Elevator Industry Group Of Southern California

Twenty - two attended our first meeting of 2008. President Mike Shaw announced that he had again spoken with Al Tafazoli, Chief Safety Engineer for the State of California . They tentatively set up a “cracker barrel” meeting for May to discuss the impact of the (anticipated) adoption of the ASME A17.1-2004 Code by the state, replacing the present (1996) version.

Treasurer Stella McIntosh provided copies of her report for all who desired them.

Our presentation was from Patricia Seniw , VP Sales and Marketing for Janus Elevator Products, Inc. and Tom Warmingham, Regional Sales manager for Monitor Controls.

Patricia Seniw and Tom Warmingham - (click on photo to enlarge)

Patricia explained that Janus Elevator Products is a member of the Halma Group. Halma is a holding company with some 45 units, including Janus. Halma is traded on the London Stock Exchange. Janus Elevator Products includes Monitor Controls, E-Motive USA, TL Jones Microscan, Electronic Micro Systems and VPP Vandal Proof Products.

Tom explained the construction and features of Monitor fixtures in detail. The fixtures are certainly very rugged and contain numerous notable features. Every car operating station has an aluminum  backing plate on which all the operating components are mounted. This permits removal of the cover plate for refinishing or replacement without disturbing any of the wiring or affecting the operability of the assembly. The backing plate is attached by strap hinges, further facilitating servicing. The push buttons themselves are the same proven design used for many years. All fixtures are supplied pre-wired. Many button designs are available including vandal resistant types. A total of 480 combinations of buttons can be supplied. In addition to the video “slide show”, display cases showed us the actual products:

Monitor Display cases (click on photo to enlarge)

Patricia showed us a video of the latest Janus door edges, which include built in red-green signal lites . “2D” and “3D” designs are available.

Very interesting and informative presentation! Everyone in attendance received a “Janus” tee shirt and luggage tag. Thanks Patricia and Tom!

The meeting concluded with our fabulous raffle for prizes provided by John and Doris Brannon, Jack Lawson, Stan Schultz, Harvey Ledesma, Allan Lloyd of DRAKA, Gerry McKinnon, Mary Thomsic of ALPS Wire Rope and Mike Shaw of LERCH BATES.

And the winners were —

Stella McIntosh, Tim Hawkins, Jack Lawson, Andrew Ryan, Andy Duzich, Dave Altman, Stan Schultz, Mike Shaw and Steve Grainer.

This months attendance prize, provided by the Group, went to Andy Duzich.

This meeting was our annual Christmas party, attended by about 60 members, spouses and other guests. Among the guests, we were particularly pleased to see Chuck Tam (former Westinghouse Elevator manager). The room was well decorated, with centerpieces on each table and a gift for each person (a 60th Anniversary EIG Coffee Mug, resplendent in blue and gold, stuffed with candy and handsomely wrapped), all prepared beautifully by our esteemed treasurer, Stella McIntosh. Stella’s daughter, Lisa Martinez, assisted in setting up. Kudos for a great job, ladies!

President Mike Shaw opened the meeting, called for self introductions. After these were complete, “thank you’s” with rounds of applause were extended to Lisa and Stella, as well as to unsung heroes Andy Duzich for handling the raffle tickets and to Doris Brannon for keeping the attendance records in order throughout the year.  Peter Callas also thanked the group for cooperating with the City of LA so that the important work performed by the LA Department of Building and Safety Elevator Division went smoothly in the face of the heaviest workload ever.

Mike Shaw indicated that he had spoken to Al Tafazoli and a decision by the State of California to adopt A17.1- 2004 is anticipated and we plan to hold a “cracker barrel” meeting in the spring of 2008 to explore the impact.

The membership voted to give an extra $150 to our servers for the good job they have done all year as well as $50 to the valet parking crew.

This was followed by our raffle, for what must surely be the best group of prizes ever, both as to quantity (more than 40!) and quality. Prizes were provided by the group and also - John and Doris Brannon, Estella McIntosh, Jack Parker, Pat Parker, Steve and Dominica Grainer, Lupe Castrejon, Stan Schultz, Larry Jones, Sharon McKellips, Mary Thomsic, Harvey and Shirley Ledesma, Tim Hawkins, Bill Adrian, Alex Cargill, Scott Dutton, Scott Southard, Jack and June Lawson, Dick Linn, Janice Serrano, Mike Farris, Gordon Simpkins, Steve Rosnack, Marilyn Look, Allan Lloyd, Mike Shaw and Leslie Malloy.

