Community Outreach – Draka EHC

COVID-19 Preparedness and Business Continuation Update

EHC Global Production Facilities and Supply Chain Operations Remain Open and Ready to Serve Customers

To Our Valued Customers in North America,

As EHC Global (EHC) continues to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we remained committed to maintaining of all essential functions that are critical to the operation of our business as well as the support and services we provide to our customers.

Our COVID-19 Response Management Teams around the world meet regularly to review developments, monitor guidance and best practices, review the status of our preparations and consider any required adjustments to our production plans and policies. We are also making decisions based on recommendations and instructions provided by local, regional and national authorities.

Production & Supply Chain Operations

Our production facilities in China, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Spain and France continue to operate and fulfil customer orders for handrails, rollers, safety brushes and other lift components. Our global Supply Chain team is working hard to ensure that we have the necessary materials and supplies on hand to meet our immediate and future production requirements.

Field Services

Our team will be contacting all customers with whom we have booked and confirmed handrail field splicing projects on an individual basis to mutually agree upon the best way to move forward.

Sales & Customer Support

Our dedicated sales and support teams are able to continue to serve your needs regardless of their location and we have invested in underlying technology platforms and solutions that are reliable and secure.

Handrail Sterilization and Antimicrobial Solutions

We continue to accelerate the commercial launch of our LED UV-C Handrail Sterilization Module and is in the final stages of UL certification. Additionally, NT AMRail handrail is also available to your customers to enhance passenger safety and provide an added level of protection to passengers on escalators and moving walks. NT AMRail combined with the UV-C Handrail Sterilization Module offers a two-pronged solution, identifying to riders that the handrail surface is protected.

We hope this information is helpful and will provide guidance in your ongoing interactions with EHC and its team members. Your cooperation and understanding is greatly appreciated and we will continue to provide you with updates on a regular basis.

Regards,

Jeff Coles

Managing Director, North America

EHC Global Business Continuity Notification – North America (Canada & USA)

To Our Valued Customers and External Stakeholders in North America,

EHC Global (EHC) is actively monitoring the outbreak and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is taking action to help reduce and contain the spread of COVID-19, while managing the potential safety risks created by a disruption in EHC operations. We are committed to the continuation of all essential functions that are critical to the operation of our business as well as the support and services we provide to our customers and external stakeholders.

We have a COVID-19 Response Management Team in place to monitor the evolving situation, access expert advice and guide our planning and decision-making process. The team meets regularly to review developments, monitor guidance and best practices, review the status of our preparations and consider any required adjustments to our plans and policies. We are also making decisions based on recommendations and instructions provided by local, regional and national authorities.

Where possible, our sales and support teams are able to continue to serve your needs regardless of their location and we have invested in underlying technology platforms and solutions that are reliable and secure. We have implemented the following measures to ensure the health and well-being of our employees, customers, other external stakeholders, and the communities we live and work in:

Employees that experience cold or flu-like symptoms are asked to stay home and we request that our vendors, customers, and visitors do the same.
Extension of our existing work-from-home policies for all personnel.
We have educated and informed our employees regarding the symptoms and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Cleaning procedures have been enhanced in our offices as follows:
- Wiping door handles, keypads and surfaces with disinfecting wipes multiple times per day.
- Adding additional hand sanitizing solutions throughout all of our offices.
All employees working in offices must work at distances of at least 2 metres from each other.
Ongoing communication with our customers and vendors relating to their response and capabilities during this period.
Depending on the severity of the situation, we will implement plans for office staff and service and installation personnel to minimize the risk of exposure and spreading any infection.

Temporary Travel Restrictions

In accordance with national and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations relating to restricted air travel, and in the interest of the health and safety of our employees and external stakeholders, EHC has enacted temporary travel restrictions for all our staff. Until further notice, travel by public means, including air, rail, and public transit, is strictly prohibited.

Our team will be contacting all customers with whom we have booked and confirmed field splicing projects on an individual basis to mutually agree upon the best way to move forward.

We hope this information is helpful and will provide guidance in your ongoing interactions with EHC and its team members. Your cooperation and understanding is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Jeff Coles
Managing Director, North America

EHC Global Business Continuity Notification – Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)

To Our Valued Customers and External Stakeholders in Europe, Middle East & Africa,

EHC Global (EHC) is actively monitoring the outbreak and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are committed to the continuation of all essential functions that are critical to the operation of our business as well as the support and services we provide to our customers and external stakeholders. Accordingly, we are currently taking and will continue to take precautions in line with local and national authorities.

Going forward, we will implement additional measures as necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our employees, customers, and other external stakeholders.

EHC has enacted the following policies and processes:

Employees that experience cold or flu-like symptoms are asked to stay home and we request that our vendors, customers, and visitors do the same.
Extension of our existing work-from-home policies for all personnel.
We have educated and informed our employees regarding the symptoms and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Cleaning procedures have been enhanced in our offices as follows:
- Wiping door handles, keypads and surfaces with disinfecting wipes multiple times per day.
- Adding additional hand sanitizing solutions throughout all of our offices.
All employees working in offices must work at distances of at least 2 metres from each other.
Ongoing communication with our customers and vendors relating to their response and capabilities during this period.
Depending on the severity of the situation, we will implement plans for office staff and service and installation personnel to minimize the risk of exposure and spreading any infection.

