnkey, commercial quality elevators than anyone else it qualifies us as the G.O.A.T. of modular elevators if you will. And just like with Brady, MEM’s success takes more than just us.
A company, any company, could not have our kind of success unless it has loyal friends, colleagues and customers (new and old) in ever-growing numbers. We appreciate you and are thankful for you. Too often the shoe of gratitude is on the other foot and we sometimes forget to say thanks as often as we should. Just today we received a great note from a brand new 2021 partner. It said in part:
“As a new trade partner we appreciate your expertise and innovation in pre-fabricated modular elevators.”
Those are rare words. When was the last time that you send a note of thanks to your elevator provider?
Therefore, in this season of recounting what we are thankful for, we here at MEM can say without hesitation we are thankful for you! We thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you and provide you with a great product. We thank you for sticking with us during this turbulent past couple years. We thank you for exploring your options and taking the chance to break away from the old traditional ways of building for new and better. We thank those that have been partners for decades to those that have just discovered us.
We thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!
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 elevator complete! Another great project is complete and up and running. This is just an example of the flexibility that you can have with modular elevators.
We loved working with the team to have another elevator set in less than four hours and up and running in less than a week. Great job to the architect and the GC.
Also, thank you MEM team! Everyday you prove you are the best. Modular Elevator Manufacturing – quality elevators taking you to a higher level.
If you want your own elevator to accent your project that will save you time and general costs on your next project click below and get started. We promise to respond quickly with a Fast Track budget number. Keep in mind that the budget number includes the hoistway that is dropped into place. Many folks forget that the elevator comes preinstalled inside the actual steel hoistway wrapped in a mold resistant and fire resistant drywall.
Also remember that the entire elevator and all of the components are already inside. That is why the set process in the picture takes a couple hours and the startup only takes a couple of days. It really is the best system for low and mid-rise applications.
Affordable Housing – Modular Elevator Solution. No one can deny right now there is a problem for urban areas of all sizes and that is affordable housing. According to the most recent stats from “The State of Homelessness in America” a publication of the Council of Economic Advisors, a half-million Americans struggle with housing. 65% of that half-million can be found in homeless shelters while an astonishing 35% or nearly 200,000 are on the streets.
But, I really didn’t need to give you the stats. A stroll down the street in many of our cities reveals the problem without reading a detailed report. Homelessness abounds.
At its core the issue is one of supply and demand. Simply put, there just are not enough residences for a myriad of reasons. As a result the law of supply and demand dictate that many of the homeless are so, because they are priced out of the market. There are just too few housing options. The supply is low – the demand is high and that makes prices likewise high.
One solution is to reform the laws and codes in local jurisdictions that have helped create the problem. Unsurprisingly, the report lays blame at that door and maybe deservedly so. But, good luck with sweeping legislative change, let alone sweeping change fast.
The current political climate in most urban areas makes wholesale changing of housing laws for the better a pipe dream. With that reality it makes the only other solution increasing the supply of affordable housing. The alternative is turning a blind-eye to the problem or to burry our collective heads in the sand.
If more units are the best solution a couple of hurdles need to be crossed. Both time and space need addressing. I am not taking about Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity. Where (space) the housing units can be placed and how fast (time) they can be erected is the concern. This is an immediate crisis and one that will not go away without action so, the faster new housing can be readied for occupancy, the better.
When it comes to housing where it is placed is always key. I recently toured neighborhoods where two completed affordable housing units where ready for occupancy. During the tour I noticed that surrounding the new modular buildings were rows of houses and small apartment complexes. They lined the street, crammed closely together. The houses were probably built in the 40’s or 50’s and most of the houses were still occupied. Several showed a high level of pride in home ownership. As a result it would be unrealistic to acquire those properties in bulk to create a new, sprawling complex. It would be costly and inefficient.
I did however, notice two or three dilapidated units, usually grouped in clusters. There were no rose bushes or neatly trimmed lawns. Graffiti was more common than a car in the drive. They were obviously abandoned. So more housing could be more easily accomplished to use those small narrow lots, instead of buying and bulldozing dozens. But, solving this problem takes more than just a new house being built in place of the old. Multiple units would have to go in that space. That means building up. In the two units I toured it meant a modular elevator.
The second you say “elevator” in any project that is time sensitive eyes roll. Everyone knows that traditional, old-fashioned elevator installation wrecks the timeline for completion. Tacking an additional 6-months, a year or more to the completion date is not unheard of. So, building an affordable housing unit with a traditional elevator is not addressing the immediate need at all. It certainly doesn’t show the homeless population much compassion for the plight they are in, especially when there are alternatives.
