Spotlight: Metro Elevator
by Nora m. Davis (HBCA)—FEBRUARY 2011
Sue Hanson, Metro Elevator
Racing to greet me the day I stopped at Metro Elevator was Gracie – a lively Golden Retriever who serves as their “greeter.” I’m sure she thought I was there to play – a ball was in her mouth. After some play time she did settle at my feet, ball still in her mouth, as I began my interview with Sue Hanson.
Metro Elevator was started in 1990 by Brad and Sue Hanson. Both had ties to the elevator business: Sue’s dad was in the trade for 35 years, and Brad has been in the business since 1978.
What exactly does Metro Elevator do? “We provide maintenance, repair, code updates and modernization services on commercial elevators in the seven-county metro area,” Sue explained. “We specialize in buildings such as condos, apartments, and office buildings, in addition to local schools and churches.” A seven-day a week, 24-hour per day operation, they pride themselves on providing a quick response to elevator service calls. No voice mail here—they believe their customers deserve a “real person” when they call. After hours calls are taken by an answering service which then pages the “on call” service technician.
Gracie, the Metro Elevator greeter
Metro Elevator has approximately 600 accounts, servicing over 1000 elevators. They provide maintenance contracts varying in frequency from weekly to annually. “We don’t do new construction or installation of new elevators, or public bid work,” Sue commented. Their niche is exceptional customer service with employees who care. How do customers find out about Metro Elevator? Strictly “word of mouth,” Sue proudly noted.
Elevator technicians at Metro are all members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 9. A five-year apprenticeship with the union begins the process of learning the elevator trade and continues with on-the-job training. Once they are set up as mechanics, the technicians are required to take continuing education courses to maintain their licensure.
And what has changed in the elevator business? New elevator codes in 2004 have mandated changes to currently installed elevators. Have an elevator installed before 1972? You’ll more than likely need a new double bottom cylinder. Other changes include providing firefighters service and restricting the doors from opening while the elevator is in motion.
Sue gave me a tour of their neatly stocked back room filled with an assortment of elevator parts, some vintage. I learned one of their employees with 35 years of experience services an elevator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts that was installed in 1927!
When asked what makes Metro Elevator special, Sue’s immediate response was “our employees!” According to Sue, their 12 employees are like family and each person takes immense pride in their work and in their relationships with the customers they serve.
Know of a property that has elevator equipment that needs service? Call Metro Elevator, Inc. at 952-932-9868. You can also stop in at 1725 Mainstreet. Gracie will be happy to see you.
