Awards – Draka EHC

EHC Global Receives 2019 Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® Great Employers Award

January 13, 2020 (Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of components, services and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry, is pleased to announce that it has been named a 2019 Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® Great Employer by Excellence Canada and Canada Life.

Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® is celebrated every October and was established over 20 years ago by Excellence Canada, an independent, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to advancing organizational excellence across Canada. The Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® Great Employer award recognizes organizations across the country for their planning and actions to foster physically and psychologically safe and healthy workplaces, striving to continually improve across four main areas of focus, namely: Healthy Lifestyles; Mental Health and Workplace Culture; Physical Environment, and; Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We are honoured to receive this award as it recognizes EHC’s longstanding commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and healthy workplace environments worldwide where employees feel they are valued and can pursue their self-betterment and aspirations,” stated Melissa Mitchell, EHC’s Director, Human Resources. “Congratulations to our corporate Human Resources team and our local HR departments and employee committees for their leadership in developing and implementing many highly successful health and wellness programs and engaging initiatives throughout the year. Maintaining a healthy workplace environment is a key contributor to EHC’s ability to recruit and retain top talent that are focused on manufacturing and providing high-quality products and services that are a reflection of excellence and help to make the world a better place.”

About EHC Global Inc.

Established in 1977, EHC Global Inc. (EHC) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of handrails, rollers, safety brushes, elevator belts, strategic components, and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry. EHC also provides a comprehensive range of technical services to OEMs including field-splicing, Service+, project management and assembly, installation, removal, and modernization of escalators and moving walks. Each day, EHC helps millions of people all over the world move safely and comfortably in public transit systems, airports, office buildings, convention centers, shopping centers, hospitals, condominiums, and other urban 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, Turkey, 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. Calderón
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@staging.drakaehc.com

EHC Global Founder Ronald Ball Receives Prestigious 2018 Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2018 (Shanghai, China and Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of components and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry, is pleased to announce that Ronald Ball, founder of EHC, has received the prestigious 2018 Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award in recognition of his many contributions to the City of Shanghai over the past two decades. The awards were presented to fifty foreign individuals representing nineteen countries in an official ceremony held on September 12 in Shanghai with many government officials, business leaders, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

First presented by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government in 1989 and named after the City’s official flower, The Magnolia Silver Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a foreigner by the Shanghai government. The award is given annually to expatriates in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to the City of Shanghai in fields such as economy and trade, finance, education, science, technology, health and culture. To date, 1158 individuals have received this award.

“I am honoured and grateful to receive the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award and am delighted to share this award with the EHC staff and family in recognition of their commitment, passion and relentless determination,” Mr. Ball said. “I am very proud to call Shanghai home for more than twenty years and am humbled to be one of approximately fifty Canadians to have been bestowed this prestigious award.”

Mr. Ball founded Escalator Handrail Company, now EHC Global, in 1977 with only two employees in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Within five years, EHC would become a dominant handrail supplier in the North American lift industry. Building on this success and equipped with new technology and production capacity, EHC focused its efforts on globalization and establishing manufacturing and supply chain capabilities strategically located in close proximity to leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

By the early 1990s, EHC began looking at setting up manufacturing in Europe. Jeno Eppel (now EHC President and Chief Executive Officer) and his wife, Diane, moved to Baesweiler, Germany, to launch European production. Since that time, EHC’s European operations have grown to include manufacturing, distribution and installation facilities in France and Spain.

At around the same time, two of the world’s largest escalator manufacturers had started to realize some significant success in China and were followed soon after by other OEMs with expansion plans of their own. Taking notice of China’s increasingly significant role in international trade, manufacturing and the shift of production of escalators and elevators to Asia, Mr. Ball moved to China in 1996 to set up a handrail manufacturing plant in Shanghai, which would grow to become one of the largest integrated handrail manufacturing operations in the world.

