Can Elevator Modernization Be Cost-Efficient?
Exploring Where the Biggest Savings Are Hidden

The first and most important principle of cost optimization is universal across all industries: buy with as few intermediaries as possible. In the elevator industry, this principle is particularly significant, especially in the context of the two most expensive elements of any modernization: electronics and software.

Most companies in the market operate in what can be called an "assembly" model. This involves importing ready-made, closed components (controllers, inverters, control boards, displays) from foreign manufacturers and assembling them into one control system. In this model, every company on the path from the real manufacturer to the end customer acts as an intermediary – they must add their markup to earn a profit. As a result, the end customer pays not only for the technology itself, but also for the entire distribution chain.

The alternative is to work with a company that is a true manufacturer – one that designs and creates technology from scratch in-house. This business model eliminates unnecessary markups on key, most expensive components. By choosing a supplier who is both the author of the software and the manufacturer of the electronics, you gain not only greater flexibility, but above all access to technology without the "intermediary tax".

The greatest savings are born at the planning stage. Before any quote is prepared, a conversation with experts who are thoroughly familiar with available market technologies and custom solutions is crucial.

An experienced engineer can identify possibilities that even seasoned maintenance professionals are often unaware of. Can the existing traveling cable or part of the electrical installation be reused? Can an old, robust hoist be modernized for a fraction of the cost of a new one? Is there a way to fit into existing mounting holes to avoid costly construction work? Can the existing old encoder be utilized?

Answers to these questions can reduce the cost of the entire investment by tens of percentage points. That's why it's always worth starting modernization with a conversation – it costs nothing and may prove to be the most profitable step in the entire process.

Once you've chosen a technology partner, it's time for concrete decisions. Below is a list of proven methods for significantly reducing modernization costs, which are always worth asking about at the design stage.

Utilizing Existing Infrastructure:

• Electrical Installation: It's always worth commissioning an expert assessment of existing wiring. Often the technical condition of the shaft installation and traveling cable allows for their continued use, eliminating time-consuming and costly work.
• Control Cabinet Housing: Instead of replacing the entire cabinet, a new, complete control board can be installed in the existing housing. This reduces costs and sometimes also avoids construction work related to machine room adaptation.
• Peripheral Components: A flexible, programmable, modern control system should be able to integrate with existing, functional components. It's worth verifying whether it's possible to connect to the existing door drive, encoder, or access control system to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Smart Modernization, Not Costly Replacement:

• Hoist: Instead of automatically assuming costly replacement, it's worth talking to experts about a dedicated, specialized modernization kit. Companies with their own research and development facilities often develop proprietary solutions that can restore an old, solid hoist to full performance and safety for a fraction of the cost of a new device.
• Emergency Lowering: Mandatory emergency lowering systems can be a significant cost, but intelligent alternatives exist here too. The key is to seek suppliers whose research facilities have enabled them to develop their own, cost-optimized solutions that meet all standards without breaking the budget.
• Inverters: The price range for inverters is wide, and this is one of the areas where the greatest savings can be generated. Many companies avoid drive modernization due to concerns about incompatibility with old hoists. Or they consider such an operation while sticking to expensive, established patterns and specific inverter models. However, knowledge and experience in drive engineering most often allow for the selection of an alternative inverter, cheaper even by tens of percentage points. The key to success is perfect parameter tuning and advanced inverter configuration, which can give the elevator a "second youth" – previously unattainable ride quality, smoothness, and reliability for years to come.

Flexible Cooperation:

• Division of Work: It's also worth asking potential suppliers about flexibility in the cooperation model. Is there a possibility of dividing the work? It sometimes happens that an installation company, having detailed guidelines from the equipment manufacturer, can independently perform part of the work, directly reducing the final service cost.
• Transparency of Future Maintenance Costs: The true cost of modernization also includes the price of future spare parts. Working with a local manufacturer ensures constant and fast access to all components at predictable, established prices – an argument worth considering.

Would you believe that by applying the above principles, it's often possible to comprehensively modernize an entire elevator control system at a price comparable to replacing just the inverter from an international corporation?

This is not magic, but the effect of synergy: choosing a manufacturer, expert planning, and intelligent decisions at every stage of work. Cost-efficient modernization is not about seeking the cheapest components, but about eliminating unnecessary, senseless costs.

Would you like to find out what savings are hidden in your project?