Temporary Travel Restrictions
In accordance with national and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations relating to restricted air travel, and in the interest of the health and safety of our employees and external stakeholders, EHC has enacted temporary travel restrictions for all our staff. Until further notice, travel by public means, including air, rail, and public transit, is strictly prohibited.

EHC field personnel from Spain and the Czech Republic have been repatriated to their respective home countries and will remain there until further notice.

Our team will be contacting all customers with whom we have booked and confirmed installation projects on an individual basis to mutually agree upon the best way to move forward.

We hope this information is helpful and will provide guidance in your ongoing interactions with EHC and its team members. Your cooperation and understanding is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Norman Rosnersky
Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
EHC Global

EHC Hosts International Innovation Summit

On June 21st, EHC headquarters in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada hosted International Marketing Consultants from the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. The visit was part of an Innovation Summit put on by the City of Oshawa. The visiting marketing consultants came from across the globe, including Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Munich, New Delhi, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

The tour showcased EHC’s industry-leading innovation and manufacturing expertise. The consultants were given a firsthand view of the stark contrast between the manufacturing methods of a conventional rubber type escalator handrail and EHC’s innovative thermoplastic urethane handrail – NT. In particular, the consultants were interested in all the eco-friendly aspects of NT and the ability to apply custom messages to the handrail. Both of these features are only possible with NT handrails – not rubber handrails – since NT can be recycled and manufactured into any custom colour.

As quoted by Jeno Eppel, President of EHC Global: “NT handrails are truly an innovation in the escalator industry. For decades they have been made from black rubber – like car tires. Imagine if one day you could obtain pink thermoplastic tires for your car. EHC has made it possible for building owners to specify pink handrails for their escalators.” EHC recently supplied 13,000m of custom pink handrails for the Chongqing Subway.

EHC Global Supports Japanese Partners After 9.0 Magnitude Earthquake

The devastation of last week’s magnitude 9.0 earthquakes and resulting tsunami in Japan have brought with it challenges related to NT handrail supply, namely a disruption in our partner’s ability to supply in Japan. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the people residing in Japan along with our support for a speedy return to normalcy”, says Jeno Eppel, President.

EHC Global is proud to be partnered with Hitachi Cable and Tohoku Rubber in Japan for the manufacture and supply of NT handrails for the Japanese market. It is our highest priority to support Hitachi Cable and Tohoku Rubber by working together to develop an immediate and long-term solution to resume operations to the Japan market. It is during challenging times such as this that EHC’s officially licensed partner, Hitachi Cable and Tohoku Rubber, are counting on our moral and contractual responsibility to assist with their recovery efforts.

Handrail inventory allocations for Japan are being monitored closely and distribution is being coordinated through Hitachi Cable and Tohoku Rubber.

During such a massive recovery effort the continuity of business and the supply chain is not only critical but necessary over the long-haul. It is for this reason we ask that everyone looking to procure handrails for Japan in this time of need refrain from contacting any other EHC facilities for direct supply of handrail products to Japan.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Japan and work together with Hitachi Cable and Tohoku Rubber on a full recovery plan for the Japanese market. In doing so EHC is confident that we can support and service the Japan market during this recovery while continuing to meet all the needs of our other customers and partners globally.

We would ask all of our loyal customers world-wide to work with us as we help Japan respond to this crisis and encourage all to share with us their expected needs moving forward on a regular basis over the several months.

EHC Shanghai Donates 4,000 RMB to ‘Free the Children’

The re-build effort for the Chinese province of Sichuan hit with a devastating earthquake last year is on-going. Financial support from fund-raising activities such as the recent ‘Maple Leaf Dance for Dreams’ hosted by the Canadian Chamber of
Commerce in Shanghai is a major reason progress continues.

EHC feels strongly about this cause, by not only donating 4,000 rmb towards the reconstruction of the area this year, but by also being a contributor to the relief operations when the earthquake first hit, last year.

The 65,000+ rmb raised will go specifically to Free the Children’s efforts in building an elementary school in A Luo, Sichuan. In keeping with the school theme and attempting to recuperate as much of the materials purchased as possible, school supplies wereused as decorations and table pieces. The entrance back drop was made up of two big blackboards used to announce the participating sponsors. These blackboards, decorations, and table pieces all looked great for the dance and are actually a part of the donation process being delivered to the Sichuan school next November.

A musical chair competition, the Macarena, and a live band were some of the activities throughout the evening. One of the highlights being the CANCHAM Director’s version of the Chicken Dance definitely made for a memorable night of goodwill! EHC Shanghai is pleased to be a part of such a worthy cause falling in line with one of our Mission Statements: Helping to Make the World a Better
Place.

Escalator Safety Brush Promotion Raises Funds For EESF

For the past 18 years the EESF (Elevator & Escalator Safety Foundation) has been educating children, senior citizens and the general public with its safety messages. Each year this non-profit organization seeks the assistance of individuals, schools, groups and corporations to fulfill its vision of ‘educating the public on the safe and proper use of elevators, escalators and moving walks through informational programs.’

