Otis India has been one of the leading players in theElevatos and Escalators market, not just in the country but across the world.Today, the company is working with leading ITproviders, including Microsoft and AT&T to develop its digital platform toenable its connected elevators of the future.

Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India, speaks with EPC&I on the growing elevators and escalators market in thecountry.

“Otis is working with leadingIT providers, including Microsoft and AT&T to develop its digital platformto enable its connected elevators of the future.”

Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India.

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  Let me startoff by ascertaining your views on the Elevators and Escalators market in thecountry today.

  India is the second largest market for elevators andescalators in the world according to independent analysts. Urbanisation hasbeen the key factor in increasing demand for the mid-rise to high-risebuildings, and we expect India’s elevator industry will continue to grow justas rapidly. We can also expect the next developments in elevator technology tobe digitalization and the focus should be on passenger experience.

  Another factor is investments in infrastructure andcommercial projects. Increased focus on developing, expanding, modernizingairports, development of metro rail projects and redevelopment of railway stations,offers opportunities in the infrastructure segment in the long term.

   

  Elevators today offer greater sophistication in features.Would you throw light on the same that you offer the Indian market?

  Otis’ flagship products, theGen2 range, are geared towards efficiency whilst providing environmentallyresponsible features and benefits. Some of the key components of the Gen2 rangeare the coated steel belt, the ReGen™ drive, the permanent magnet machine andthe Otis’ PULSE™ system all of which, when combined, increase the life,efficiency, safety and reliability of the elevator. Otis is the pioneer of thistechnology, which helps achieve substantial energy savings and facilitatesenvironment responsibility.

   

  Would you expandon these new technologies in your machines?

  The Otis’ Gen2™elevator withReGen™ drive captures energy that would otherwise be wasted by the elevator andfeeds it back into the building’s power grid. TheCompassPlus™ destination management system,which constantly evaluates real-time passenger traffic to improve flow andtravel time in busy mid- and high-rise buildings, are the start of this trend.

  To continue this, Otis isworking with leading IT providers, including Microsoft and AT&T to developits digital platform to enable its connected elevators of the future. Otis’SkyBuild™ elevator is an internal construction elevator for high-rise projectsthat’s now available globally.

   

  What are the pain points for leading manufacturers such asyou?

  Lack of skilled manpower anddiffering applicability of safety codes across India are two challenges beingfaced by the industry. The availability of trained manpower is a challenge forthe entire elevator and escalator industry, and not just us. Identifying theright candidates and systematically providing them with training is the key tosuccess. The solution may lie in partnering with government skill-developmentinstitutions and liaising with industrial training institutes across thecountry.

   

  An importantpoint that is not being addressed as much as it should in the country is thelack of safety certifications of the equipment and regulations. How are you, asa leading industry player, addressing this issue?

  At Otis, safety isfundamental to everything that we do and we are supportive of industry effortsto raise awareness on the importance of adopting such standards. While thereare standards issued by the Bureau of India Standards, these serve asguidelines and are only mandatory if enacted by the state legislation.

  In addition, few other stateshave enacted their own Lift Act and Rules, but these are mandatory in thosestates only. Otis products meet or exceed code standards around the world. Industrybodies like the Bureau of Indian Standards are trying to change this by drivingmandatory safety standards for the elevator and escalator industry and seekingcooperation from the states.

   

  Are theescalators manufactured locally or imported? If manufactured locally, what isthe extent of localisation?

  Late last year, Otis rolledout the first global escalator from its Bengaluru factory. So, yes, wemanufacture our elevators locally. We are also present in the Escalator marketglobally. Otis maintains more than 1.9 million elevators and escalatorsglobally and over 70,000 units in India.

   

  To what extentis the after-market a revenue generator for your company?

  A significant portion of Otis India’s revenue comesfrom service. Otis India has over 70,000 units in its maintenance portfolio,which is the largest in India.

   

  Would you throwlight on your regional presence, and growth?

  OtisIndia has the largest service network with 80 centres servicing 300 citiesacross the country.

   

  Lastly, howpositive are you of the future growth potential that the country offers?

  Due to rising urbanisation and rapid development ofthe real estate sector, the demands for escalators and elevators are constantlyincreasing. It has become more of a necessity than luxury. Residents areconstantly looking for various options for their homes.

  Commercial spaces too have seen an increase in theinstallation of elevators and escalators. With the fast paced growth, thedemand for escalators and elevators are only going to increase with time.