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What is your role and how long have you been with the company?
I started with Manntech NA in 2013. When Alimak Group acquired Manntech and Cox Gomyl in 2017 I moved to Texas from New Jersey to help with the merger transition for the companies, technicians and systems.
I am currently the Service Support Manager. I have 4 service coordinators reporting to me (2 on the Alimak Group side and 2 from Tractel). I am also the Sales manager for the South East United States.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I have always enjoyed getting to know my clients, through emails but most importantly over the phone. The fabulous part of my sales job (which I started this past September) is getting out to visit clients. It has been great to meet people in person that I have only had a virtual relationship for years with. I find that talking to clients (in person or on the phone) is much more personal than emails. The client feels that Alimak Group cares for them, their needs with this personal touch.
What is your biggest accomplishment at work?
I had been a service coordinator for years. With the addition of Tractel to the Alimak Group family the responsibilities increased. I was promoted to Service Support Manager and hired the 2 Alimak Group service coordinators and have been working with the 2 Tractel coordinators to manage clients needs, scheduling of services, invoicing, etc. It is an ongoing job as we fully integrate the Tractel clients into the Alimak Group Salesforce system.
An anecdote during your tenure?
In 2019 a new Manntech BMU was installed in Houston, TX at the AIG building. It was the first time I was onsite to witness an installation of a BMU. Even more exciting because the lift was by helicopter. I was able to see all the work that is involved with knowing what parts can be lifted and the sequence to have them installed. I saw our technicians work tirelessly in the summer heat to piece the BMU together. Truly an awesome experience that not everyone in our business can be part of.
What is your role and how long have you been with the company?
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently been promoted to RRR Manager (Refurbishment, Retrofit & Replacement) after 9 years with the company!
From day one, I’ve been involved in key projects, from the design phase and factory manufacturing to installation coordination, testing, commissioning and final handover. This hands-on experience has given me a 360º perspective of projects, allowing me to understand both client expectations and factory requirements, while prioritizing lead times and key milestones to achieve project success.
What’s my favorite part of my job?
The opportunity to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that truly make a difference, not only for our clients but also for the long-term performance of our equipment. Ensuring that our systems operate safely and efficiently for years to come is something I take great pride in. I also love the dynamic nature of my role. Working across all project stages while collaborating with our local offices, clients, and factory teams allows me to see the full impact of our work. But if I had to pick a single favorite moment, it would be the commissioning phase being on-site, witnessing a project come to life, and experiencing that incredible sense of accomplishment when everything runs smoothly.
My biggest accomplishment at work
I’ve had the privilege of working on iconic projects around the world, and choosing just one as my biggest achievement is nearly impossible. Each project has been special, not only because of its scale but because of the incredible teamwork that made it happen.
Some of the projects I’m most proud to have contributed to are:
Being part of these landmark projects has not only benefited our clients and company but has also reinforced my belief that great teams build great projects.
A memorable moment from my journey
I specially remember one of my first projects, being part of Alimak Group, our team faced an unexpected technical challenge during commissioning of Seminole Hard Rock, concerned about potential delays, we all collaborated closely to quickly diagnose the issue and implement a solution on-site. Seeing the system operate flawlessly after overcoming that challenge was a testament to the power of teamwork, problem-solving, and shared expertise, the key elements behind every successful project and Alimak´s values.
Being part of Alimak Group has allowed me to grow professionally while contributing to cutting-edge solutions in the industry.
Excited for what’s ahead! Looking forward to leading key projects that extend the lifespan and enhance the performance of building access systems worldwide.
What is your role and how long have you been with the company?
I am the General Manager of Facade Access Solutions China & HSPS China. I joined the company in May 2008, and it has been an incredible journey ever since.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working in a male-dominated industry, I’ve always focused on leading my team and overcoming challenges, without letting gender define my role. The sense of achievement we share after conquering these challenges is my favorite part of the job.
