While KONE collaborates with 600,000 customers worldwide and has a workforce of over 60,000 employees, we are first and foremost a family company. With a history stretching almost 114 years, it matters to us that our employees find a community at work that carries weight beyond their professional careers.
Diversity is our strength
As a company, we’re on a journey to new heights, and we know that great things can only be achieved together. That’s why inclusivity is so fundamental to our shared success.
In our industry, success begins from the understanding that our products and services are used globally by a myriad of diverse people. Hence, the variety of talent and perspectives we employ at KONE must reflect who we create for. Diversity is, in fact, a key requisite for our success.
Every member of our team contributes to a unique blend of personalities, skills, backgrounds, and experiences. It's this diversity of perspectives that drives our innovation, enhances the People Flow experience we provide, and contributes to the development of more sustainable urban environments.
Over the years, this diversity has also resulted in countless connections between KONE employees. We have seen KONE veterans racking up a 40-50-year career with us, members from different generations of the same family working together, and chance encounters growing into lifelong friendships. We are proud of these connections as they are testament to our company culture.
A commute to a lifelong friendship
Luis Garcia, senior global sales trainer, and Riku Lampinen, head of Systems Engineering, forged their friendship 15 years ago and have remained close ever since.
"I began my journey at KONE as an international trainee in Finland, not knowing anybody at my new job. Riku became like family to me. During our daily 40-minute carpool commute from Helsinki to Hyvinkää, we discussed everything under the sun."
Both avid sports enthusiasts, they share a love for attending games and being active in an array of sports such as basketball, football, wall climbing, snowboarding, biking, karting and, remarkably, samba. "Riku has a knack for samba," Luis notes with a smile.
Their years of friendship have given rise to many memorable moments. "Once, I took it upon myself to organize a pre-Christmas party, a concept unknown in Spain, and it turned out to be quite the adventure,” Luis recalls. “I also delivered a speech in Finnish at Riku’s wedding, much to everyone's amusement. One particularly funny memory involves my move to a neighborhood called Kallio in Helsinki; my new neighbors were quite rowdy and I persuaded Riku to have a word with them. It says a lot about Riku’s personality that he successfully intervened and even managed to befriend the neighbors!"
Their bond deepened after Luis introduced one of his friends, a.k.a. Riku’s future wife, to him. The two began dating and eventually tied the knot. Today, Luis is godfather to their son and despite residing in Madrid, Spain, the families make it a priority to reunite two or three times each year. In addition to the friendship with Riku, Luis's connection to Finland remains strong as he is married to a Finn.
"What I value most about KONE is the incredible work environment and my colleagues. I owe a great deal to KONE for bringing me close to Riku and his loved ones, who have become like a second family to me in Finland," Luis concludes.
To show his appreciation for their years-long friendship, we gave Luis the opportunity to surprise Riku with a fun day of activities. Check out how it all went down!
Friendship on second sight
Sirpa Ihalmo has been with KONE for sixteen years. She oversees Sales Management development programs – the best job in the world, according to her. "I have the privilege of interacting with the most talented and innovative minds, individuals who guide us to success," she declares. Originally from Hyvinkää, Finland, she holds KONE in high regard and has a special respect for its familial atmosphere and dependable ethos.
Jaana Salonen, a senior HR specialist for payroll, shares Sirpa's sentiment, and the two became fast friends when their paths crossed at work.
“I joined KONE at a challenging time, and Jaana immediately extended a warm welcome to me, making me feel at home from day one. She is like a ray of sunshine in any room. Jaana’s helpful, compassionate nature and approachability make her an irreplaceable friend – but it’s her impeccable sense of humor that will always be her standout quality,” Sirpa observes.
When they first met at KONE, Jaana had an odd sense of déjà vu that she could not quite put her finger on. It took a while to realize that their mutual passion for the music group Il Divo had brought them together previously; Jaana had spotted Sirpa on the big screen during an Il Divo concert! Since then, they’ve traveled the world and attended numerous shows together, often securing front row seats and becoming familiar faces to the band.
Together, they share a treasure trove of memories, including organizing KONE family Christmas parties in Hyvinkää, attended by over a thousand guests. Sirpa is confident that their friendship will endure long after they retire. "Friendships are the spice of life," she sums up. "I am grateful to KONE for bringing us together."
Sirpa got the opportunity to surprise Jaana – check out their special day where laughter was in no short supply!