MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schindler Elevator Corporation, North America’s leading escalator supplier, observed the 25th anniversary of its Clinton, NC escalator manufacturing facility with an employee celebration last week. With approximately 150 employees, the facility comprises both a 38,000 square foot escalator step facility and a 155,000 square foot escalator assembly plant.
Today, the Schindler 9300® AE and Schindler 9700® heavy duty transit escalators as well as the Schindler 9500® moving walks are manufactured at the facility for distribution to the North and South American markets. Schindler’s Clinton plant is the largest U.S. escalator factory in terms of annual output and is committed to sustainability by manufacturing energy saving escalators and moving walks.
Through the years
Within a short time of opening the plant in 1990, full production exceeded expectations, thanks largely to highly successful apprenticeship and training programs, as well as outstanding employee performance and commitment to quality and customer service. In 1996, the plant was named one of America’s 10 Best Plants by IndustryWeek magazine.
In 1997, the original plant was expanded by 30,000 square feet to improve productivity and make way for the planned production of Schindler 9500 moving walks which were first shipped from the facility in May of 2000. A test tower of 5,000 square feet was added in 2000. The current Clinton complex consists of two manufacturing plants: the escalator manufacturing plant and an escalator step facility.
Escalators and moving walks produced in Clinton are currently in operation throughout North and South America.
Schindler Elevator Corporation was the first elevator and escalator company in North America to achieve an ISO 9001 certification. Since then, Schindler has reinforced its commitment to quality and sustainability through its ISO 9001:2000 for Quality Management certification and ISO 14001:1996 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications and renewals to the Environmental Management System standard. These certifications confirm the company’s dedication to continual improvement, compliance with legal and other requirements, pollution prevention, fostering of open communication, training of employees and working with its suppliers to achieve mutually agreeable solutions that limit environmental impact.
“Over the past 25 years, the Clinton plant has emerged from just a vision to the largest escalator manufacturing facility in North America,” said Chuck Spell, managing director, Clinton. “The consistently high productivity and performance have made a significant contribution to Schindler’s successful leadership position in the escalator marketplace.”
Committed to Sustainability
Schindler’s commitment to sustainability reaches across its product portfolio of systems to offer the latest energy-efficient solutions available.
- The Schindler 9500 moving walk and the Schindler 9300AE and Schindler 9700 escalators utilize standard high efficiency motors and variable frequency drives.
- Optional intermittent operation of features save over half of the total energy usage of the machines by operating at crawl speed when there is no passenger on the equipment.
- Schindler escalators also have the option to be installed with energy regenerative drives.
- Escalator packaging material is recyclable.
- Low mercury high efficiency compact fluorescent lighting is used.
- Water-based paints and powder coating are used to limit the emission of volatile organics into the environment.
- An oil pan is installed on the bottom of the truss at the factory to prevent any type of oil from reaching the floor or the environment.
Training and Development
Since its very beginning, the Clinton plant has actively supported vocational and technical training programs in the community. The plant was among the first in the region to establish a formal apprenticeship program, providing both on-the-job experience and training programs in trades such as welding, tool-and die-making, and mechanical specialties. In conjunction with nearby Sampson Community College, and under the supervision of the North Carolina Department of Labor, Schindler has supported three- and four-year apprenticeship programs that have led to journeyman certifications in eight key trade and disciplines.
About Schindler Elevator Corporation
Schindler Elevator Corporation is the North American operation of the Switzerland-based Schindler Group, a leading global mobility provider with approximately 54,000 employees operating in more than 100 countries. Schindler supports sustainable urban development with safe, reliable and ecologically sound mobility solutions and its equipment moves one billion people every day all over the world - See more at: www.us.schindler.com.