With 17 years in the BMU industry, my passion for the products and brands has become second nature. My family loves to travel, and with my frequent business trips, I’ve developed a habit of looking up at skyscrapers in every city I visit. I instinctively check the brands of the BMUs installed on them. When I spot one from a brand I’ve worked with, I feel an immense sense of pride.
What is your biggest accomplishment at work?
I am incredibly proud of my stable, dedicated, and collaborative team we’ve built. Over 31.2% of the team has been with the company for more than 5 years, 10.4% for over 10 years, and 27% for more than 15 years. This longevity reflects the strong culture and commitment we’ve developed together.
Another achievement I take pride in is securing a major project in 2020 through persistence and sincerity. Despite strong competition, our commitment and expertise convinced the client to choose us, resulting in the successful installation of multiple BMUs, including a highly complex unit. To date, all 3 BMUs have been successfully installed and come into use, including the complex and largest of which weighs over 110 tons.
An anecdote during your tenure?
I started my BMU journey with Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) as a Project Manager, and it remains one of our key customers. That time SWFC was under construction, elevator access was extremely limited, and wait times were very long. To save time and increase efficiency, I often took the stairs. My personal record was climbing from B3 to the 54th floor – over 250 meters (the building stands at 492 meters). To this day, no one in the company has managed to break my record!
In the history of commercial real estate, facade access solutions grew in importance as structures grew in size. After all, maintenance on a glass exterior may be simple when the structure is only one or two stories, but as buildings grow in height, so must the access required to care for the property successfully and safely.
This same adaptable mindset applies to a building’s design, not merely its size. As your architects and contractors begin taking advantage of new tools and materials to realize ambitious structures, building façade designs must also change to ensure proper care for the finished product.
Making those alterations to facade access systems should also include developing solutions as early as possible in the building project—not to mention taking advantage of new resources that can help. When you partner with Integrated Design Services (IDS) experts from Facade Access NAM at the design stage, we can develop custom, forward-thinking facade equipment that empowers you to pursue both bold aesthetic visions and safe, efficient access for your contractors.
Trendsetting building design calls for next-gen façade equipment. The reason is simple: while rigid, prefabricated solutions once worked for all buildings, that was because structures didn’t necessarily include interplays of planes and angles or find influence from organic shapes, as with modern architectural marvels like The Gherkin in London.
These new building facade designs—combined with the inclusion of lighter or innovative materials including glass, mesh, and more—mean facade access systems also need to adjust to stay lightweight while maintaining durability and strength for safety purposes. In addition, you must ensure that your facade access solutions comply not only with OSHA and CCOHS regulations but also meet the ASME A120.1 Standards and other applicable industry guidelines to uphold the highest safety standards for your property.
Facade Access NAM’s IDS experts can help you navigate these necessities with recommendations that are built in partnership with your team at the design stage of the building project. By collaborating at these early stages, your finished structure can facilitate successful, safe, and efficient maintenance (or repair) processes without compromising on a striking and contemporary architectural vision.
The future of building facade designs is in your hands, and the time to start thinking about the access solutions that will help achieve your bold vision is now. By partnering with dedicated industry professionals like Facade Access NAM’s IDS experts early in the process, you can future-proof your efforts with systems made specifically for your needs.
Facade Access NAM’s Integrated Design Services are proven in numerous AEC and commercial maintenance applications across numerous sectors, including traditional and renewable energies, tower construction, educational institutions, and much more.
Having discussions about facade access systems early in a commercial building project’s design stage matters. Why? One reason is complexity. Tall commercial buildings, for example—and the teams who develop them—keep reaching even greater physical and aesthetic heights. As the sizes and forms of buildings grow more impressive (i.e. complicated), it becomes more and more challenging to integrate systems that accomplish regulatory compliance, architectural appeal, and efficient access for exterior building maintenance.
However, when architects, contractors, and other stakeholders come together early enough in a project’s design phase, the challenges that new buildings present are not only surmountable, but also wellsprings of possibility for what the project can achieve. Furthermore, by inviting experts like Facade Access NAM’s (North American) Integrated Design Services (IDS) team to those early meetings, you can facilitate a successful building project and ensure that exterior building maintenance will run smoothly in the long-term.
