Category: Approvals

EHC Global Awarded Multi-Year Contract to Supply NT and TufFlex Escalator Handrails to Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EHC to provide NT and TufFlex handrails, field splicing and support services to Paris Métro and the Réseau Express Régional (RER) networks

December 19, 2018 (Baesweiler, Germany and Paris, France) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of components and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry, is pleased to announce that EHC France has been awarded a multi-year contract by Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) to supply escalator handrails and related services to the Paris Métro and the Réseau Express Régional (RER) networks. Under the terms of the exclusive two-year contract, EHC will supply NT and TufFlex handrail platforms in addition to field splicing and technical support services.

RATP is responsible for most of the public transport in Paris, including the Paris Métro, tram and bus services as well as part of the RER network. Established in 1900, the Paris Métro is one of the busiest metro systems in the world with 16 lines and over 300 stations. In 2016, Paris Métro was ranked as the best public transport system in the world by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) with all Parisians having an easy access to rapid transport, ahead of 26 other international cities. The RER, a hybrid suburban commuter/rapid transit system serving Paris and its suburbs, is comprised of five lines and over 250 stations, including several connections with the Paris Métro.

“We are very pleased and proud to announce this latest contract award from the RATP to serve the needs of the Paris Métro and RER networks and the millions of Parisians, tourists and business travellers that rely on public transit each and every day,” said Norman Rosnersky, Managing Director of EHC Central Region. “Our NT and TufFlex handrails are engineered to perform in the most demanding public transit environments and high-traffic applications.”

Developed by EHC, the NT handrail platform was introduced in 1997 as an environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced alternative to conventional rubber-based products. The NT suite of value-added solutions, collectively referred to as “NT+”, has been engineered to provide enhanced safety, wayfinding, aesthetics and branding. The NT+ product family includes ColourRail™, SafeRail™, MotionRail™, BrandRail™ and AMRail™. Available in a wide range of profiles and colours, NT handrail is recyclable, easy-to-clean and requires minimal maintenance.

Headquartered in Baesweiler, Germany, EHC’s Central Region operations include manufacturing and distribution facilities in Germany, Spain and France, regional sales offices in Slovakia and the United Kingdom and a network of partners throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). EHC has established itself as a leading provider of escalator handrails, safety brushes, lift components, field splicing, escalator installation and escalator maintenance in the EMEA region, servicing both the new construction and replacement markets. Every day, EHC helps millions of public transit commuters move safely and comfortably on escalators, moving walks and elevators. EHC works with many leading public transit systems throughout the EMEA region including Paris, Marseille, London, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Dubai.

About EHC Global Inc.
Established in 1977, EHC Global Inc. (EHC) is a leading manufacturer of handrails, rollers, composite steel belts and lift components for escalators, elevators and moving walks. Each day, EHC helps millions of people all over the world move safely and comfortably in public transit systems, shopping malls, airports, office buildings, hospitals, convention centres and other metropolitan spaces. EHC is committed to developing sustainable solutions that optimize safety, enhance value and meet the challenging demands of OEMs, designers, building owners and facility managers. To accomplish this, EHC employs top material scientists and engineers and continues to invest in R&D, product development, and next-generation polymer and composite extrusion technology. EHC has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil and China and a global network of sales offices including Mexico, Slovakia, United Kingdom and the USA as well as EHC partners in all major markets globally. For more information about EHC, visit www.ehc-global.com.

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Media Contact:
John M. Calderon
Director of Marketing
EHC Global
1287 Boundary Road, Oshawa, ON L1J 6Z7 (Canada)
O: 905-432-6600, Ext. 217
M: 647-456-7547
www.ehc-global.com
john.calderon@drakaehc.com

EHC Global Launches NT MotionRail™ Handrail Solutions to Public Transit Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago Transit Authority is First Public Transit System in North America to Implement NT MotionRail™

February 13, 2017 (Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of escalator and elevator components, announced the global launch of NT MotionRail™ handrail solutions to the public transit market with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) serving as EHC’s North American launch customer. Escalators at CTA’s North/Clybourn Station in Chicago have been retrofitted with EHC’s patented NT handrail and feature permanent and vandalism-resistant motion indicators that provide a visual indication of the speed and direction of travel, enabling riders to take a more natural step onto the escalator.