Modular building is a much faster option. In the two examples I visited both were purely modular. However, a modular elevator can be used in any type or building project. Even retrofit applications can have a modular elevator installed.
The time savings is because the elevator being built as a completed unit in the factory while the project is still in the process of site prep and permitting. They are then delivered to the jobsite as finished elevators.
Modular elevator units from Modular Elevator Manufacturing can even be used as a construction elevator as they are delivered when you want them.
The elevator is placed in less than four hours and when power is provided they are started up in less than a week. The elevator is removed from the critical path. Problem solved.
Time and space has been inextricably combined by Albert Einstein. His theory linked both into one entity. The same is true with the housing crisis we face.
Time and space are huge obstacles that are linked in the quest for affordable housing. Modular elevators are the solution to addressing both problems at once. The space available means to address the housing crisis we are forced to build up in multi-story units. However, concerns over time constraints and the need to act quickly have dampened the enthusiasm for a multi-story solution. Modular elevators put that solution back on the table. It has worked successfully already in a number of projects we have been a part of.
We are ready to discuss a vertical transportation solution for any low or mid-rise project. Hopefully, we can be a part alleviating the issue of homelessness. Affordable housing is an immediate need and we can be part of the solution. To get the process started just click on the button below. We can provide you with a quote in less than a day.
At Modular Elevator Manufacturing we are fond of saying you get the elevator delivered when you want it. But, exactly how does that work? Obviously, you can’t decide on Friday you want an elevator and one pops up on Monday.
There is a process, however it is not laborious and in comparison to stick-built options. It is significantly easier. But, still there are things that must be done in a certain order for you to get a fully installed, commercial quality elevator set on the day you want.
First, a quick explanation as to how modular saves time and helps you with your project. This will help you see the need for the steps we have put into place. With modular construction overall the key is the period between a project being greenlit and the site prep and foundation work being completed. During that time in traditional construction there is some activity, but most of the work is in a holding pattern.
With modular all of the various components are being built during this time period. So when the cement is dry, the crane arrives and the project get’s its elevator and other modular units if any. Not to confuse matters, but it really doesn’t matter to us when you want the elevator at all. In some projects it goes in first, in others last, some in stages. It all comes down to when it is best for you as long as nothing impedes the crane putting it in place.
So now we get to our process. How does it work for your benefit by taking the elevator off the critical path. I hate to be repetitive but, just to remind you it is a fully installed elevator being delivered (car, rails, wiring, doors, etc. all inside the hoistway). In most cases it will be set in 4 hours or less and then started up when there is power. It has to be adjusted, but all that takes less than a week in most cases. Many people still don’t believe it when the unit arrives on time and completely installed. They are use to the old-fashioned way elevators are cobbled together where deadlines are more like guesses.
There are ten general steps from requesting a Fast Track Number to a fully functioning elevator. Some of the steps literally takes place overnight (like getting you a Fast Track Number). Other steps like the design phase takes a bit longer. We can expedite some of the process as well and there are things you can do to move things along. We will get to that, but first below are the standard steps.
You will notice that it takes 16 weeks to produce a high-quality product. That can be shortened, but not significantly. We produce high-quality elevators and are not a company that will rush things and put the riders at risk. Likewise, we will never compromise on safety on the construction site. Some promise an 8 week elevator, well that can cause disaster.
So to shorten the process the most important thing you can do is to get “Step 3” completed as fast as possible and provide us with a general date you would like to have to the elevator delivered. Completing “Step 3” ensures that the engineering and design will begin and providing a prospective date will allow us to plan and block out manufacturing time for you.
Another thing you can do to keep the timeline short and moving forward is being responsive to requests. Sometimes a project can be delayed for a week or more while we wait for a simple signature.
Lastly, make sure your accounting department knows the process. Sometimes internal processes can slow things down.
Remember, our goal is to get you a fully installed elevator when you want it; not too soon or too late. Communication is crucial. We will be proactive in contact with updates. Also, we understand when the delivery date changes. It is the construction business so things happen and pushing out is a reality. We will remain flexible.
To help stay flexible and informed, your primary contact will be the same person through out the entire process. The person that supplied you with the Fast Track Number will be the same person managing the project every step of the way. They are knowledgeable experts in the industry!