Completing an exceptionally tall building or intricate structure is a remarkable accomplishment, but getting there requires holistic, objective consideration of the necessities. A building like the Burj Khalifa, for instance, is a staggering achievement. However, the facade access systems needed to reach the tens of thousands of glass panels that would need cleaning or replacement—not to mention the hundreds of thousands of square meters of curtain wall cladding—requiring care themselves.
Without considering exterior building maintenance needs like these, similarly momentous projects could become costly in the long run. Discovering these necessities after construction could lead to massive retrofitting costs. The more innovative a building is, the more custom solutions their chosen façade access manufacturers will have to develop.
Focusing on these considerations at the design stage has multiple benefits, including:
By approaching Facade Access NAM’s IDS experts and facade access manufacturers at the design stage, we can work with you from the beginning to create custom solutions that help ensure this type of long-lasting success.
Including facade access discussions in a project’s design stage helps a building retain its beauty well past its completed construction. When implementing an exterior with full-height glazing, for instance, early conversations may reveal that the building also needs access to the interior for cleaning purposes (as was the case with The Edge building in Amsterdam, which solved for the issue by installing lightweight, customizable monorail paths).
By contacting Facade Access NAM’s IDS experts at the beginning of your commercial building project, we can facilitate conversations and design strategy with all your contractors while recommending custom solutions for your architectural vision. As a result, the completed project will maintain your architect’s aesthetic goals while helping curtain wall, glass, and facade repair contractors achieve:
Aesthetics and functionality are only two-thirds of the conversation your project team should have at a building’s design stage. You should always ensure your that all elements of your building project—including your facade access solutions—comply not only with OSHA regulations but also meet the guidance provided by CCOHS and the ASME A120.1 Industry Standard, along with other applicable industry guidelines, to uphold the highest safety standards for your building.
Guaranteeing that compliance, in addition to the structure’s aesthetics and efficiency, is most successful at the design stage, especially when you include Facade Access NAM’s IDS experts in the project team’s early conversations. With proven experience in multiple AEC and commercial maintenance applications across numerous sectors, like traditional and renewable energies, tower construction, educational institutions, and more, our experts can help you achieve the ambitious vision you’re working toward.
Facade access design often deals with how access systems will impact a commercial building’s exterior aesthetics, but during the early stages of a construction project, owners, developers, architects, and other stakeholders also need to consider functional requirements. These can include the space needed for access equipment to launch and, more importantly, how operable an artistic design is for the access systems that may attach or be built into it.
Failing to consider facade access functionality at the beginning stage can lead to costly solutions later, which is why it’s a vital topic to discuss early on. These conversations can also be much more successful when you invite Integrated Design Services (IDS) consultants from Facade Access NAM to the table.
IDS consultants are experts who can balance architects’ and clients’ aesthetic concerns, as well as the safety managers’ cautionary and regulatory compliance needs, all while staying cognizant of the nuances various types of contractors (e.g. facade repair, curtain wall, and commercial glass contractors) will face when completing their work.
To help you share with your teams why contacting IDS consultants is essential to design-stage discussions, we’ll walk you through how our experts can facilitate custom commercial facade access solutions that are both effective and appealing.
Historically, facade access systems became more necessary when buildings began incorporating glass more and more as a large-scale material. That’s why building design now needs to accommodate the functional and safety needs of curtain wall contractors, commercial glass and glazing contractors, and facade repair contractors.
When you work with a facade access design team like Facade Access IDS experts in those early days, we can arrive at conversations already understanding contractors’ functional needs, which can include (but are not limited to):
In addition to facade access functionality, these contractors also need to know the systems they’re working with are safe. Organizations like OSHA and CCCOHS have fall protection regulations to ensure these safeties are present on job sites, and building project teams should always evaluate their plans to ensure compliance.
