Columbia Elevator - Corporate Profile

Corporate Profile

Columbia Elevator is a multi-generational enterprise, a synthesis of the traditional hard work and knowledge gained over decades by its founder, combined with the technology-based and forward-thinking business philosophies of his son. Over 100,000 elevator entrances, doors and cabs have been manufactured by Columbia since its inception and the company is currently undergoing an expansion for increased capacity.

Incorporated in 1965, launched on January 1, 1967 by Louis Blaiotta, Sr. in Port Chester, NY, and named after New York City's Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center where he had earlier lost his father in an elevator installation accident, Columbia Elevator began shipping custom and standardized entrances in March 1967. The fledgling firm joined the National Association of Elevator Contractors in October of 1968 and added the fabrication of custom elevator cabs to its services in January of 1971. During the mid-1980s, the operation was joined by Louis Blaiotta, Jr., known as LJ, and both Columbia principals have been key to the development of industry standards in safety.

Since its beginnings, the facility has expanded from 15,000 to nearly 40,000 square feet and has undergone the aggressive acquisition of equipment, and development of highly-trained human capital, to offer a unique brand of service to its customers. Additionally, Columbia has been consistently at the cutting edge on issues of safety. Early on, Columbia was issued Underwriters Laboratories label procedures for drywall entrances; in 1985, Columbia tested its 9' high drywall entrance assembly at UL's Northbrook, IL facilities and was issued a new expanded label procedure. In December, 1989, Columbia filed and tested a new classified elevator cab procedure in accord with ASME/A17.1 Rule 204.2a, which presently remains a Columbia exclusive: the only UL-classified cab procedure in use. Columbia also offers the industry's only entrance tested in compliance with NFPA 105 for smoke penetration.

Recently, Columbia Elevator underwent a comprehensive reconstruction and expansion program, including new and relocated machinery. This upgrade resulted in an additional 5,000 sq. feet of useable factory production area and allowed product to flow in a more continuous manner. Mechanized conveying equipment has reduced material and product handling by manpower to a minimum, thereby assuring a safer and more efficient process flow. Additionally, Columbia has purchased and retro-fitted existing equipment with "state of the art" numerical controls (NC) and interfaced this equipment with "state of the art" computer software systems. Many programs are in developed "in-house" and are used exclusively at Columbia's plant.

This restructuring is designed not only for more efficient production and enhanced customer service, it is a progression of Columbia's traditional concern for the well-being of its employees. Since its inception, Columbia has operated with a philosophy of maximized employee safety.

The company offers periodic safety classes and clinics in conjunction with its Workers Comp insurance carrier; it regularly updates all obsolete and unsafe machinery with new or upgraded equipment, replaces all environmental processes, and employs new regulations, including lock-out and tag-out. Regular procedures include:

Two-hand safety machine operation
Eye, hand, foot and back protection gear
Elimination of lead- and solvent-bearing paints
Prohibited use of any carcinogenic materials
Annual hazardous material clinics
Forklift safe-operation training
Mandatory video education program and update following any accident, however minor

The company encourages employee participation in safety, safety code and civic activities, on a volunteer basis, with full salary and expense reimbursement; its employees are active participants in the numerous such organizations, including A17, NAESA, ASME, ANSI, and NFPA.

Columbia Elevator is a strict equal-opportunity employer and does not tolerate harassment for reasons of sex, religion or national origin, at or outside the workplace.