Because we have the most experience in the modular elevator world, we can smooth out and anticipate any problems or issues before they occur. This leads to success of your project as a whole and the elevator portion of the building. We consistently accomplish our goal for our clients of an elevator delivered they want it. We want to do the same for you. Let’s get started with a Fast Track Quote today. Click the button below.
The year 2020 has been a well-deserved punching bag. With the Covid pandemic, governmental mismanagement, the US election, forest fires from California to Australia, riots in American cities, airline crashes, earthquakes, tornados, volcanos, floods and even locust, it will go down as one of the worst years ever in many people’s minds. With bad things occurring in almost biblical proportions how can I blog 2020 Good News?
First, let me say I am purely looking at this from an economic perspective because without a doubt it has been a horrible year for many that have suffered with Covid or have lost loved ones.
And even sticking with just the economics let me acknowledge that for many 2020 has been a devastating mess. Especially in any small to medium sized business that thrives on in-person contact. Masks just don’t work when you are trying to eat out. Then you have all the rule changes about who can go where and do what. I am horrified to think about what the owners and employees of those businesses have been through. Beyond that, what happens if this drags on much longer? We will become a nation of chain restaurants and superstores with jobs permanently lost. The current shuttered stores will just disappear and mom and pop will simply have their hopes and dreams dashed.
However, in the macro 2020 becomes good when you look at humanities collective ability to thrive despite challenging times. Applications for business licenses are up surprising. We are a resilient bunch.
It is also good news if you are in very specific markets. Some have shown surprising growth despite all the bad news of the past twelve months. Who amongst us would not like to turn back the hands of time and buy stock in Netflix, Zoom, Dominoes Pizza or any number of pharmaceutical companies. They are unapologetic winners. This past year has not been bad for many with often the opposite being true.
Modular Elevator Manufacturing thankfully falls into the category of 2020 winners despite the challenges. It begins with the fact that most building and manufacturing was considered essential when others were forced to shutdown. And then generally the entire modular industry is on a continued, decades long upswing. As stated in the recent 2020 Smart Market Report for Prefabrication and Modular Construction by Dodge Data and Analytics:
Prefabrication and modular construction are both experiencing a significant expansion of interest and use as the construction industry seeks to improve safety, productivity, quality, cost, schedule and sustainability performances while continuing to face workforce shortages, cost uncertainties and other challenges.
Stephen A. Jones – Senior Director Industry Insights Research/Dodge Date and Analytics
We at MEM can anecdotally confirm the data put forth by the experts. There was a “significant expansion of interest and use”. In the year 2020 Modular Elevator Manufacturing doubled (yes doubled) sales and production. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hugo Beltran is proud of the accomplishment. He said, “The 2020 results are astounding and as a result we’ve had to double the factory space and output capacity. And amazingly we are projecting another doubling for 2021 based on projects already in our pipeline.” 2020 good news!
Although, Beltran would like to take credit for all the growth, he recognizes there is more at play. His team was crucial to success, but there was more. He said, “The construction industry is looking for real solutions to real problems.” And “There are economic and market fundamentals assisting us as the modular industry addresses those problems. So hard work by the MEM employees and the needs of the construction sector are pushing us forward in hitting all-time highs.”
Those needs as echoed in the Dodge report are: cost predictability, improved quality, improved safety, increased schedule certainty, and reduced waste. MEM is simply taking advantage of the opportunity by providing real solutions to longstanding problems in construction. But meeting needs must be more than marketing gimmicks or props in a storefront window or the growth will not accompany the construction market move to modular solutions.
That is why in the modular elevator segment, some flourish and prosper like MEM, while others struggle. While some have to explain away shoddy work and poor engineering. MEM demonstrates what decades of experience can provide with superior service, workmanship and engineering. It is why some struggle with growth despite a market that is booming. While at the same time MEM discusses a Midwestern facility to meet national sales demand. MEM can say 2020 good news (at least in some respects), others are just glad to see it go.
Hopefully for all 2021 will mean a return to more prosperous times and not just some segments. But one thing for certain, if predictions are anywhere close to correct and the market continues to embrace modular solutions in construction, MEM will be a leader in the elevator industry with more growth yet to come.
If you want to be a part of the solutions provided by the modular industry we are willing to help. We will answer any of your questions and provide a Fast Track quote. If you have a low or mid-rise project just contact us. Click the button below and fill out the information. A quote will be prepared and sent to you within 24 hours.