Powering Progress: Loop Technologies and Powerglide redefine elevator control solutions
Powerglide is an elevator manufacturing company which delivers high-end quality products to both residential and commercial clients. Having manufactured elevators for the last 20 years, over the last eight years they have witnessed substantial growth from a team of five to approximately 25.
Mark Findlay, the General Manager of Powerglide, shares, “Reliability and safety are huge components of lifts. Ensuring our processes are robust, with depth in safety and risk analysis, is one of our key requirements.”
In 2019 Powerglide sought to develop a new controller for their elevators, with the aim of providing an expanding set of services and benefits for their customers.
The relationship between Powerglide and Loop Technologies was initially forged through Powerglide CFO Julian So, who had industry connections with Loop. Powerglide chose Loop Technologies as their sole supplier for the elevator controller project without hesitation, Mark Findlay elaborates, “It was easy; they were professional and genuinely sought to understand our needs and see if they could fulfill them. Their transparency about their capabilities was reassuring.”
Powerglide’s goals for the elevator controller project were ambitious yet crucial for their growth and customer satisfaction. They sought a new controller with flexibility, capable of expanding their services and accommodating future demands. Additionally, Powerglide desired a supplier who could meet their growing production volumes and allow them to retain ownership of the intellectual property developed for their lift control system.
Loop Technologies demonstrated their ability to deliver precisely what Powerglide required. They meticulously mapped out the system requirements from scratch, ensuring a custom solution that met Powerglide’s needs and allowed seamless transition to production runs.
The partnership between Loop Technologies and Powerglide faced its share of challenges. The year 2020 brought the onset of the COVID pandemic, leading to lockdowns and worldwide component shortages.
The team at Loop Technologies took up the challenge, diligently searching the globe for the electronics required to manufacture the controllers. Mark shares, “Loop’s dedication during this time was admirable, especially Karen van Driel, she would wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning to purchase components as soon as they became available.”
Despite the hurdles, Loop Technologies kept Powerglide informed throughout the process, promptly addressing unexpected issues to ensure a positive experience. Mark adds, “Loop’s commitment and problem-solving abilities were reassuring, especially during the initial testing phase. We have a great working relationship with their team, including John, Steven, Roger, Glenn, Colin and Karen – we know them and they know us.”
Powerglide’s journey with Loop Technologies highlighted what sets them apart from other suppliers. Their commitment to thoroughness and refusal to take shortcuts made a lasting impression on Powerglide. “They slowed us down to ensure we worked through the process properly. Their guidance was critical since we had no prior experience in developing something like this,” states Mark.
Mark describes the experience of working with Roger and the Loop Technologies team as seamless and stress-free. “They guided us through each stage, ensuring we were ready to move forward. Their team is composed of good, easy people to deal with. We haven’t encountered many stressful moments throughout the project.”
To companies seeking Loop Technologies’ technical expertise, Mark offers a straightforward recommendation: “You won’t be disappointed, just give them a call.”
Loop Technologies’ custom designed electronics system which now runs Powerglide’s elevators has enabled scalability and continuous improvement for the company. To support future features and services, the controller was developed to be compatible with Cognetex, Loop Technologies’ IoT platform.
The partnership continues, watch this space….
For more information on Powerglide Elevators visit their website:
https://www.powerglide.co.nz/
