Vertical Growth
Delaware Elevator History: Four Generations of Growth
Delaware Elevator history spans four generations, more than 80 years of elevator-industry experience and thousands of projects throughout the United States and around the world. From its beginnings as a small family business to its growth into one of the nation’s largest independent elevator companies, Delaware Elevator has remained committed to quality workmanship, employee development, customer service and safety.
Today, Delaware Elevator is a full-service elevator company providing new installation, modernization, maintenance, repair, inspection and specialty vertical transportation solutions. Its portfolio includes elevators in hotels, hospitals, offices, apartment buildings, museums, government facilities, military installations and some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
How Did Delaware Elevator Begin?
The roots of Delaware Elevator date back to the 1930s, when Paul L. Meeks established an elevator business in Wilmington, Delaware. Rather than relocate his family to Denver for another elevator company, Paul chose to start his own operation and train his sons and other family members in the trade.
One of Paul’s sons, Charles “Charlie” Meeks, regularly traveled from Wilmington to Salisbury, Maryland, to service the elevator at the local hospital. During those visits, he met Shirley Farlow, a waitress and dancer whose family had moved to Maryland during the Great Depression.
Charlie and Shirley spent part of World War II apart. Charlie served in the South Pacific as a U.S. Army combat engineer, while Shirley performed as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. When Charlie returned from military service, the couple married and settled in Salisbury.
In 1946, Charlie established his own elevator company in Salisbury. He continued using the Delaware Elevator name, reportedly updating some of his father’s existing business cards by crossing out the Wilmington address and replacing it with Salisbury.
That practical beginning helped establish the foundation of the company that exists today. Learn more about the company’s background on Delaware Elevator’s About Us page.
Four Generations of Family Leadership
Delaware Elevator continued as a family-owned business under Charlie and Shirley Meeks. Their son, Charles “Pete” Meeks Jr., worked for the company while attending high school and later returned to help operate the business.
In 1985, Pete assumed responsibility for running Delaware Elevator while the company was still relatively small. He focused on hiring and training talented employees, treating people well and providing customers with reliable, high-quality elevator service.
That people-first approach helped Delaware Elevator expand beyond Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Successful projects in the Baltimore-Washington region led to relationships with larger contractors and new opportunities in additional markets.
As employees relocated or identified opportunities in other areas, Delaware Elevator opened new branch locations rather than losing experienced team members. This strategy contributed to the company’s expansion into Delaware, the Carolinas, Florida and other regions.
Pete’s daughters later joined the family business, continuing the company’s fourth generation of leadership. Their involvement has helped preserve Delaware Elevator’s family culture while supporting its continued growth and development.
A People-First Approach to Growth
Delaware Elevator’s growth has been driven by its investment in people. The company recruits, trains and develops professionals across construction, modernization, service, manufacturing, engineering, sales and administration.
Elevator work combines mechanical systems, electrical installation, electronics, plumbing, construction and technology. Because elevators transport people, every part of the job also requires a strong commitment to safety and attention to detail.
Delaware Elevator supports the next generation of industry professionals through classroom instruction, mentorship and hands-on experience. Its federally approved elevator apprenticeship and Certified Elevator Technician programs provide structured pathways for individuals interested in building skilled-trade careers.
This focus on employees has allowed the company to retain experienced professionals and preserve the technical knowledge required to complete challenging elevator projects.
Expanding Into Elevator Manufacturing
Approximately two decades ago, Delaware Elevator expanded into manufacturing to gain greater control over equipment quality, availability and project lead times.
Today, the company is supported by two in-house manufacturing businesses: DEM Elevating Equipment in Salisbury, Maryland, and IDEC Elevator Products in Riviera Beach, Florida.
DEM Elevating Equipment designs, engineers and manufactures nonproprietary elevator equipment, including elevator cabs, hydraulic equipment, power units, doors, entrances and other components. IDEC Elevator Products specializes in standard and custom elevator cabs, doors, entrances and interiors for commercial and residential buildings.
These capabilities allow Delaware Elevator to coordinate equipment design, manufacturing, installation and long-term service while responding to the specific needs of each project. More information about both manufacturers is available on Delaware Elevator’s Affiliates page.
Although manufacturing has become an important part of the organization, Delaware Elevator remains an elevator contractor at its core.
Modernizing the Washington Monument Elevator
One of the most recognizable projects in Delaware Elevator history is the modernization of the elevator inside the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
Because the elevator machine room is located near the top of the 555-foot monument, technicians had to climb hundreds of steps through the interior of the structure to reach the equipment. Traditional methods, including using a crane to remove the existing machinery, were not possible.
The Delaware Elevator team rebuilt aging equipment, replaced key components and upgraded the elevator’s security and control systems. The specialized high-speed elevator required careful coordination, technical expertise and respect for the historic structure.
The successful modernization improved reliability while helping preserve the visitor experience at one of America’s most important landmarks. Learn more about the project and Delaware Elevator’s elevator modernization services.++
Landmark and Specialty Elevator Projects
Delaware Elevator’s portfolio includes elevators serving commercial, residential, institutional and government properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and other regions.
Notable projects discussed in the Construction Executive feature include the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of the American Indian, U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium, Grand Coulee Dam and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
The company also completes specialized projects for embassies, military facilities and other secure locations. Some of these projects require employees to obtain security clearances and work with custom components or specialized elevator systems.
Whether the project involves a hotel, condominium, hospital, government facility or national landmark, Delaware Elevator applies the same focus on safety, quality and customer service.
Continuing the Delaware Elevator Legacy
Delaware Elevator has grown significantly since its Salisbury operation was established in 1946, but its guiding principles remain rooted in the company’s family-owned beginnings.
By investing in its employees, developing future elevator professionals and maintaining strong customer relationships, Delaware Elevator continues to build on the legacy created by the Meeks family.
The company’s combination of family leadership, regional service teams, in-house manufacturing and specialized industry expertise positions Delaware Elevator to serve customers and support the vertical transportation industry for generations to come.
Adapted from “Vertical Growth: Delaware Elevator,” written by Christopher Durso and published in the November 2022 edition of Construction Executive.