Your team should also consider working with experts like Facade Access IDS consultants. When contacted at the design stage, we can be your resource for both all regulatory information you need to know, and for custom access solutions built with equipment that makes compliance part of your commercial building’s DNA.
The most successful commercial facade access solutions blend form and function seamlessly together. For architects, this means a solution that delivers on all of the following:
Together, these qualities ensure that architects can achieve their goals of innovatively pushing artistic boundaries. When your team contacts Facade Access IDS professionals, we can empower you and your architectural partners develop custom facade access design solutions that achieve functional and safety needs without sacrificing your creative vision.
When you and your building’s project team integrate facade maintenance systems at the initial design stage, you demonstrate a forward-thinking and strategic mindset capable of balancing the artistic, functional, and regulatory requirements such an undertaking requires. By embracing this approach with the help of proven experts in facade access functionality and design, you also make your end product exponentially more successful.
For years, Facade Access NAM has been at the forefront of custom solutions for complex commercial needs. This includes facade access for both standard and unusual structures, and it’s why our team of Integrated Design Solutions consultants can be the ideal resource to help you bring your creative vision to life while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.
To ensure your building’s facade is not only accessible and safe, but also maintained to the highest standards, contact us and begin a conversation about your commercial facade access project with our expert consultants.
The push for sustainability is gaining momentum in the architectural landscape. Architects are incorporating renewable materials, energy-efficient systems, and green building practices. The focus squarely rests on creating Net Zero Energy buildings and carbon-neutral constructions. This shift directly responds to the urgency of combating climate change, leading to a more environmentally conscious and sustainable approach to architecture.
In response to the rising emphasis on energy efficiency in modern building design, Facade Access Solutions had a range of sustainability goals as part of Alimak Group. By developing a framework based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we commit to reducing our entire carbon footprint by 30% across the value chain by 2025.
Thanks to innovative technologies, Facade Access Solutions integrate sustainability into the manufacturing process, focusing on key aspects such as design, components, and materials. For instance, Facade Access Solutions emphasises the importance of designing lighter equipment, strategically placing facade access systems for efficient maintenance, and using energy-efficient features to power the systems.
Additionally, we prioritise sustainability through sourcing energy-efficient materials. This includes using highly insulated glass and efficient cladding materials to enhance system performance, decrease load capacity, and reduce energy consumption.
Architects increasingly turn to adaptive reuse and historic preservation in a conscientious effort to preserve cultural heritage. This trend breathes new life into ageing structures and aligns to minimise waste and maintain historical significance in ever-evolving cities.
A prime illustration of this trend is the restoration of the iconic Lloyds of London building. Designed by architect Richard Rogers, the building held a Grade 1 listed status, emphasising its historical importance. Manntech, leveraging our engineering expertise, was tasked with replacing the ageing facade access system without compromising the building’s aesthetic or disrupting daily operations.
The challenge lies in updating the building maintenance units (BMUs) while adhering to current design standards and health and safety regulations. Manntech’s custom facade access solution featured 17 BMUs strategically placed, respecting the building’s original design, and working within its loading limits. From underslung BMUs to crane-type units, the solution showcased innovative design to meet the architectural profile of Lloyds’s building.
This adaptive approach not only safeguarded the architectural legacy but also achieved a balance between historical significance and contemporary needs.
With a focus on adaptive reuse and historic preservation, the sustainable benefits of refurbishing existing facade access systems come to the forefront. Investing in a proactive refurbishment plan, Manntech provides customers with a cost-effective alternative to a full replacement.
One significant advantage lies in the improved performance achieved through a comprehensive inspection and evaluation report of the current equipment. This ensures the safe operation of facade access systems and minimises downtime, optimising overall productivity.
The use of genuine spare parts not only guarantees quality but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the systems. This approach aligns with a broader commitment to reducing waste and promoting responsible resource utilisation.
Moreover, customised upgrades are an integral part of refurbishment solutions. Refurbishment contributes to the longevity and efficiency of facade access systems, whether focusing on increased cradle capacity, improved materials handling, or options for future building upgrades.