Established in 1947, CTA operates the second largest public transportation system in the United States, serving the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. Approximately 1.64 million rides are taken on the CTA on an average weekday. Presently, CTA service is provided by two modes: bus and  rail rapid transit. The rail system, commonly referred to as the “L”, consists of eight rapid transit routes and 145 stations over more than 224 miles of track. Parts of the “L” run above ground, in subway tunnels, as well as at grade or in expressway medians. CTA joins London Underground and Dubai Metro as the latest major public transit system to implement NT MotionRail™.

“NT MotionRail™ has been engineered to maximize passenger safety, accessibility as well as traffic flow on escalators and moving walks in both indoor and outdoor applications,” said Jeno Eppel, President and Chief Executive Officer of EHC. “NT MotionRail™ expands EHC’s comprehensive suite of escalator safety and accessibility solutions, which include NT SafeRail™, NT AMRail™ antimicrobial handrail, NT ColourRail™ and D-Flector™ skirt brushes.”

With the addition of NT MotionRail™ to the NT platform, designers and operators now have the option to select a preconfigured motion indicator or design their own graphic to meet local code requirements, language and/or branding considerations. NT MotionRail™ is ideally suited for a wide range of applications including public transit systems, airports, shopping malls, department stores, convention centers and healthcare facilities.

Developed by EHC, the NT thermoplastic urethane (TPU) handrail platform was introduced in 1997 as an environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced alternative to conventional rubber-based products. Available in a wide range of sizes and colours, NT handrail is recyclable, easy-to-clean and requires minimal maintenance. NT handrail solutions can be found in most major public transit systems throughout North America and around the world.

 

About EHC Global Inc.

Established in 1977, EHC Global Inc. (EHC) is a leading manufacturer of handrails, rollers and lift components for escalators, elevators and moving walks. Each day, EHC helps millions of people all over the world move safely and comfortably in public transit systems, shopping centers, airports, office buildings, hospitals, condominiums and other metropolitan spaces. EHC is committed to developing sustainable solutions that optimize safety, enhance value and meet the challenging demands of OEMs, designers, building owners and facility managers. To accomplish this, EHC employs top material scientists and engineers and continues to invest in R&D, product development and next-generation polymer and composite extrusion technology. EHC has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil and China and a global network of sales offices including Barbados, Mexico, Slovakia, United Kingdom and the USA as well as EHC partners in all major markets globally. For more information about EHC, visit www.ehc-global.com.

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Media Contact:

John M. Calderon

Director of Marketing

EHC Global

1287 Boundary Road, Oshawa, ON L1J 6Z7 (Canada)

O: 905-432-6600, Ext. 217

M: 647-456-7547

john.calderon@drakaehc.com

North/Clybourn Station (CTA)

ctastation-danielle-dai

Photo Credit:  Danielle Dai

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SIGNAGE ON ESCALATOR & MOVING WALK HANDRAILS

October 15th, 2013

An open letter to all Authorities Having Jurisdiction, Maintenance Contractors, Consultants, and Equipment Owners in the United States and Canada:

The topic of signage on escalator & moving walk handrails has been one of considerable discussion over the past several years.

ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B.44-10, section 6.1.6.9.2, specifies that no “additional signage” shall be permitted within the “safety-zone” of the escalator.  Similar language can be found in 6.2.6.8.2 pertaining to moving walks.  The same paragraph goes on to define the Safety Zone as an area that extends 118” (3m) horizontally outward from the newel and cautions that additional signage should not impede traffic flow.  ASME A17.3 – 2011 only addresses mandatory Caution Signs and contains no language regarding Additional Signage.

Various interpretations of the “additional signage” wording have in the past lead to acceptance of handrail signage in some jurisdictions and refusal in others.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on code revisions, address perceived safety concerns, and open a channel for feedback and additional requests for information.

