Kevin Cunningham: Communicate and Learn Your Product Artwork

Elevator Careers

Elevator Careers is a podcast dedicated to the people who spend their lives and careers working in the vertical transportation industry. It is produced for the benefit of both elevator companies who are looking to hire great talent and for those who want to continue to grow professionally within the industry. This is an opportunity to create a dialogue with all of these stakeholders, learning from them and hearing the gems they have gleaned in their professions. The "Elevator Careers" podcast” is an opportunity to pay it forward" by sharing knowledge learned in the business and in the trade and helping others who are on similar journeys.

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Elevator Careers

Kevin Cunningham: Communicate and Learn Your Product

March 24, 2025 • Matt Allred • Season 4 • Episode 6

Intro:
Welcome to today's episode of The Elevator Careers Podcast. Our guest today is Kevin Cunningham, an industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in elevator construction, modernization, and consulting. Kevin's journey started with sheer determination—calling every day until he got his first job in the elevator trade.

In this episode, Kevin shares how his hands-on experience in the field shaped his career and ultimately led him to co-found HydraSafe Brake, a company dedicated to improving elevator safety with cutting-edge braking systems. We'll explore Kevin's insights on career growth, planning ahead, and the critical role of safety in the elevator industry.

So, buckle up and join us as we take a deep dive into the world of elevators and safety innovation with Kevin Cunningham.

Summary:
Kevin Cunningham, an industry veteran with over 40 years in elevator construction and modernization, shared his journey in the elevator industry. He emphasized the importance of communication and product knowledge. Kevin started in 1985 by persistently contacting Fujitec until they offered him a job. He transitioned from a helper to a mechanic in five years and enjoyed modernizations for their complexity. Planning ahead was crucial for him, learning from early mistakes. Moving from the field to consulting, he faced challenges in writing reports but developed templates for efficiency. His transition to manufacturing involved overcoming supply chain issues and emphasized the importance of learning the product and returning phone calls.