Manntech’s refurbishment services were highlighted in the Fashion House project in Munich, where the 59-year-old building maintenance unit faced challenges due to weight limitations on existing tracks. Opting for a cost-effective refurbishment instead of complete replacement, Manntech minimised system weight and utilised existing tracks. The refurbished system extended the unit’s life and showcased the advantages of Manntech’s refurbishment services.
Parametric and generative design tools reshape architectural aesthetics, allowing architects to create dynamic and organic forms. In 2024, these tools are expected to play a significant role in pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation.
The MSG Sphere at the Venetian is an example of this creative transformation. Standing tall at 110 metres, this sphere-shaped music and entertainment arena has the world’s largest LED screen. Manntech was tasked with delivering a custom access solution for maintaining the external LED light panels. This involved navigating a 2700-tonne steel roof and a steel compression ring that shaped the unique spherical structure.
To tackle these structural challenges, our team devised a Manntech Type 6 building maintenance unit equipped with an articulating arm for precise contact with the LED lights, also adding an Automatic Positioning System, enabling operators to select a location on the facade and be guided to that spot.
In essence, using parametric and generative design tools, coupled with Manntech’s innovative solutions, demonstrated the potential of technology to support the realisation of visionary architectural projects.
As the world becomes more urbanised, architects turn to biophilic design to reconnect people with nature. Incorporating green roofs, indoor gardens, and expansive windows with panoramic views, this trend promotes wellness and enhances air quality within urban spaces.
The Edge is a testament to biophilic design, earning recognition as the world’s greenest building. The architects’ vision was to create a social hub, taking the form of an atrium with bridges and lifts, creating a social environment.
Manntech was tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the building’s intricate facades, as well as a solution to mounting and preserving works of art. The challenges posed by sloping roofs and glass structures were met with access solutions that complemented the building’s design.
We look at some of the facade access challenges associated with complex design and how Facade Access Solutions can assist in implementing solutions to address these issues.
When partnering with an experienced facade access solution provider such as Facade Access Solutions they will ensure to scope a project effectively, recommending a fit-for-purpose access solution to meet the unique facade requirements. This will also include installation requirements and consider site access, site preparation and traffic management.
Facade Access Solutions not only provides solutions to meet the challenges of complex architectural design in facade access but can minimise any unforeseen issues. The Facade Access Solutions engineering team utilises 3D design software which allows you to integrate concepts into your Building Information Model / Modelling (BIM) and visualise the final result. This process allows modelling of all surface area access as well as the early identification of any integration issues, preventing later rework, costly variations, and time.
In most cases, we can show you or your stakeholders’ similar examples of previously installed facade access systems to help demonstrate how the solution would work in practical terms.
At Facade Access Solutions, we have over 60 years of experience and a global portfolio of projects to call upon to provide customised and innovative solutions for any facade access challenge.
A fit for purpose, facade access system offers a significant advantage by enhancing the value of a building. Keeping the building facade well-maintained and free from dirt, debris and hazards makes it more appealing to potential tenants and buyers. This increased attractiveness contributes to a higher perceived value of the building, making it a desirable investment or occupancy opportunity. A well-maintained facade can also increase the overall curb appeal of the building, which can positively impact the surrounding neighbourhood and property values.
Facade Access Solutions’ facade access systems assist in the long-term preservation of commercial and residential buildings worldwide. Not only do our facade access solutions enable the regular cleaning of large and complex building structures, they also provide a means of enhanced safety access for maintenance and repairs, which allows our clients to safeguard their investments.
Regarding safety, investing in a suitable building maintenance unit (BMU) over relying on abseilers is key. Using a BMU significantly reduces the risk of falls and accidentally dropping cleaning equipment, which could result in safety risks for pedestrians below. Additionally, abseilers are more vulnerable to sudden weather changes and lack the protective measures offered by a building maintenance unit.
At Facade Access Solutions, our facade access systems are designed with maximum safety in mind. Facade Access Solutions’ building maintenance units rely on precise engineering, rigorously tested safety equipment, and qualified workers to ensure the safe and effective execution of all maintenance procedures.
