KONE

KONE is a Finnish multinational corporation that specializes in the manufacture and maintenance of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, with a presence in over 60 countries, including China, United States, Germany, France, and Japan. The company was founded in 1910 by Harald Herlin, a Finnish entrepreneur, and has since become one of the largest elevator and escalator companies in the world, competing with Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Group, and ThyssenKrupp. KONE has a long history of innovation, with notable achievements including the development of the first MRL elevator and the introduction of machine room-less technology, which has been adopted by other companies such as Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric. The company has also collaborated with other industry leaders, including Siemens and Bosch, to develop new technologies and solutions.

History

KONE was founded in 1910 by Harald Herlin, who had previously worked for the Finnish State Railways. The company started as a small workshop in Helsinki, Finland, and initially focused on producing and maintaining elevators for the local market, including the Helsinki Cathedral and the Finlandia Hall. In the 1920s, KONE began to expand its operations to other countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and established partnerships with companies such as Asea and Brown, Boveri & Cie. During World War II, KONE's production was focused on supporting the Finnish war effort, including the production of military equipment and ammunition for the Finnish Army. In the post-war period, KONE continued to expand its operations, and in the 1970s, the company introduced its first microprocessor-controlled elevator, which was developed in collaboration with Intel and IBM. The company has also been involved in several notable projects, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Shanghai Tower in China, and the One World Trade Center in New York City.

Products and services

KONE offers a wide range of products and services, including elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and doors, which are designed to meet the needs of various industries, including commercial real estate, healthcare, and transportation. The company's product portfolio includes high-speed elevators, machine room-less elevators, and energy-efficient elevators, which have been installed in buildings such as the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower. KONE also provides maintenance and modernization services for existing elevators and escalators, including those manufactured by other companies such as Otis Elevator Company and Schindler Group. The company has also developed a range of smart building solutions, including destination control systems and elevators with integrated artificial intelligence, which have been implemented in buildings such as the Googleplex and the Amazon Spheres. KONE has collaborated with other companies, including Microsoft and Cisco Systems, to develop these solutions.

Operations and markets

KONE operates in over 60 countries, with a strong presence in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The company has a significant market share in countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Norway, and has a growing presence in emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil. KONE has established partnerships with local companies, including China State Construction Engineering and Hindustan Construction Company, to expand its operations in these markets. The company has also established a network of research and development centers, including facilities in Espoo, Finland, and Shanghai, China, which collaborate with universities and research institutions such as Aalto University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. KONE has also been involved in several notable projects in the Middle East, including the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Corporate affairs

KONE is a publicly traded company listed on the OMX Helsinki, and is majority-owned by the Herlin family, who have been involved in the company's management for several generations. The company's board of directors includes Henrik Ehrnrooth, Antti Herlin, and Jussi Herlin, who have also held leadership positions in other companies such as Cargotec and Konecranes. KONE has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of renewable energy and sustainable materials in its operations. The company has also been recognized for its diversity and inclusion efforts, and has been ranked as one of the best places to work by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work Institute.

Technology and innovation

KONE has a strong focus on research and development, and has invested heavily in the development of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and data analytics. The company has established partnerships with leading technology companies, including IBM, Microsoft, and Google, to develop new solutions for the elevator and escalator industry. KONE has also developed a range of innovative products, including self-climbing elevators and robotic maintenance systems, which have been recognized with awards such as the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award. The company has also been involved in several notable research projects, including the development of elevators for space exploration and vertical farming systems, which have been conducted in collaboration with universities and research institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.