How have Model Lifts evolved over the years and how has lift standardisation benefitted the industry?
In his latest article, Colin Craney evaluates the journey of the Model Lift, from its initial conception to its influential modern-day presence.
Initially identifying the impact on lead times, Colin explores the impact standardisation had on the capacity of lift manufacturers Otis and how the development of Model Lifts, despite the design flaws and issues, have actually led to significant progress and learning since the post-war era.
“Pettinger presents several arguments in support of the model lift concept (formulated perhaps to ease concerns as much as to inform), drawing upon an analogy relating to standardisation in domestic white goods, and considering the production inefficiencies and higher costs inherent to traditional designs and the manufacture of custom equipment. Perhaps the most pressing aspect of the standardisation debate lay in new equipment lead times and the effect of these upon the construction sector. Traditionally, lead times had been in the region of 35 weeks or more from order. Pettinger also recognised efficiencies in field installation and in workforce understanding of the equipment, and envisaged that Otis’ output of model lifts would approach 50% of production in the “not too distant” future. He was certainly right in that respect, in that the current European market production of the major firms is predominantly based upon standard designs, perhaps up to 90% or more.”
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Colin Craney has 42 years of industry experience, initially in a number of field and management roles with Otis, followed by 17 years in consulting, currently for SVM Associates. Colin is a U.K. chartered engineer and a fellow of CIBSE, European engineer, chartered safety and health practitioner, accredited consultant on the HSE Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register and a member of the Chartered Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Colin is a barrister, having been called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
