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 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.