Elevator firms form alliance.

A new firm, Alliance Elevator Group LLC, has been formed by the managements of two well-established local providers of elevator maintenance and related services, Republic Elevator Corp. and Knudson Elevator Corp.

The new organization will function as an umbrella under which Republic and Knudson will operate independently. Based on sales volume, Alliance believes that the combined operations of these two prominent subsidiaries will constitute the largest privately owned elevator concern in the New York metropolitan area, and possibly the largest in the U.S.

"In an industry whose largest firms are mostly foreign owned, Alliance has reversed the trend by purchasing Republic from its French parent, represented by Montenay International Corp. in the U.S.," said David Talcott, CEO of Alliance.

With more than 150 employees, the two companies have maintenance service contracts covering approximately 3,000 elevators in over 1,000 commercial and residential buildings. Republic services more than 200 elevators at the Parkchester residential complex in The Bronx and was recently awarded a multi-million dollar renovation contract for the elevators at the Bear Stearns building at 245 Park Avenue.

Talcott said that the establishment of the new organization will bring important benefits to the customers of both companies. Among these he cited faster response and an enhanced communications system with field personnel. "In a word," he said, "we will offer better and faster service. An additional benefit for Republic customers is that they have gained the advantage of hands-on American owner-management."

Talcott estimates Alliance's market share to be about 5 percent of the elevator installations in the New York metro area. "Considering the fact that there are approximately 100 contractors who share this market, our portion is fairly substantial. But there's obviously plenty of growth potential," he said.

Republic Elevator Corp. was founded in 1972 and sold to Montenay in the 1980's. Knudson Elevator was formed in 1938, and was acquired by David Talcott in 1993. In addition to Talcott, Alliance's principals include Michael Carnevale, John DiCapua, Richard Galdieri, Kenneth Marcherini and Patrick McEvoy.