In the company’s 20 years in China, EHC has diversified and introduced additional products. Its Engineered Polymers division opened in 2005 in Shanghai, producing polyurethane rollers for the lift, automotive and agricultural industries. In 2014, EHC’s Shanghai High Tech Center began manufacturing composite belts for elevators, enhancing EHC’s materials and processing capabilities. Today, EHC operates two manufacturing plants in Shanghai and employs over 300 people. Mr. Ball continues to reside in Shanghai and is frequently asked to share his insights and success story with industry associations, government, business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Last October, Mr. Ball received the prestigious Governor General’s Medallion from the Canadian Government in recognition of his many contributions to international trade and for his efforts in fostering a strong relationship between Canada and China. He is a long-time member of The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Manufacturers’ Business Council. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson Polytechnical University in Toronto and attended Durham College in Oshawa, Canada. In 2016, EHC Global established the Ronald H. Ball Family Scholarship at Durham College in recognition of EHC’s long-standing relationship with the institution. This annual scholarship is based on academic performance and is granted to a student in Durham College’s School of Business, IT and Management.

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 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@staging.drakaehc.com

Ron Ball – EHC High Tech Center, Shanghai

EHC Global Founder Ron Ball Awarded Prestigious Governor General’s Medallion by Canadian Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor General’s Medallion recognizes Ron Ball’s contribution to international trade and fostering a strengthened relationship between Canada and China

June 21, 2018 (Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of components and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry, is pleased to announce that Ron Ball, EHC’s founder, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Medallion in recognition of his successful career and achievements as well as his many contributions to international trade and the economies of both Canada and China. The Governor General’s Medallion is awarded by the Governor General of Canada, who serves as the representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Canada. The Governor General presents honours and awards to recognize excellence, valour, bravery and exceptional achievements.

“I would like to congratulate you on receiving the Governor General’s Medallion,” says The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada from 2010 to 2017. “Your work to foster a strengthened relationship between Canada and China is appreciated by so many. I appreciate the efforts taken to build a successful company in both countries, allowing our peoples to flourish economically. Thanks to your efforts and those of like-minded citizens, I have no doubt that Canada’s ties in the region will continue to grow.”

Ron Ball and his family received a special invitation from The Honourable John McCallum, Ambassador of Canada to China, to attend a luncheon at the Official Residence of the Embassy of Canada in Beijing. Ron visited the Official Residence, accompanied by his wife Olivia and daughter Alexandra, and enjoyed a formal lunch and social afternoon in the company of Ambassador McCallum, his wife Nancy Lim, and Mr. Kan. Ambassador McCallum also presented Ron with the Governor General’s Medallion on behalf of the Governor General of Canada.

Canada and China share a long-standing relationship on many levels, including political, commercial, scientific, cultural and academic. More than 1.3 million Canadian residents are of Chinese origin and over 110,000 Chinese students studied at Canadian educational institutions in 2014. Chinese is also Canada’s third most spoken language after English and French, and immigrants born in China, including Hong Kong, form one of the largest groups within Canada’s immigrant population.

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

www.ehc-global.com

john.calderon@staging.drakaehc.com

EHC Global Receives 2017 Impact Safety Award from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EHC Global Acknowledged for its Contributions to Public Safety in Ontario

December 1, 2017 (Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of components and integrated solutions to the vertical transportation industry, is pleased to announce that the company has been selected as a recipient of the 2017 Impact Safety Award by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). TSSA believes that making Ontario a safe place to work, live and play is a shared responsibility. The Impact Safety Award acknowledges organizations that have made significant contributions to public safety in Ontario that go above and beyond regulatory compliance.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from TSSA on behalf of all of EHC employees around the world,” says Jeno Eppel, President and Chief Executive Officer of EHC. “EHC Global is committed to helping to make the world a better place by developing innovative safety solutions, participating in industry groups and safety committees, and promoting best practices when it comes to proper escalator use.”

In 2016, EHC announced the global launch of NT SafeRail™ handrail solutions to the healthcare market with Durham Region-based Lakeridge Health serving as EHC’s launch customer. Escalators at Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa hospital were retrofitted with EHC’s patented NT handrail, which features permanent and vandalism-resistant safety messages to encourage safe and responsible escalator use.

“EHC’s safety designs and escalator messaging fit nicely with TSSA’s own efforts in addressing safety on escalators,” says Roger Neate, TSSA’s Director of Elevating and Amusement Devices. “While EHC has a truly global presence, their safety impact on Ontario’s riding public is more than worthy of TSSA’s Impact Safety Award. With a passion for safety and engineering excellence, EHC has firm grip on escalator safety.”

