Sebastian Zhang, maintenance manager at KONE has a vast experience working on different maintenance projects. Starting as an escalator maintenance specialist in the KONE research center in Kunshan, China he couldn’t have predicted the path that lay ahead of him.
This unusual career took the mechanical engineer from the depths of the earth in the mining industry in Australia, to the top of some of the world's tallest buildings. After five years in Kunshan, Sebastian and his wife decided to relocate their family all the way to Finland as Sebastian was to join the KONE Technology and Innovation (KTI) team.
“I’ve always been excited to move to new places and take on different roles. It is extremely rewarding to have international experience. Working with different people and understanding their perspectives has helped me in developing maintenance work to fit various cultural backgrounds. This diversity is extremely useful in my job,” Sebastian highlights.
KONE’s maintenance development team has members from China, India, Finland, and USA. Working closely with them has given Sebastian a deeper understanding of how the same job can be performed differently across cultures.
“For example, in China and India our technicians carry their tools in a backpack and travel by bike or public transport. For entrapment cases they need to arrive on site within 30 minutes. There is no time to find a parking space for a car. We must design the maintenance method and tools so that our technicians can do all the elevator maintenance work on time with the tools they have,” Sebastian explains.
Striving for efficient and sustainable maintenance
Currently based in Hyvinkää, Finland, as a senior maintenance specialist for advanced people flow solutions, Sebastian works with multiple ongoing projects assessing the impact of design changes to the maintenance of elevators. As an example, Sebastian mentions a new elevator electrification system that has 4G connectivity.
“This has significantly changed the way we do elevator maintenance. We can do software updates, checks and troubleshooting remotely over the cloud. Being able to continuously monitor elevator conditions enables new maintenance capabilities that make our elevators more reliable and safer than ever before.”
Safety is a core principle at KONE that we never compromise on.
“I always look for opportunities to make maintenance more efficient and more sustainable, while ensuring the safety and quality of our work and products. Collaboration with my team and other departments at KONE is key, as we share knowledge and discuss improvements,” he explains.
KONE's elevators and escalators can have a lifespan of several decades. Regular inspections and maintenance done by trained experts is crucial to ensure their longevity. Embracing technological advancements like connectivity significantly improves maintenance efficiency.
This is something that Sebastian has witnessed first-hand. In the ten years he has worked at KONE, digitalization has transformed the work of a technician. Today, modern tools and new software like Technician's AI Assistant help KONE technicians diagnose issues more accurately and perform maintenance tasks more effectively, making the job easier and more meaningful. This enhanced service is also much appreciated by customers.
Driven by change, new opportunities, and great colleagues
Sebastian has been involved in new projects and products from early development to market release, and he is excited to see them being used by our customers and receiving good feedback.
“What I enjoy most is getting to see and use our new KONE solutions like KONE Office Flow, KONE Lane, Remote Service, KONE 24/7 Connect and Dynamic Maintenance Planning before they hit the market. I also get first-hand information about how our customers feel about our products around the world. I know my work contributes to the efficient people flow of cities for a long time.”
In an international company like KONE, change is constant, and Sebastian feels encouraged and motivated to try new things.
“Exciting projects give me energy and challenges keep me on my toes. This is how I learn new things and it wouldn’t be possible without support from colleagues. Each time I’ve moved jobs or relocated within KONE I’ve felt supported by my team members and managers,” Sebastian says.
Change, new opportunities, and a great team are all a source of inspiration, and the reason why Sebastian is still working at KONE after ten years.
“As a father of two, I have also appreciated the flexibility and the support, which have allowed me to manage both work and family life without obstacles.”
Having kids has also made Sebastian think about their future.
“For me it is important that we at KONE develop sustainable solutions for people to use for generations to come. Maintenance plays a huge role.”
Sebastian’s curiosity to embrace new roles recently led him to participate in a professional photo shoot when he was asked to represent KONE's ambitious new strategy, Rise. This unique opportunity is something he says he will remember forever.
“The photoshoot was a new experience for me. Seeing the set-up and the team working behind the scenes was impressive. The preparation, lighting, and camera work were fascinating. I might even explore a career in filming someday,” Sebastian laughs.