Late 2011; the A17 Escalator and Moving Walk Committee unanimously approved revisions to sections 6.1.6.9.2 and 6.2.6.8.2 and the creation of 6.1.6.9.3 and 6.2.6.8.3.   These changes specifically permit handrail signs or graphics on escalators and moving walks providing that they do not distract, impede passenger flow, or impair the operation of safety devices.  At their May 9 2012 meeting, the A17 Standards Committee approved these revisions for publication in A7.1 – 2013.

The benefits of simple motion indicators on handrails have been widely known for decades; they provide better visual cues of speed and direction of travel for escalator passengers, especially for children and the elderly.  With today’s evolved print technology it is now possible to provide handrail motion indicators in full-color and in high-resolution; resulting in opportunities to convey safety, directional, or other information to the riding public in a tactile and interactive way.

In a world where we are bombarded with distractions handrail signs and graphics direct passenger focus to the escalator; improving the frequency of handrail holding and of natural steps both on & off the escalator.

Pilot installations on four escalators in the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority demonstrated how handrail signage can be used to positively reinforce the mandatory Caution Signage required in 6.1.6.9.1/ 6.2.6.8.1. and to further mitigate accident risks.

There are presently two types of handrail signs and graphics; one designed to be changed regularly on-site, the other a permanent addition to the handrail.   Both have undergone rigorous testing in aggressive laboratory environments and with extensive world-wide field installations.

Temporary installations are accomplished with the addition of a durable composite thermoplastic film; engineered specifically for field-application to escalator and moving walk handrails.   Stringent procedures and quality guidelines ensure that handrails must pass inspection prior to application and daily unit start-up and shut-down procedures are supplemented with additional inspection requirements.

Further information is available to all upon request and feedback based on your experiences with handrail signs and graphics is most welcome.

The cooperation of all Authorities Having Jurisdiction in granting any required variances until such time as A17.1 -2013 has been adopted is a step forward in improving Passenger Safety on Escalator and Moving Walks and is sincerely appreciated.

EHC GLOBAL Handrail Signage

For further information; please contact:

Patrick R. Bothwell  |  Director of Sales  |  EHC GLOBAL
Telephone: 1-905-447-6709
E-mail:  patrick.bothwell@drakaehc.com

Favorable UK Opinion – EHC’s Escalator Handrail Advertising Patent #1152971

On November 17, 2009, the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom (“UKIPO”) issued a non-binding opinion with respect to the UK national patent of EHC’s European patent number 1152971. Contact EHC for copies of the patent or the opinion. The opinion is an opinion of a single patent examiner and was prepared in response to a request citing specific documents submitted by a third party.

EHC wishes to emphasize that the opinion is non-binding and does not serve to invalidate the patent in the UK or any other country. In other words, EHC’s patent rights granted under European Patent No. 1152971 have not changed and EHC will continue to assert its rights against anyone who infringes them.

In any subsequent litigation, EHC would not be bound by the opinion or by any statements made during the opinion procedure. In any UK patent litigation, the claims would be subject to a more detailed and thorough analysis than in the enclosed opinion, which would include a Court hearing as well as expert evidence. The outcome of such litigation may well be different from the findings of the opinion which was rendered without the benefit of expert testimony.

The opinion was prepared in accordance with UK patent law. The application of patent law varies by country, and therefore there is no certainty that the findings in this opinion have any applicability to patents in other countries, including national parts of this European patent in other European countries.

In preparing the opinion, the role of the UKIPO examiner was to review only the specific documents provided with the request for the opinion and determine whether or not the claims of EHC’s patent are invalid because they define subject matter that is not new (“lack of novelty”) or obvious (“lack of inventive step”). Of the 30 claims of EHC’s patent, only claims 1 to 6 and 9 were challenged in the request for the opinion. Thus, it would appear that the requester implicitly acknowledged that claims 7 and 8 and 10 to 30 are valid.

The UKIPO examiner stated that claims 3, 4, 5 and 9 were valid over the prior art.

The UKIPO examiner found that claims 1 and 2 are invalid for lack of novelty, deciding that a prior art reference had disclosed the concept of a handrail having a single film layer and a layer of adhesive bonding the film layer to the handrail, and includes printed matter on top or underneath the film layer, among other things. The UKIPO examiner also found that claim 6 is invalid for lack of inventive step, deciding that the concept of providing a film with a solid colour or a repeated pattern is not inventive when applied to a single film. EHC does not agree with the opinion and will continue to assert its patent rights.

