Elevating Testing Standards

KONE’s new elevator testing tower and labs in India create a hub for sustainable mobility solutions.

KONE India has set up a state-of-the-art R&D facility, including an elevator test tower and laboratories, to fillip their high-rise technology and innovation capabilities. The new facility is located in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, on KONE’s premises in India.

The test tower contains multiple shafts, many of which can be reconfigured for testing new high- and mid-rise solutions, and labs for elevator and escalator component testing. The facility is set up and managed by the KONE Technology Centre, which is responsible for R&D, and includes the KONE DX — the world’s first digitally connected elevator — to transport guests to the panoramic view at the top. The test tower and R&D testing processes and equipment are built for conducting various kinds of quality and reliability tests to ensure the highest safety and quality products and solutions.

KONE says it believes the testing tower will catalyze innovation, driving the development of cutting-edge elevator technologies tailored to the country’s unique urban challenges. By providing an unparalleled space for rigorous testing, innovation, iteration and refinement, the tower will lead to the creation of safer, more energy-efficient and sustainable elevator solutions. KONE says it will set new industry standards, inspire competition and ultimately benefit Indian consumers with advanced vertical-transportation (VT) options. KONE believes its testing tower marks a significant step forward in elevating the vertical mobility industry in India, fulfilling the demands of a rapidly evolving urban landscape. 

KONE’s testing tower marks a significant step forward in elevating the vertical mobility industry in India, fulfilling the demands of a rapidly evolving urban landscape. 

The company’s commitment to staying ahead in technology and design is evident in the cutting-edge laboratories and testing zones within the tower. The R&D capabilities housed in this facility empower KONE to anticipate future challenges, ensuring that it continues to set industry standards.

The testing tower will play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable and energy-efficient elevator solutions. It provides a controlled environment for rigorous testing, enabling the refinement of energy-saving technologies and materials. By simulating real-world usage and various conditions, KONE can optimize elevator systems to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. This aligns with KONE’s commitment to eco-friendly innovation, making the testing tower a catalyst for the development of greener and more efficient VT solutions.

With a rich history of elevator manufacturing for the past 40 years, KONE in India is now expanding its portfolio by venturing into escalator production (p.?). Leveraging its innovation-driven approach, KONE utilizes its engineering excellence at its world-class elevator manufacturing facility near Chennai to provide customers with cutting-edge VT solutions. The first escalator pilot batch produced at this advanced facility underwent rigorous laboratory testing, ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards. KONE’s team is confident that their escalators will exceed customer expectations in terms of quality, durability and safety.

Speaking at the inauguration, Henrik Ehrnrooth, then-president and CEO of KONE Corp., stated:

“The test tower and R&D center are set to meet the existing demand in the elevator and escalator market, as well as serve the future needs of our customers. This innovative move will bolster KONE’s presence in the global market, presenting a vast array of possibilities that will contribute to the robust growth of the elevator industry. Going forward, expanding our innovation facilities in India will present further opportunities to uphold our mission to make people’s journeys safe, convenient and reliable.”

Amit Gossain, managing director of KONE India, said:

“The test tower is a huge breakthrough in KONE India’s journey. This vests a lot of responsibility and commitment to our customers, and we aim to cater to the current and futuristic demands of the elevator industry for India and for exports. Our R&D is now empowered with in-house testing capabilities to serve low-, mid- and high-rise segments for our retail, commercial, healthcare, office and residential customers. With the new test tower and state-of-the-art laboratories, we not only serve the Indian market but also the global elevator market. Our technology team now collaborates even stronger with KONE global teams, collectively enabling us to reach even greater heights on the innovation and technology front.”

The new R&D facility is designed to receive ample sunlight and harness energy through the solar panels installed on the rooftop of the KONE manufacturing facility.

About KONE India

KONE’s presence in India dates back to 1984 and, today, it is the leading elevator company in India. Based in Chennai, KONE India serves customers all over the country through its 50-plus branches and provides sustainable People Flow® solutions for India’s rapidly growing cities. It employs more than 5,000 people in the country.

KONE’s production unit in Tamil Nadu near Chennai produces elevators for the Indian market, as well as for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It also has three training centers in Chennai, Gurgaon and Pune, where KONE’s installation engineers and field mechanics are trained to meet KONE India’s strong reputation for high quality and uncompromised safety, as well as the expectations of Indian customers, when installing and maintaining elevators and escalators. KONE’s global technology and engineering locations in Chennai and Pune are among its seven global R&D centers. These testing and research hubs support the latest technology and development of future KONE solutions.

About KONE

KONE’s mission is to improve the flow of urban life. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, KONE provides elevators, escalators and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization to add value to buildings throughout their life cycle. Through more effective People Flow, the company strives to make people’s journeys safe, convenient and reliable in taller, smarter buildings. In 2022, KONE had annual sales of EUR 10.9 billion (US$11.9 billion), and at the end of the year, more than 60,000 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. in Finland.