Sparks and Achievements

TK Elevator (TKE) photographer Ron Acord has a knack for capturing moments, including this one showing a welder refining pieces of steel for elevator parts at TKE’s North America manufacturing facility in Middleton, Tennessee, a few months ago. If something big is happening for TKE, such as the grand opening of its North American headquarters and test tower at the Battery Atlanta (“Game Changer,” ELEVATOR WORLD, April 2022), Acord is sure to be there. While a professional doing his or her job is a simple, everyday moment, this particular image reflects a long, accomplished history that continues to evolve. Originally built in 1969, TKE’s Middleton plant employs approximately 850 people who make elevator structural components, counterweight fillers, control systems, cab platform systems and destination dispatch (DD) kiosks, among other things. In fact, the DD kiosks in Manhattan’s One World Trade Center were manufactured by TKE in Middleton.

The facility is a big contributor to TKE’s sustainability initiatives, being recognized in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Energy with a Better Project Award for achieving a 35% reduction of natural gas used in its structural paint line that cures coatings on elevator parts. The year prior, the plant earned its ISO 50001 certification, reaffirming its standing as one of the most sustainable elevator factories in the world. The factory achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council way back in 2015 (EW, June 2015). TKE Manager of Public Relations Dennis Van Milligen tells EW the Middleton facility is hiring. Approximately 12 jobs were open during May.