Lerch Bates
Founded in 1947, Lerch Bates is an internationally acclaimed elevator and escalator consulting firm with 35 offices throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and India. Our suite of services—which we call “Ownership Asset Solutions”—is designed to support all of your elevator and escalator consulting needs. A team of architects, developers, building investors, owners and managers on the design, sustainability and continuous use of a wide spectrum of building systems for any size or type of building.
Lerch Bates is an international consulting services firm with 35 offices throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and India. Founded over 60 years ago, with elevator consulting as it’s cornerstone, we advise architects, developers, building investors, owners and managers on the design, sustainability and continuous use of a wide spectrum of building systems for any size or type of building.
Our history reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and the vision of our founders – Charles Lerch and Quentin Bates, as well as their interest in contributing to the dynamic changes in building technology and construction since 1947.
In 1947, our founder, Charles Lerch left Otis Elevator Co. to strike out on his own doing maintenance and repairs as C. W. Lerch Co. in Chicago. Always focused on client needs, he added elevator consulting as a side business in response to client requests. Quentin Bates knew the reputation of Charles Lerch and actively sought an opportunity to work together. Quentin Bates left Haughton Elevators in 1964 to join Lerch and both men committed to full time elevator consulting. The firm moved its headquarters to Denver, Colorado in the same year. In 1974 the company was incorporated as Lerch Bates & Associates. By the 80’s building boom, Lerch Bates had 15 offices throughout North America. In 1984 the Healthcare group was added, now known as the Logistics Group. In 1985 the Facade Access Consulting Group was added.
As they say – the rest is history. Or more accurately, we are still creating our history. Since our founding in 1947 as the first independent elevator consulting firm in the US, we have added offices and capabilities around the world, bringing industry leading expertise and technology to our work with clients on diverse and challenging projects. Our influence as innovators of design concepts is seen as many of our “firsts” have become industry standards that can be recognized in many of the world’s tallest buildings. In 1986 Lerch Bates became an employee owned consulting firm. Much like the early days, each employee/owner takes an entrepreneur’s interest in providing the service, quality and ingenuity our clients expect and deserve. We are alway making histoy. Read more about our influence around the world.
