Kone sets new industry standards with aesthetic choices and cutting-edge technology

Amit Gossain, Managing Director of KONE Elevator, sheds light on the dynamic shifts within India’s vertical transportation sector, emphasising the company’s pivotal role in setting new industry benchmarks.

Last year was eventful for much of India’s vertical transportation sector, particularly within construction infrastructure. How do you perceive the elevator industry’s involvement in this development?
The lift sector is demonstrating strong performance, closely tied to the real estate sector, which in turn impacts the economy significantly. With the Indian economy showing stability and real estate contributing to GDP growth, the escalator and lift industries are experiencing growth. Retail space availability is ample, and residential and commercial real estate projects are becoming more affordable, necessitating escalators, lifts, and vertical mobility solutions as integral components of a comprehensive strategy.

As vertical transportation technology evolves, there’s a noticeable shift towards considering aesthetics. How is this aspect evolving?
We’ve observed a growing demand from customers for various aesthetic options in their elevators and cars. For this reason, we’ve developed 34 designs from which clients can choose, with aesthetics becoming a key factor in the appearance of the lifts and in creating attractive entrance and exit points, particularly for homes and residential buildings. We prioritise safety alongside aesthetics, providing high-quality, well-maintained services. At Kone, we offer round-the-clock connected services, leveraging AI and emerging technologies to remotely manage and monitor lifts, receiving IoT alerts for timely maintenance before breakdowns occur. Safety is paramount for us because ensuring the safety of individuals ensures the safety of our business.

When discussing safety, particularly in the early stages of projects, elevator professionals were previously often overlooked in the planning process. How do you see this changing?
Today, there’s a notable shift in perspective. The initiation of a project underscores the importance of involving lift specialists. In addition to safety considerations, we assist clients with planning aspects such as determining the required number of lifts and optimising traffic flow. We recommend employing fewer lifts with advanced technology to enhance people’s flow. Features like the Destination Control System (DCS) eliminate the need for queues, thus improving efficiency.

Despite existing licensing practices, many older-generation elevators are still in operation. What strategies or regulations are needed to address this market?
The Uniform Lift Act outlines fundamental requirements that all lift manufacturers must meet. While some adhere to these standards, others do not. Compliance with maintenance requirements is crucial; outdated lifts must be replaced or modernised according to these standards.

How feasible is it to modernise existing elevator systems with the latest technology?
While it’s relatively straightforward to modernise lifts by replacing certain components for safety purposes, there’s a growing demand for complete replacements, particularly with Kone’s highly sought-after 24/7 connected service. 
The lift sector holds significant potential and is expanding rapidly. We focus on ensuring clients receive adequate care and access to necessary installation and maintenance services. We’re excited about the industry’s growth, which allows us to introduce numerous customer-beneficial technologies.

For more details visit:https://www.kone.com/en/

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