ELEVATOR WORLD presents the winning companies of the inaugural Ellies.
Elevator World is pleased to present the winners of our inaugural Ellies, the industry’s first awards program as nominated an voted on by the industry. With more than 12,000 votes, the contest proved popular and competitive, with 14 winners in 15 categories that covered businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Our thanks go out to all winners, nominees and the industry for making this first or what will likely be many Ellies a success. We’ll have new categories for the 2019 edition, for which winners will again be featured in the December issue. Look for announcements at www.elevatorworld.com/ellies and, as always, on our Daily News and in ELENET.
Winner Best Family-Owned Business
Company: Liberty Elevator Corp.
Headquarters: Paterson, New Jersey
George Gordon Muttart founded National Elevator in 1960. In 1987, the company became Liberty under the ownership of his son, Douglas K Muttart, after completing the historic elevator installation in the Statue of Liberty. Twenty-five years later, after having come to be owned by Douglas’ children, the full-service company returned to perform the monument’s Life and Safety Upgrades, which included three new elevators (ELEVATOR WORLD, January 2014). Headquartered in Paterson, New Jersey, Liberty serves an area stretching across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Liberty’s nomination came with rave reviews. “Caring close-knit company with excellent customer service,” one nominator wrote. “Excellent service. Professionalism. Liberty Elevator has been servicing my 12 elevators for 18 years now. Couldn’t ask for a better/more personal and professional contractor.” Among many other glowing comments, it was said the “sons have made their family proud and not only take pride in their work, but they value their employees.”
President Douglas J. Muttart, son of Douglas K., who owns the company along with brother Darren Muttart and their mother, Janet Muttart, said: “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside other Ellie winners like EMR Elevator, Delaware Elevator and KJA Consultants. We all take pride in what we do, and our partners value the commitments we make to them. After three generations of ownership at Liberty Elevator, we are still dedicated to upholding the core values of honesty and hard work my grandfather instilled in the company 58 years ago.”