KONE is a globally recognized elevator and escalator manufacturer and a leading force in smart buildings and People Flow management. With its energy-efficient technology, smart control, and digital services, KONE is widely used in residences, commercial buildings, airports, hospitals, and super-tall buildings.

This article introduces KONE's brand history, core technologies, flagship products, and how it became a major player in the global vertical transportation industry.

What Is KONE?

KONE Corporation is one of the world's largest providers of elevator, escalator, and automatic door solutions, headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

KONE is dedicated to improving the flow of people within buildings. Beyond elevators, escalators, and automatic doors, KONE also offers installation, modernization, maintenance, and smart building integration services.

KONE's products and services currently reach more than 70 countries and regions worldwide, supported by a global service network covering all types of buildings.

Brand History

KONE was founded in 1910, originally as a mechanical equipment company.

In 1924, KONE began focusing on the elevator business and gradually grew into an international brand.

In the latter half of the 20th century, KONE actively expanded into global markets, continuously strengthening its market competitiveness through technology development and international acquisitions.

In recent years, KONE has focused on smart buildings, people flow management, energy-efficient technology, and digital services, becoming an important partner in smart city development.

How Does KONE Improve Building Efficiency?

KONE believes that an elevator is more than just a device for moving up and down, it's part of a building's overall people flow system. As a result, the company has long invested in:

By integrating hardware and software, KONE improves a building's overall operating efficiency and user experience.

KONE's Core Technologies

Over the years, KONE has continued to invest in smart and energy-efficient technologies. Its main technologies include:

1. MonoSpace Machine-Room-Less and EcoDisc Motor Technology

This was a revolutionary invention that changed the global elevator industry. In 1996, KONE pioneered the machine-room-less elevator system, using the flat, highly efficient EcoDisc motor to install the drive machine directly inside the shaft, eliminating the need for a traditional large rooftop machine room.

This technology not only freed up significant design space for buildings but also saves up to 50% more energy than traditional traction machines.

2. UltraRope Ultra-Lightweight Hoisting Technology

UltraRope is one of KONE's most iconic innovations. Traditional elevators use steel ropes, whose weight increases significantly as building height increases. UltraRope instead uses a carbon fiber core with a high-friction coating, dramatically reducing weight.

Key advantages: Much lighter than traditional steel ropes, lower energy consumption, reduced rope vibration, longer service life, and well-suited for super-tall buildings.

This technology overcomes the limitations of traditional steel ropes in super-tall buildings and is a key advantage for KONE in the global super-tall building market.

3. DX Class Digital Experience

DX Class is KONE's next-generation digital elevator platform. Beyond basic transportation functions, it can integrate IoT, cloud services, an open API platform, smart building systems, and multimedia information displays, making the elevator part of a smart building.

4. People Flow Intelligence

People Flow Intelligence is a core concept KONE has developed over the long term, using elevators, escalators, automatic doors, sensors, and AI analysis together to manage the flow of people throughout a building.

Key advantages: Improved transportation efficiency, reduced waiting times, less congestion, and a better overall building experience.

5. 24/7 Connected Services

KONE has incorporated IoT technology into equipment maintenance. The system monitors equipment status around the clock, analyzing operating conditions, fault alerts, and component wear to help maintenance teams schedule service in advance and improve equipment reliability.

KONE's Main Products

KONE offers a full range of vertical transportation products, including:

KONE also provides elevator modernization and long-term maintenance services.

Notable Applications of KONE Elevators

KONE equipment is widely used in: super-tall office buildings, luxury residences, commercial office buildings, department stores, hotels, hospitals, airports, subway stations, and public buildings.

With its complete product line and smart building integration capabilities, KONE can provide comprehensive people flow management solutions tailored to different building needs.

KONE's Brand Values

KONE has long emphasized the following core values:

Innovation

KONE continues to invest in smart buildings, digital platforms, and super-tall elevator technology.

Sustainability

KONE is one of the world's leading elevator brands in energy efficiency and sustainability, continuously reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions across the product lifecycle.

People Flow

KONE introduced the "People Flow" concept, emphasizing the optimization of how people move within buildings, not just providing elevator equipment.

Digitalization

Through cloud, IoT, and API platforms, KONE integrates elevators into smart building management systems.

Why Has KONE Become a Global Leader?

KONE has maintained its market competitiveness through the following key strengths:

These strengths have helped KONE maintain an important position in the global elevator market.

Conclusion

From a traditional elevator manufacturer to a smart building solutions provider, KONE continues to drive innovation and development in vertical transportation technology.

Through technologies such as UltraRope, DX Class, People Flow, and 24/7 Connected Services, KONE has not only improved elevator operating efficiency but also redefined how buildings manage the flow of people. Today, KONE is an important partner for residential, commercial, and super-tall buildings worldwide, continuing to provide innovative vertical transportation solutions for smart cities and sustainable buildings.

Brand Profile

Company Name KONE Corporation
Founded 1910
Headquarters Espoo, Finland
Main Products Elevators, escalators, moving walks, automatic doors
Main Market More than 70 countries and regions worldwide (with broader coverage through partnerships and service networks)
Brand Positioning A global leader in smart building and vertical transportation solutions