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Stay on Corporate siteApril 2008 marked an important milestone in KONE’s history as the company delivered its 200,000th machine-room-less KONE MonoSpace® elevator (known as KONE EcoSpace® in North America). Fast adoption of the new technology within the industry boosted the solution’s breakthrough in the mid-1990s. Since its launch, the machine-room-less (MRL) elevator has become the industry standard.
“With this innovation, KONE managed to create a technology, which changed the whole industry. At the time, no one could have expected how successful it would become. Now, ten years later, there are no doubts about its success,” says Heikki Leppänen, EVP and Director for new equipment at KONE. “With its multiple advantages, the machine-room-less concept offers a win-win situation for all parties. However, we are mostly proud of the fact that it set a new standard in the industry when it comes to Eco-efficiencyTM.”
The eco-efficient choice
The cornerstone of the machine-room-less concept’s green credentials lies in the KONE EcoDisc® hoisting machine, which is a permanent magnet gearless motor. It consumes 70 percent less energy than a hydraulic drive and 40 percent less than a geared traction elevator drive, thus making it the most eco-efficient solution on the market today. In addition to the energy-efficiency advantages, EcoDisc®’s other features include the lack of oil as well as a compact and durable design based on recyclable materials. These benefits ensure that the owners and operators of KONE MonoSpace® can also do their part for the environment.
Supporting sustainable development, KONE MonoSpace® is an optimal choice for urban areas. The machine-room-less elevator concept eliminates the need for a space-consuming machine room by putting the hoisting mechanism in the shaft itself. This results in savings in both space and money as the highest floor of a building can be used for alternative purposes. The elimination of the machine room also provides more room for architectural freedom.
Since its commercial launch, the KONE MonoSpace® elevator family has cumulatively saved the electricity production equivalent of a typical power plant. This figure represents avoiding the consumption of 2,000,000 barrels of oil, or the emissions of 100,000 cars driving the earth’s circumference.
The number one innovation in the industry
Thanks to the early adoption of the new concept, the market share for machine-room-less solutions has increased steadily worldwide. Due to its pioneering role, KONE has managed to develop and sell a wide range of machine-room-less solutions, and is nowadays the leading supplier of MRL equipment. All KONE elevators, from freight elevators to luxury high-rise solutions, are based on the same technology.
It is estimated that by the end of 2010, two-thirds of the world’s new elevators will feature machine-room-less technology; further proof that the machine-room-less concept is as valuable today as it was when it was launched over a decade ago.
About KONE
KONE is one of the world’s leading elevator and escalator companies. It offers the best people flow experience by developing and delivering solutions that enable people to move smoothly, safely, comfortably and without waiting from one place to another. KONE also provides maintenance services for automatic building doors. In 2007, KONE had annual net sales of EUR 4.1 billion and over 32,500 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki in Finland.
www.kone.com
For further information, please contact:
Minna Mars, SVP, Corporate Communications & IR, tel. +358 (0)204 75 4501
Read more about KONE MonoSpace® at www.kone.com