4 steps to win BIG in the escalator business

Did you know that on average, the escalator maintenance revenue stream can be up to three times that for an elevator? That’s the reason why a growing number of elevator companies are approaching the market of escalators and moving walkways. Find out how SMI Italia can support you in winning in this challenging market.

STEP 1
A key starting point among the many services SMI Italy offers to elevator companies is the initial escalator check-up. With the expert help of the SMI technical team, you will learn to “listen, observe and understand” the escalator’s state of health. SMI Italy will provide you with a CHECK-UP SUMMARY REPORT that includes all the analysis and highlights the main issues and consequences on escalator uptime and security. Based on this first overview, you can choose your sales positioning and strategy.

STEP 2
For escalators already under maintenance contract, SMI Italy can support you with an in-depth analysis of the escalator. This involves checking both mechanical and electrical components. Measurements are made on handrails, traction chains, rollers, steps, combs and on those parts that are most subject to stress. Attention to operator and customer safety on escalators is one of the main cornerstones on which SMI bases its analysis. Some types of intervention can be suggestions aimed at increasing uptime or safety, such as the choice of applying a lighting system to the comb platform to the lower pit cover, where the lighting in the boarding area and in that of disembarkation is not sufficient.

In other cases, there is an important need to make the intervention compliant with the current norms or legislation, as in the case of the application of anti-ride barrier or anti-intrusion devices in those situations in which there is a significant compromise of user safety.

The SMI team of professionals has in-depth knowledge of the relevant regulations for escalators: UNI EN 115 family of codes and UNI 10411-15. The latter specifies the requirements for the modification of existing escalators and moving walkways, manufactured in compliance with CIRA Recommendation n ° 28 or UNI EN 115. The SMI technical report, contains references to risk assessment and allows operators and customers to prioritize the actions that are necessary to eliminate them.

The SMI experts summarize all the useful information in a PRIORITY ANALYSIS REPORT that can be used with the customer to highlight priorities and maintenance activities.

STEP 3
Another important step in for elevator companies is in the support SMI Italia provides in business development. Enroll in the Impianto Sicuro Academy. Establish when to attend the courses online and onsite according to a schedule that fits your needs. Let the expert staff train you on the norms, routine and advanced maintenance operations, sales strategy and operations. Our innovative hands-on training method will have you working on a real escalator under expert supervision. The Impianto Sicuro Academy is conveniently located only 30 minutes from Milan Railway Station and the Malpensa International airport and about 500km from Munich, Stuttgart and Lyon, 400km from Innsbruck and only 340km from Nice.

STEP 4
Do you need spare parts and new installations? SMI Italia will support you in obtaining original or compatible spare parts in the shortest time at competitive prices. SMI Italia has a vast network of vetted suppliers and can help you source the part that fits your need. We also supply new escalators and moving walkways. SMI Italia will provide you with tailor-made solutions that last.

NOTE: Each service includes a testing phase, the delivery of the system to the elevator operator and the issuance of the relevant certificates of conformity certifying the proper execution.

BONUS.
You decide. Choose one or all of our flexible service solutions a) work with your own team of professionals or b) outsource the activity entirely. Many operators prefer the first option as it allows for a transfer of know-how inside the company. Others choose the ‘turnkey’ service as it does not engage the company’s technical experts.

Paolo Bellodi – Partner shareholder and technical director for SMI Scale Mobili Italia s.r.l.

Follow our linkedin page: SMI-ITALIA