TEI Group is shaping the future of vertical transportation, one elevator at a time
From its roots as an independently owned elevator maintenance company, TEI Group (TEI) has grown into a leading provider of comprehensive vertical transportation, construction, modernization, maintenance, and repair services. Having started out as elevator mechanics, the founders have expanded their hands-on experience to provide multiple generations of customers with unprecedented safety, integrity, and top-quality service.
Having built a strong reputation across New York City, TEI recently opened its first US Southeastern branch in Tampa, Florida, in 2024, a second in Tallahassee, Florida, in April 2025, and now another in Miramar, Florida. TEI currently employs over 350 highly trained vertical transportation professionals, including 250 licensed technicians. All technicians are affiliated with the International Union of Elevator Constructions and are audited twice a year while on job sites to ensure the highest quality and safety standards. TEI also employs Michale Luraschi, a nationally recognized and respected individual, as the Director for Environmental Health & Safety, to focus on advancing elevator safety for not only TEI but across the entire vertical transportation industry. 
With a 98 percent customer retention rate, TEI clearly provides an unparalleled customer experience driven by honesty, urgency, and attention to detail. By ensuring customers’ vertical transportation systems are safe and operational, TEI’s services keep property managers and occupants happy, enhancing the value and profitability of their facilities, and ultimately leading to long-term relationships with repeat work. Technicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the business maintains small driver routes and geographic areas to provide a rapid response to service calls and customer requests.
Comprehensive suite of services
Designing and installing new vertical transportation systems is TEI’s specialty. Whether the system requires hydraulic Machine-Room Less (MRL), conventional gearless high-speed traction electors, or spiral or straight escalators for indoor or outdoor use, TEI has a strong portfolio and design team that can identify the right solution for specific applications. The design team works closely with clients to take all aspects of design and installation into account, including performance, life expectancy, user experience, aesthetics, and living habits.
While not even the most state-of-the-art elevators last forever, TEI’s expert engineering team can assess current systems and design a modernization solution. From full replacement to a new component like a controller, door operator, or fixture, TEI brings systems up to date to ensure they perform at peak efficiency. Similarly, continuous maintenance and repairs are essential for reliable, consistent, and safe operations. TEI provides a customized preventative maintenance and repair program based on a client’s specific systems, usage, and requirements.
In line with the relevant building codes, the business also conducts regular Category 1 and Category 5 testing audits and inspections, and then completes any remedial services required to satisfy Department of Building (DOB) standards. This helps to prevent customers facing fines, shutdowns, or potentially dangerous operations in the event of compliance failures.
Exceptional customer service
To learn more about TEI’s operations, we speak with President, Mark Gregorio, who shares an insider view on the company’s evolution and latest projects. Having entered the industry at the age of 22 and served apprenticeships under some of the most highly respected technicians in New York, Mark has worked in several positions and strives to provide exceptional customer service and safety standards. Mark is a member of numerous trade associations, including the Real Estate Board, National Association of Elevator Contractors, Elevator Industry Association, and New Building Congress.
“We’re one of the few independent, full-service elevator providers in the US,” Mark opens. “Operating in New York City and Florida, we provide services for vertical transportation equipment, including engineering services, insulation, maintenance, repair, and modernization for elevator systems up to 2000 feet per minute in speed and over 1200 feet in travel. While we’re a large company with almost 400 employees, our company culture remains a family environment where we support each other and facilitate mutual growth.”
In March 2020, TEI became an equity partner with Analogue Holdings Ltd, a leading electrical and mechanical engineering services provider based in Hong Kong. This partnership allows the company to significantly increase the resources, services, and products available, as well as expand into additional geographic areas to meet increased demand.
Impressive project portfolio
Reflecting on how TEI is responding to increased market demand, Mark explains: “With origins in New York City, the company is well positioned to serve high density urban markets, and we can easily switch to other rapidly growing cities like Tampa and Miami. As one of the few places where people commute an average of over an hour per day on public transport, the Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the city and with people reluctant to return to offices, the commercial market remains stagnant.
“As demand for residential space has far outpaced demand for commercial space, we’re seeing more commercial properties being converted into residential properties. We have several projects to install elevators in buildings like these, scattered around different areas of downtown New York. The federal government recognizes that there needs to be an incentive program in place for developers to build more residential spaces, and I believe we’ll see increased activity over the next few years.
“In terms of new construction, we have an upcoming 30-unit project to install elevators in 740 Eighth Avenue, otherwise known as The Torch, which is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Midtown Manhattan and is planned to reach 1067 feet tall once completed in 2027,” he reveals. “With elevators running at speeds of 2000 feet per minute and an amusement ride near the top of the building overlooking Times Square, we’re super excited to see this project progress.”
Commenting on this project win in a recent press release, Michael Staub, Partner and Executive Vice President of Operations at TEI, said: “TEI Group will deliver world-class vertical transportation in this iconic building, which will greatly redefine the Manhattan skyline for generations to come.”
In the same press release, Mark added: “TEI is well positioned for this project with the combined construction experience of VP John Rose and GM Mike Donohue on high-rise, high-speed elevator installations. TEI has completed many projects for both Extell Development and Suffolk Construction, and we look forward to another successful project.”
System modernization
As our conversation continues, Mark turns his attention to other areas of the business. “When it comes to the modernization of elevator systems, the new trend is towards destination-based dispatching,” he states. “This system is designed to minimize the number of trips, creating more efficiency and saving energy across the supply chain. We’re starting to implement AI to gain greater reporting information on the status of the elevators, which will allow for predictive maintenance and minimize downtime.
“On the field services side of the business, we use a proprietary communication platform, Mobile Office Manager, to seamlessly dispatch service calls and allow our technicians to easily communicate directly with our headquarters. The program also features a customer portal where clients can access real-time updates on the status of the project.”
With clear values of safety, integrity, and quality, it’s no surprise that TEI has evolved into the leading vertical transportation solution provider that it is today. From its roots in New York to its growing presence in Florida, TEI will inevitably continue to strengthen its position with landmark projects and destination-based dispatching that meet its customers’ ever-evolving demands.