Company Overview

The ATIS Group, with ATIS in the US and KJA in Canada, are the premier elevator and escalator consulting, management, and inspection businesses operating across North America.

Our inspection services cover the US with more than 185 Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI). Our global team of industry veteran elevator and escalator consultants spans all of North America.

As consultants we leverage our decades of industry experience to assist our clients in everything from engineering and designing new elevator installations to assessing existing equipment, determining the need for modernization, and managing maintenance and compliance.

With offices located throughout the US and Canada, we are well positioned to assist all clients, whether for a single elevator, or for a global corporation with thousands of devices.

Global Headquarters

Canada Headquarters

Our History

Our beginnings go back to 1965 with the founding of the renowned elevator engineering and design firm KJA in Canada. Since its inception, KJA has been a pioneer in the industry, developing cutting edge ride quality analysis tools, traffic measurement equipment and software that has been used in design development for hundreds of international clients.

In 2012, CEO Chip Smith founded ATIS in St. Louis, MO with the objective of building the first inspections company to service the entire US, helping national firms to streamline the management of their elevator portfolios. ATIS rapidly grew to become a full-service provider with elevator consulting and management.

Founded in 2014 by industry veteran Chris Dodds, Liberty Elevator Experts quickly expanded into a leading elevator consulting firm that delivered excellence in service to the Mid-Atlantic region.

2023 Merger

In January 2023, the three firms announced their merger. The new organization brings unparalleled experience, capacity, and expertise to customers - across all of North America. Their combined resources advance their objective to elevate transparency and accountability within the industry, and to improve safety, compliance, and performance.

Our association memberships

We’re active members in the top national conveyance associations and serve as speakers, educational leaders, and board members. It’s another way we make a positive difference every day in the inspection, performance, and safety of elevators and escalators.

NAESA International

NAESA International is an organization open to individuals from all segments of the elevator industry who are interested in improving the manufacturing, performance, inspection and safety of elevators, escalators and other conveyances.

American National Standards Institute

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system and strengthening its impact, both domestically and internationally.

Elevator World

Since 1953, Elevator World, Inc. has served as publisher for the international building transportation industry. It employs specialists in Mobile, Alabama, and has technical and news correspondents around the world.

QEI Training Fund

QEITF is the Qualified Elevator Inspector Training Fund and is an accredited certifying organization under ISO/IEC 17024: 2012 by the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) to certify Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI) to the ASME QEI-1 Standard.

National Elevator Industry, Inc.

The premier national trade association serving global building transportation leaders who manufacture, install and maintain elevators, escalators, and other building transportation equipment.

Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation is the leading resource for educational programs that teach children and adults how to properly ride elevators, escalators and moving walkways safely.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers promotes the art, science and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe.