The Shcherbinsky Elevator Plant has produced over 3,200 gearless winches of its own design. The production of one of the key elevator components was put into industrial operation in 2025 after a large-scale modernization of the enterprise, implemented with the support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
According to Sergey Firstov, the plant's financial director, as part of its obligations to the ministry, the enterprise produced over 1,200 gearless winches in 2025, and since the beginning of 2026, the production volume has increased by another approximately 2,000 units. According to him, the enterprise is considering launching an additional assembly line, which will allow it to further increase production.
Gearless winches are characterized by more compact dimensions and lower weight compared to traditional geared systems. This allows for reducing the space occupied by equipment in the elevator shaft, and in some projects, eliminating the need for a separate machine room.
Another advantage of the new design is reduced noise and vibration, thanks to which elevators operate significantly quieter and provide a more comfortable ride for passengers.
Currently, new domestic units are installed in passenger elevators both with and without a machine room. They are designed for a lifting capacity of up to 450 kg and a speed of 1 to 2 m/s.
The situation with the production of individual elevator components is unfolding against the backdrop of systemic wear and tear of the elevator fleet in Russia. According to estimates by industry associations and construction complex experts, hundreds of thousands of elevators are operated in the country, with tens of thousands of them having already exceeded their normative service life and requiring replacement — estimates reach 80–110 thousand units in the coming years.