The list of winners (many with multiple wins) is –

Bob Evans, Linda Hawkins, Andy Duzich, Bernie Tillipman, Lupe Castrejon, Steve Rosnack, Barry Friesion, Orion Pepin, Bill Adrian, Harvey Ledesma, John Schioppi, Leslie Malloy, Tim Hawkins, Darla Abel, Jack Parker, Marilyn Look, Stan Schultz, Mike Shaw, Doris Brannon, Steve Grainer, Greg Walker, Chuck Tam, Tony Mesa, Pete Callas, Bill Raffa, Peggy Linn and Jack McIntosh. This months attendance prize, provided by the group, a complete “Blue Tooth” kit for use with cell phones, went to Alex Cargill.

President Mike Shaw opened the meeting with the traditional round of self introductions by the thirty one in attendance We were most pleased to have Doug Witham of GAL and Teresa Shirley of NAEC with us. Also, we had several long time members and supporters from out of the immediate area, including Dick Vinciquerra of AFD Industries accompanied by his lovely wife, Carol, Andrew Ryan of Innovation Industries, and Steve Rosnack of Canton Elevator.

Marilyn Look was accompanied by her husband, Launis. They have just established Look and Company, LLC, a new firm specializing in Stair Chair Sales and Rentals.

Industry veteran Mike Barnum, now operating Southcoast Elevator and Kevin Heling, President and General Manager of Brugg Wire Rope were also in attendance.

The present slate of officers was re-elected for another term by unanimous vote of the members attending.

Back Row - l to r: John Brannon (Secretary and Web Master), Allan Lloyd (Vice President and Program Chairman), Mike Shaw (President)

Front Row - l to r: Estella McIntosh (Treasurer), Doris Brannon (Sergeant at Arms), Stan Schultz (Membership Chairman and Editor of THE SHAFT)

Mike Shaw presented the commemorative edition custom made putter from our June Golf tournament awarded to a sponsor chosen by lot, to Doug Witham of GAL.

Mike Shaw (l) and Doug Witham

Teresa Shirley issued a personal invitation to the Industry Reception for the jointly sponsored seminar at Crowne Plaza, LAX on November 14, at 4:30 PM to all present.

Teresa Shirley issues invitation  - Mike Shaw stands by

The Groups check for $3000 as our donation to the Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) from our June Golf Tournament was accepted on the Foundation’s behalf by two of the directors, Dick Vinciquerra and Doug Witham.

Allan Lloyd gave us recap about how the EESF program works to educate grade school children and just how effective this program has been and how those who’d like to participate can do so.

Allan Lloyd presents, Mike Shaw looks on

Next, we had a presentation by Barry Bouyer of MORETON BAY SYSTEMS, a provider of self contained  video surveillance systems. For elevator applications, the unit can be mounted in a corner of the cab or on the back wall. It is motion activated and records images to an “SD” memory card within the unit. Each (2 GB) card will hold about 65,000 images, equivalent to about ten days in usual elevator applications. The card can then be replaced with an alternate one and the images transferred from the card to a PC for viewing and/or storage. The accompanying software enables rapid search by date/time to locate any desired specific images. The images can also be viewed at selected speeds ranging from very fast to frame by frame. The unit can be powered by battery or from an AC source. It can operate in temperatures from -20 to 50 degrees Celsius ( -4 to 122 degrees F)

Unlike closed circuit TV systems, no shielded wires to the in car unit are required. There is no need to have an exterior monitor nor anyone viewing it, nor of course, any wiring thereto. The cost of the units is about $1000 each. An infrared version for low light conditions is available. Looks like one of those would have been handy for the picture below (flash failure — sorry ’bout that!).

Barry Bouyer

Looks like a great idea. Many thanks for a good presentation, Barry!

The proceedings concluded with our regular raffle for some great prizes provided by John and Doris Brannon, Stan Schultz, Teresa Shirley of NAEC, Steve Grainer of MITSUBISHI, Andrew Ryan of INNOVATION, Allan Lloyd of DRAKA Leslie Malloy of WESTCOAST Pads,  Alex Cargill, Marilyn and Lauris Look of LOOK & CO., Kevin Heling of BRUGG WIRE ROPE, Mike Shaw of LERCH BASTES, Patti Crocker of CROCKER’s INC., Mary Thomsic of ALPS WIRE ROPE and Mike Barnum of SOUTHCOAST ELEVATOR.

The winners included — Steve Rosnack, Mary Thomsic, Allan Lloyd, Mike Barnum, Kevin Heling, Andy Duzich, Teresa Shirley, Doug Witham, Steve Grainer, Lupe Castrejon, Patti Crocker, Alex Cargill and Carol Vinciquerra.

This months attendance prize, provided by the Group, went to Bernie Tillpman.

NEXT -

CHRISTMAS PARTY, DECEMBER 18