The 2017 Impact Safety Award was presented to EHC during TSSA’s annual general meeting, which was recently held in Ottawa, Ontario. EHC was also featured in TSSA’s 2017 Annual Report and profiled in a feature video produced by the TSSA (https://www.tssa.org/en/about-tssa/safety-awards.aspx).

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.

About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators, mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.

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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@staging.drakaehc.com

Video | PDF

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.

For further information; please contact:

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

Award Winning Project – St. Petersburg Metro

EHC Global is pleased to congratulate Constructor Ltd for winning the Elevator World Project of the Year 2010 in the category of Escalators, New Construction.

The award winning project was carried out at the St. Petersburg Metro (State Unitary Enterprise) Spasskaya station. The project involved having the escalators’ sizes reduced without compromising the requirements of the Regulations for the Construction and Safe Use of Escalators. Constructor had the difficult task of fitting the 4 escalators into a tunnel space that would normally accommodate only 3 traditional escalators.

The escalator handrails for this project were manufactured by EHC.

Praising the project, Norman Rosnerksy, Managing Director of EHC’s EMEA operations said, “We are extremely happy to make a contribution to the project. EHC has been manufacturing escalator handrails since 1977, but only in the last few years have we supplied the Russian market. Constructor was one of our very first customers in Russia and we certainly expect to see them win more awards in the future as they are truly innovative in the services they offer.”

EHC Awarded Number One In OTIS Quality Award

XOEC (OTIS), one of the largest elevator companies in the world, held their annual Supplier Quality Award Meeting in September. XOEC is an industry leader in innovative technology and services; their products can be found in landmark buildings worldwide.

Stanley Shao, Managing Director of EHC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd attended the ceremony which was held at their Hangzhou, China facility. The company has over 300 suppliers but on that night, only honoured four of their top suppliers, in various categories.

EHC received two awards consisting of:

1) The Quality Improvement Award: Awarded to both the corporation and individual that made the largest contribution towards attaining the very best in quality improvement. EHC was ranked Number One of seven suppliers considered

2) Q+ Level 3 Certification: The United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Q+ process is intended to assist suppliers in reaching world class quality goals through the never-ending process of continuous improvement. Q+ Level 3 is the highest level XOEC has granted to its suppliers. “It is an absolute honour to be one of only four suppliers to pass Q+ Level 3 assessment” said Jeno Eppel, President

Congratulations go out to EHC’s Quality Technician, Shen Hao, for receiving a Crystal Medal for the Individual Quality Contribution Award. XOEC offered him a three day sightseeing tour to Guilin in Southern China.

“I would like to thank our Production, Quality, and Sales Teams for their excellent efforts and contribution in delivering quality products and services this past year to our valued customer, XOEC. Our ongoing commitment has been recognized and we will continue to provide the ‘excellence’ in production and services that our customers are accustomed to.” said Stanley Shao

This recognition reaffirms EHC’s commitment to the process of ongoing improvements in order to remain strong and competitive in a constantly evolving Chinese marketplace.

Xizi Otis Presents EHC Shanghai With Best Quality Award

EHC has been awarded the distinguished ‘best product quality’ award by Xizi Otis during their annual supplier’s conference. Of the 80 major elevator and escalator component suppliers in attendance, EHC was the only escalator component supplier to win this award. Jenny Ding, Sales & Marketing Manager accepted the award on behalf of EHC Shanghai, “this means a great deal to us, because it demonstrates that Xizi Otis recognizes that EHC never sacrifices quality for cost savings, and that we are a valued supplier to them.”

In 2004, Xizi Otis received more than 10,000 orders for escalators and elevators. They are the number one plant among all Otis China operations; its newly constructed escalator plant is the largest in the world, and in November its new hi-tech OH5000 elevator was launched in China. EHC supplies Otis with both conventional rubber escalator handrails and NT, EHC’s patented thermoplastic handrail.

“Winning the Best Product Quality award for our escalator handrails is an honour – Xizi Otis is the world’s largest escalator manufacturer. This award confirms that in today’s competitive market place, customers value quality products, and reward suppliers who exceed their expectations,” said Ron Ball, founder of EHC.