Last September, EHC Global announced to its customers that for each Escalator Safety Brush kit purchased, $10.00 USD would be donated to the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation to help support their programs. EHC safety brushes are specially designed to reduce accidents caused by side-step entrapments.

The promotion took place during the last quarter of 2008 and thanks to EHC customers, US$2,860 will be donated this month.

The EESF is seeking to further spread its message on safety as thousands of passengers are still being injured each year. In 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that 11,000 people were injured on escalators across the US and side-step entrapments were one of the major causes of injuries.

Commenting on the initiative was Monica Stoer, General Manager Sales & Marketing – The Americas

“EHC has been a longstanding supporter of EESF financially but also through volunteer work. This year we took a different approach because we wanted our customers to know that they are also contributing, through us, to the safety and wellbeing of families when they buy our escalator safety brushes.”

EHC Global Playing Its Part To Reduce Hunger In Canada

It is said that five million (or one of every six people) in Canada, lives in poverty. The Canadian Medical Association Journal reported, from a study done some years ago, that single parent families were identified as one of the most pronounced groups affected by hunger.

EHC Global has been doing its part for the past six years, to reduce the number of persons who experience day-to-day hunger, by donating literally tons of food to various charitable organizations. This year is no exception. The staff of this global escalator components manufacturing company gave 2,626 pounds of food as well as a large quantity of clothing and household items. This year’s beneficiary was Denise House, an emergency shelter for abused women and their children.

Coordinator of the Food Drive, Yolanda Sabadin said “I would just like to thank everyone who helped… whether it was in the area of donations, packing or transporting the items, without everyone it would not have happened.”

Since its inception, the Food Drive has contributed over 12 tons of food. President of the company, Jeno Eppel, says he is “pleased to see the dedication shown each year to this worthy social cause. A part of our vision, as a global company, is to contribute towards making our world a better place.”

12 Tons Of Food And Counting

For the past week EHC has more resembled a small supermarket warehouse, than an escalator handrail manufacturing facility. That’s because the staff of EHC have raised 2 and a half tons of food for their Annual Food Drive. This year’s recipient is St. Vincent’s Kitchen.

The Food Drive was started 5 years ago by EHC employees to assist local residents. In the five years that EHC Global has been participating, the company has raised a total of 23, 864 lbs of food. This year the company will need about 8 skids to transport the food. Discount Truck Rentals has happily donated their services.

“This year we raised 5,082 pounds, which is an average of 50lbs per employee” reported Yolanda Sabadin, EHC Food Drive Coordinator. Jeno Eppel, President, EHC Global praised employees, “I’m proud that our staff put their hearts into such a great cause, it truly reflects our mission of helping to make the world a better place.”

It is inspiring to know that in a world where some businesses have not been taking their social responsibilities seriously, there are still corporate entities that understand the principle of strong communities make strong nations and economies.

EHC Hosts Training Session For Durham College Escalator Technician Apprentices

EHC’s head office in Oshawa, Canada, recently hosted the elevator / escalator apprentices from Durham College to conduct training on escalator handrails and safety brushes. The apprentice program at Durham College has about 19 students enrolled this year.

EHC provided the students with training on various aspects of escalator handrail production, installation techniques (endless vs. field splicing), proper set up on the escalator, maintenance, and troubleshooting. A review of EHC’s D-Flector escalator safety brush and installation was included in the training to discuss how the product aids in the prevention of side step entrapment accidents.

The joint effort between EHC and Durham College was coordinated by EHC’s Monica Stoer Account Manager and David Ball, Service Manager. They arranged for the apprentices to have a tour of EHC’s manufacturing facility so that the apprentices could compare and contrast conventional rubber handrail production to EHC’s state-of-the-art production of their patented NT handrails – made from a thermoplastic elastomer. During this tour, the students also learned about EHC’s ACCENT initiatives such as the unlimited custom colour options of the ColourRail product line – colours that are not available with rubber handrails.

EHC and Durham College hope to continue this collaborative effort on an annual basis.

EHC Raises 5,244 Pounds For Oshawa Food Drive

EHC is pleased to announce that their Oshawa staff have raised more than 5,200 pounds of food for the 2003 Durham Regional Police Food & Toy Drive.

EHC would like to extend a challenge to other Durham Region companies to beat our average of 65 pounds of food per employee. “We more than doubled our previous record – 2400 pounds, and are certain next year we can exceed this year’s total weight. I would personally like to challenge other local companies to beat this amount this year and in 2004” said Jeno Eppel. Next year, we expect to raise more than 5600 pounds and hope that local companies use this number to benchmark their goals for the 2004 food drive.

Every department from EHC’s Corporate Head Office competed against one another, including Manufacturing, Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, IT, Accounting, Maintenance and Technical staff. The winning team raised an average of 159 pounds per person. The winning team consisted of staff from EHC’s logistics department: Duane Cook, Wendy Stevens, Paul Cormack, Lori Morrow, Shawn Silver, and Stan Szmyr.