Welcome to Episode 8 of Let’s Talk Elevators, recorded live at the ECNY Supplier Showcase. In this exclusive panel discussion, host Morgan Jones sits down with four industry leaders to debate a problem every contractor and building owner faces: traction systems that do not perform as expected.

When an elevator system underperforms, who owns the responsibility? Is it the manufacturer, the installer, the maintenance provider, or the environment?

Our panelists bring decades of experience from every corner of the trade to answer that question. Featuring Carlos Escobar (Hyperion Solutions), Nicola Imbimbo (Prysmian), Greg Decola (VDA), and Kevin McInerney (Metro Elevator), this conversation cuts through the finger-pointing and addresses the real-world pressure of tight schedules, shifting codes, and shrinking machine rooms.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The Rope Life Myth: Why rope life must be measured in the number of bends and trips, not years, and how improper installation (like uncoiling kinks and unequal tension) kills ropes early.

• Modernization Constraints: The physical realities of replacing massive legacy machines with smaller, modern equipment, and the hidden costs of reusing older shivs.

• The Training Gap: Why short-sighted economics and a lack of field education lead to premature equipment failure and costly callbacks.

• Maintenance Pricing Realities: A candid look at the "race to the bottom" in maintenance contracts and how it impacts system longevity.

• Coated Suspension Means: The European perspective on belts versus traditional ropes, including the strict environmental and cleaning requirements needed for them to function properly.

This industry is built on physics, and you cannot cheat the hoistway. Whether you are a consultant writing specs, a mechanic tensioning ropes, or an independent contractor trying to hold the line on maintenance pricing, this episode delivers the technical insight you need.

Subscribe today and join us as we elevate the conversation.