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An example of a modern elevator interior from KONE.

MEP Middle East takes a closer look at some of the major elevator and escalator players in the UAE market, and some of the latest projects they have been involved with.

ThyssenKrupp Elevator

ThyssenKrupp Elevator, one of the world's leading elevator companies, continues to be very active in the UAE since 2005 after winning the largest contract in the history of the elevator industry - more than 800 elevators, escalators, moving walks and passenger boarding bridges for the Dubai International Airport expansion. About half of those installations are now up and running in Terminal 3 and Concourse 2. With work ongoing at Concourse 3, the company recently won an additional contract for the eight massive 9100 kg capacity SkyTrain elevators.

ThyssenKrupp Elevator has achieved milestones with the first orders of the TWIN elevator -- two elevators operating in one shaft -- in UAE and Saudi Arabia last year, and is currently installing this revolutionary product. The Tornado Tower in Doha has been equipped with the fastest elevators in Qatar by ThyssenKrupp Elevator. New contracts are being won at a good pace despite pressures in the market earlier this year.

Despite the global and regional economic scenario, the UAE market is still big enough to accommodate many players. Over the last few months, the company has achieved overall growth in the areas of new installations, services and modernisation, and expects to grow even further in the future. Close proximity to clients has helped improve service. The UAE 24/7 hotline (800 THYSSEN) has boosted response time. The company has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In terms of the TWIN systems for Dubai, ThyssenKrupp Elevator is supplying two of these, with a total of four cabs, as well as 17 conventional elevators for the Latifa Tower. Upon the completion of this 210-metre-high residential and office building in 2010, these will be the first TWIN elevator installations in use in Dubai. While the upper TWIN cabs in the Latifa Tower will travel in the shafts at up to six metres per second, the lower cabs will reach a speed of up to four metres per second.

In addition to the two TWIN systems, two of the 17 conventional elevators are also suitable for use as TWINs. If needed, they can be extended into a complete TWIN system through the installation of a second cab. In the Latifa Tower, as in all buildings with TWINs, ThyssenKrupp's intelligent destination selection control system will be used. Prior to entering the cab, the passenger selects his or her destination via a touch screen. A computer then selects and displays the fastest elevator. Thanks to reduced waiting times, and with as few stops as possible, the passenger is transported to the desired floor quickly and conveniently.

Dunbar and Boardman

Dunbar and Boardman has been involved with such iconic landmarks in Dubai as the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates. Founded in 1981, Dunbar and Boardman is the UK's largest elevator consultancy. With its head office in London, it has since expanded to include 11 regional offices. Specialising in all aspects of vertical transportation and building access equipment, the consultancy focuses on the seamless integration of elevator system design into the final building, incorporating the following:

• High-level traffic studies and analysis to ensure that the building is functional;

• Knowledge of the latest technological innovations to ensure cutting-edge design and infrastructure;

• Ensuring that systems are environmentally and economically sustainable;

• Compliance with the latest codes and standards; and

• Development of effective emergency evacuation and fire strategies.

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