A facade access system can help reduce long-term maintenance and repair costs by identifying potential problems before they become major issues. Regular inspections and maintenance of the building facade can help identify and address issues such as water damage, cracks, and other forms of deterioration, which can help prevent costly repairs and replacements down the line.
In addition to providing our clients with the installation of facade access systems that allow for regular repairs and maintenance on their structures, Facade Access Solutions also offers prompt and effective repairs and maintenance services for our systems. This includes quickly responding to short-notice and emergency callouts, ensuring efficient operation and reliability of our systems.
A facade access system can help building owners and managers comply with regulatory requirements and avoid potential legal issues. Building owners can avoid potential liability issues and fines associated with non-compliance with safety regulations by ensuring that the building facade is well-maintained and free from hazards.
At Facade Access Solutions, we offer a range of inspection programs to support the safe operation of our facade access systems. We also work closely with organisations across multiple industries to promote best practices around inspecting and safely operating facade access equipment.
Facade access design often deals with how access systems will impact a commercial building’s exterior aesthetics, but during
the early stages of a construction project, owners, developers, architects, and other stakeholders also need to consider
functional requirements. These can include the space needed for access equipment to launch and, more importantly, how
operable an artistic design is for the access systems that may attach or be built into it.
Failing to consider facade access functionality at the beginning stage can lead to costly solutions later, which is why it’s a vital
topic to discuss early on. These conversations can also be much more successful when you invite Integrated Design Services
(IDS) consultants from Facade Access NAM to the table.
IDS consultants are experts who can balance architects’ and clients’ aesthetic concerns, as well as the safety managers’
cautionary and regulatory compliance needs, all while staying cognizant of the nuances various types of contractors (e.g.
facade repair, curtain wall, and commercial glass contractors) will face when completing their work.
To help you share with your teams why contacting IDS consultants is essential to design-stage discussions, we’ll walk you
through how our experts can facilitate custom commercial facade access solutions that are both effective and appealing.
Historically, facade access systems became more necessary when buildings began incorporating glass more and more as a
large-scale material. That’s why building design now needs to accommodate the functional and safety needs of curtain wall
contractors, commercial glass and glazing contractors, and facade repair contractors.
When you work with a facade access design team like Facade Access IDS experts in those early days, we can arrive at
conversations already understanding contractors’ functional needs, which can include (but are not limited to):
In addition to facade access functionality, these contractors also need to know the systems they’re working with are safe.
Organizations like OSHA and CCCOHS have fall protection regulations to ensure these safeties are present on job sites, and
building project teams should always evaluate their plans to ensure compliance.
Your team should also consider working with experts like Facade Access IDS consultants. When contacted at the design
stage, we can be your resource for both all regulatory information you need to know, and for custom access solutions built
with equipment that makes compliance part of your commercial building’s DNA.
The most successful commercial facade access solutions blend form and function seamlessly together. For architects, this
means a solution that delivers on all of the following:
Together, these qualities ensure that architects can achieve their goals of innovatively pushing artistic boundaries. When your
team contacts Facade Access IDS professionals, we can empower you and your architectural partners develop custom facade
access design solutions that achieve functional and safety needs without sacrificing your creative vision.
When you and your building’s project team integrate facade maintenance systems at the initial design stage, you demonstrate
a forward-thinking and strategic mindset capable of balancing the artistic, functional, and regulatory requirements such an
undertaking requires. By embracing this approach with the help of proven experts in facade access functionality and design,
you also make your end product exponentially more successful.
For years, Facade Access NAM has been at the forefront of custom solutions for complex commercial needs. This includes
facade access for both standard and unusual structures, and it’s why our team of Integrated Design Solutions consultants can
be the ideal resource to help you bring your creative vision to life while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.
To ensure your building’s facade is not only accessible and safe, but also maintained to the highest standards, contact us and
begin a conversation about your commercial facade access project with our expert consultants.