The International Life Expo Korea 2014 took place at the COEX in Seoul during its four-day run from Oct. 28-31. The theme of the expo wasa realizing public safety and promoting the Korean elevator industry.
The expo was hosted by the Ministry of Security and Public Administration (MOSPA) and organized by the Korea Elevator Safety Institute. The exhibition showcased the latest technologies, including a twin elevator, a double-deck elevator and a high-speed elevator, as well as an evacuation elevator for blocking smoke inflow in case of a fire, and such safety technologies as a device designed to prevent the reverse operation of escalators.
Korean and foreign lift leaders and SME exhibitors participated in the exhibition. They presented solutions and the overall trends of the global lift industry. They included Hyundai Elevator Otis, Thyssen Krupp of Germany, Mitsubishi Elevator of Japan, Hisan Motor, Kumho Elevator, Torin Drive, Kangli and Safe Line.
Some 120 public entities, companies and universities -- including companies from the Geochang Lift Valley, emerging as one the nation’s lift meccas -- the Gyeongnam Techno Park and Korea Lift College showed off their own unique products and technologies. In particular, the exhibition attracted lift sector opinion leaders from 16 countries, including some from Europe, the United States, China and Indonesia, as well as some 23,000 spectators.
VIPs of te international lift organizations and industry leaders attended a ceremony to open the International Life Expo Korea 2014. They included Esafandiar Gharibaan, chairman of the European standardization for lifts CEN/TC10, Ian Todkill, president of the Pacific and Asia Lift and Escalator Association (PALEA), David McColl, chairman of IO-TC 178. WG8, Achim Hutter, president of Interlift, and Zhang Leziang, vice chairman of the China Elevator Association.
Exhibitors’ performances were said to be extraordinary.
They were engaged in 1,194 different negotiations during the expo period. Twenty-five companies signed contracts worth a combined 3.7 billion won. In particular, Lotte Mart introduced a device designed to prevent the reverse operation of escalators the company has developed. Lotte Mart was negotiating a deal to supply the device to Seoul Metro and Incheon Airport Railroad Express. Korea Elevator Consulting struck a 200 million won consulting service contract. It also sent a thank-you letter to the International Life Expo Korea 2014 Organizing Committee.
The expo coincided with the international standardization meeting of the ISO/TC 178, WG8, held from Oct. 28 to 30, in which Korea submitted a proposal concerning Korean frequency bands related to the testing of lift radio waves.
On the opening day, PALEA also held the General Assembly Meeting. On the same day, Korea Elevator Service Cooperative and Korea Elevator Maintenance Association (KEMA) jointly organized a seminar on how to develop the elevator maintenance service industry.
On Oct. 29, seven global lift experts participated in an international seminar. In the afternoon, Otis and Thyssaen Krupp jointly sponsored an explanation session on new technology and design trends.
The Korean Society of Elevators and Escalators held an academic forum in the morning of Oct. 30. That afternoon, Hyundai Elevator gave a lecture titled “Announcement of New Technology and Building-Elevator Sway.”
Spectators at the expo were given opportunities not only to take in the latest exhibits, but also enjoy cultural performances and other forms of entertainment.
Visitors at the Lift Theme Pavilion got a glimpse into the past, the present and the future of the Korean lift industry. The pavilion had a historical booth tracing the 100-year history of the Korean lift industry, the history of the expo, a safety booth designed to teach how to prevent major accidents, and imaginary elevator miniatures.
A literature hall adorned with poems and essays by famous poets, including Shin Dal-ja and Oh Se-young, which was installed in the exhibition area, served as a place for spectators to take a rest.
Children experienced origami, lift games and watched doll performances on safety. As part of efforts to break spectators’ monotony, such things to see as magic shows, pantomimes, bubble shows and quiz shows were offered on five to eight occasions daily.
Chairman Gharibaan of the European standardization for lifts CEN/TC10 said the International Life Expo Korea 2014 served as an expo rich with things to watch and entertain, including corporate exhibitors’ exhibits, conferences and cultural events. In particular, the chairman said he was impressed with teaching how to ensure lift safety for children.
KESI, Winner of the Special Award of the 13th Korea Safety Grand Prize
_34 Event 복사본.jpg)
KESI President Kong Chang-seung is honored with the Special Award of the 13th Korea Safety Grand Prize.
Korea Elevator Safety Institute (KESI) grabbed the Special Award (MOSPA Minister’s Award) of the 13th Korea Safety Prize in recognition of its contribution to dramatically reducing accidents by improving lift safety systems at an awards ceremony at Korea Press Center in Seoul on Nov. 5.
The 13th Korea Safety Prize was jointly sponsored by the National Emergency Management Association and the vernacular Kyunghyang Daily. Korea Safety Prizes are presented to companies, organizations and individuals who take the initiative in protecting people’s lives and properties from a variety of disasters to spread public awareness of safety.
KESI has been credited with introducing a smart work lift testing method this year in which testing crews use smartphones and tablet PCs at inspection sites and fix problems via video conferencing with desk chiefs.
KESI has been praised for changing applications for inspecting lifts to a mobile paradigm. Customers are now allowed to send applications for inspecting lifts via smartphones instead of visiting KESI or calling.
These efforts by KESI have paid off. Lift accidents sharply declined from 133 cases in 2012 to 88 in 2013, a 34 percent decline. The number of accidents caused by users’ faults dropped from 113 cases in 2012 to 65 in 2013, a 42 percent drop. Lift accidents involving the elderly decreased from 63 cases in 2012 to 26 in 2013, a 59 percent improvment.
“Winning of the Korea Safety Prize is owed to KESI’s differential management efforts to translate safety into action, and We’ll devote ourselves in establishing itself as a public entity trusted by people by elevating our services to customers to the standards of the private sector,” said KESI President Kong Chang-seung.
_34 Event.jpg)
