Counterweight · the elevator & escalator briefing

Original reporting

The pieces we wrote ourselves. Most of them ran first as the lead story in the newsletter.

Article September 13, 2026

Six years, one industry, a lot fewer owners

Since 2020 the trade's ownership has changed from the top down: thyssenkrupp's elevator arm sold to private equity, Otis spun out, Fujitec taken private, and KONE now buying TK Elevator. Underneath, private equity bought up the independents, the parts makers they depend on, and the firms that inspect everyone's work.

Lead story, Issue #8

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Guide August 13, 2026

Alberta refused a code edition, and two editions of change now land on one day

Alberta turned down the 2022 elevator code, so the 2019 edition stays in force. Every edition the province has adopted, and when, with the documents linked.

Lead story, Issue #6

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Guide July 30, 2026

BC's elevator code adoption timeline

Every edition of the elevator and escalator code British Columbia has adopted, when each became law, and which one governs work in the province today.

Lead story, Issue #5

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Article June 14, 2026

One trade, three rulebooks: how mechanic recertification differs across BC, Ontario & the U.S.

A mechanic in Vancouver, Toronto and Boston does the same work, but staying licensed looks nothing alike. BC's three-year cycle, Ontario's birthday renewal, and the US patchwork with no national licence.

Lead story, Issue #2

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Article June 6, 2026

Inside IUEC Local 82's hard road to a first contract at Richmond Elevator

How the workers at BC's largest independent elevator company organized, and the long road to a first contract.

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