The claims of a patent define the scope of the subject matter that is protected. Claim 3, which the opinion deems to be both novel and inventive over the prior art, depends on claim 1. This means that claim 3 incorporates all of the limitations of claim 1, but further specifies that there is a second film layer and a second layer of adhesive bonding the second film layer on top of the first film layer. Thus, claim 3 grants to EHC the exclusive rights to a handrail having a first film layer and a layer of adhesive bonding the film layer to the handrail, printed matter on top of or underneath the first film layer, and a second film layer and a second layer of adhesive bonding the second film layer on top of the first film layer.

Overall, EHC regards the results of the opinion to be positive.

The majority of the prior art reviewed by the UKIPO examiner had not been reviewed by the European Patent Office during the pre-grant examination of the patent, and is assumed to be the most relevant prior art known to the requester.

Nonetheless, the majority of the claims were held to be valid especially those critical to the preferable means for commercialisation of the invention.

However, EHC is currently considering its options with respect to appealing the opinion.

EHC takes intellectual property rights seriously. EHC is committed to protecting its innovation in Europe and around the world, and will continue to aggressively pursue any encroachment of its patent rights.

ADRail™ Escalator Handrail Advertising Now Available In The Netherlands

EHC Global, the world’s largest escalator handrail manufacturer is pleased to announce that they have signed an exclusive licensing agreement with AdOnsite to sell their patented escalator handrail advertising technology (ADRail™) throughout the Netherlands.

The partnership was announced during MARCOM where ADRail was introduced to hundreds of prospective Dutch advertisers. With the current economic climate, property owners are looking for new revenue opportunities and advertisers are looking to focus their advertising dollars on new media, especially near, or at the point of purchase. ADRail meets all of those needs as escalators are located in high traffic locations – shopping malls, airports, transits and convention centres.

EHC Global developed and Patented (EP1152971 – granted September 1, 2004) a specialized pressure sensitive adhesive film, using 4-coulor process digital printing, that can be applied to existing escalator handrails by AdOnsite.

Over the past 12 months, EHC Global has established a number of ADRail™ licensing agreements around the world including: USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Israel, China, and Japan.

“We are pleased to have another major European market available for advertisers to capitalize on the significant brand recall that ADRail™ offers. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs know a good business opportunity when they see it, and are getting in line to distribute ADRail™” said Jeno Eppel, EHC President.

“EHC holds over 20 worldwide patents for advertising on escalator handrails. With more than 400,000 escalators in the world, we continuously review applications by companies who want to acquire a successful turn-key operation. AdOnsite is a great partner for EHC in the Netherlands – they have a loyal customer base and a desire to introduce innovative advertising mediums to them.”

EHC Establishes Licensing Agreement With H&W In Austria

EHC has signed its sixth licensing agreement in Europe, expanding its products and services into Austria. H&W will distribute escalator handrails and other related products within Austria. Further to this, they have been fully certified by EHC to carry out field splicing of escalator handrails in this territory.

EHC has an extensive licensing and distributorship program and has been instrumental in EHC’s growth over the past decade. “H&W is an ideal partner, they have been in the industry for 20 years and have an established customer base. EHC and H&W represents a strong team, which will offer the Austrian escalator handrail market with quality handrails and superior service” said Jörg Nyssen, General Manager Sales and Service for EHC’s Central Region operations.

In addition to the manufacturing facility in Germany, EHC services the entire European and Middle Eastern market through its licensees and distributors. The EHC group of companies and their partners supply elevator and escalator rollers, escalator safety brushes, escalator handrails and handrail splicing services.

US Patent # 7108905 Granted – Film For Applying To Escalator Handrails

EHC (Escalator Handrail Company – founded by Ronald H. Ball) has been granted Patent #7108905 for displaying ads, graphics and messages onto a film (pressure sensitive adhesive) for escalator handrails.

Application Date: April 22, 2002 and granted on September 19, 2006