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KONE has the largest and fastest elevators in the tallest building in India.”
Interviews- May 31,24
In this interview with Pratap Padode, Editor-in-Chief, Smart Manufacturing & Enterprises (SME), Amit Gossain, MD, KONE Elevator India, highlights the importance of safety and sustainability in the elevators and escalators industry, along with new growth opportunities.
With the Government of India planning to invest $1.4 trillion in infrastructure over the next five years, the demand for elevators and escalators is expected to grow manifold. As a result, both domestic and international players are eyeing to increase their share in this growing market. India is an extremely important market for KONE and is the second largest market for elevators in the world after China, says Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE Elevator India. In this interview with Pratap Padode, Editor-in-Chief, Smart Manufacturing & Enterprises (SME), Gossain highlights on the importance of safety and sustainability in the industry, along with new growth opportunities.
KONE India has completed 40 years in the country. How do you see the journey of the company over the years?
India is an extremely important market for KONE. It is the second largest market for elevators in the world after China. To strengthen economy and fuel growth, the government of India (GoI) has introduced several initiatives that will expand our market potential. Some initiatives include Smart Cities, Affordable Housing for All, and Make in India. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is the largest in India and in South and South East Asia, Pacific and Middle East, designed to meet the growing customer demand. We have already been producing elevators in India for the last 40 years and are extremely proud of our achievements; including the opening of the Chennai facility. To meet the demand of the market and ensure strong supply in India and for exports, we have started manufacturing and assembling escalators locally for the domestic market, as well as to export to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The strong supply in India also strengthens and diversifies our global supply, and with the production in India, we will be able to serve our customers in India and other export markets.
KONE is also proud of manufacturing the world’s largest elevator that is present in the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. It is a landmark building with 110 KONE elevators and 78 escalators. The tallest buildings in all four regions in India run with KONE elevators. KONE has the largest and fastest elevators in India in the tallest building in India.
How does the growth of the real estate sector translate into the demand for elevators and escalators?
The growth phase of Indian infrastructure has been truly remarkable. Our government's focus on infrastructure development, coupled with favourable policies and initiatives, has accelerated growth across various sectors. GoI has set a target of investing $1.4 trillion in infrastructure over the next five years. Infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, airports, seaports, smart cities, and digital connectivity have witnessed significant progress, bridging the gaps and enhancing the overall socio-economic development of the country. This transformation has set the stage for a new era of opportunities and possibilities in India.
KONE India has been contributing to ‘Make in India’ with our indigenous state-of-the-art factory in Chennai. The factory, powered by our technology and innovation centers in Chennai and Pune, produces elevators and escalators to cater not just to the Indian market but also for exports.
It is estimated that 20-30% of the installed elevators in India are 25 years old. What kind of opportunities does it present to KONE?
The large number of aging elevators in India presents a significant market opportunity for KONE to expand our presence through modernising these elevators to ensure safety for end users.
We identified that a significant portion of these aging elevator are in many tier 1 and tier 2 markets. KONE offers modernisation solutions that enhance safety, energy efficiency, and performance of these aging elevators. We ensure that they comply with current regulations and standards. Safety standards evolve over time, and older elevators may not meet current safety requirements. So, KONE offers safety upgrades and enhancements to ensure compliance with regulations and improve passenger safety.
After its foray into escalator manufacturing in Chennai, KONE India recently delivered its first consignment. How do you see the market for escalators in India? What are your plans to scale up the manufacturing capabilities?
To meet the market demand, we have started manufacturing and assembling escalators locally for the domestic market, as well as for exports.
Having delivered the first escalator to our customer, F5 Realtors (one of the leading real estate companies in Pune), KONE India intends to build on the momentum by delivering customised product range that is on par with global quality standards. We plan to leverage our Indian manufacturing unit, bolstered with innovative technology and the world-class escalator testing facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai to provide world class solutions to our customers.
What steps are being taken by KONE India to reduce carbon footprint?
Sustainability is a key design principle in all our innovations. Our products, services and processes have a significant role in advancing climate action. We have become a leader in sustainability through our comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to environmental responsibility, technological innovation, and social impact. In our Indian manufacturing facility, we use smart technologies and a green vehicle fleet to minimise emissions and maximise efficiency. The facility also features water recycling and rainwater harvesting systems, as well as solutions to conserve energy, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and maximize indoor air quality – all in accordance with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) criteria. We are a “Platinum rated factory”.
KONE is the first in the industry to achieve carbon neutral manufacturing units globally. KONE’s carbon neutral factory milestone was reached 18 months ahead of the set target date showcasing our dedication to the climate pledge and ensuring best-in-class supply chain operations globally.
What are the key challenges faced by elevator and escalator manufacturers in India? How can we overcome them?
Keeping up with evolving safety and regulatory standards can be challenging. Manufacturers must ensure that their products meet all local and national regulations, which may require continuous updates and modifications to their designs and manufacturing processes.
The elevator and escalator industry in India is highly competitive, with both domestic and international players vying for market share. Manufacturers must differentiate themselves through product innovation, service quality, and customer satisfaction to stay ahead of the competition. Manufacturers should invest in training programs to develop a skilled workforce capable of handling installation, maintenance, and repair tasks efficiently. This may involve partnering with vocational schools, technical institutes, and certification programs to attract and retain talent. For example, KONE India in association with Chitkara University in Punjab offers a diploma in Vertical Transportation that opens the door of students who wish to pursue a career in elevator and escalator industry.
Safety in high-rise buildings has been in the spotlight in recent times. What steps need to be taken by builders and elevator manufacturers to enhance the safety features in high rise buildings?
To enhance safety in high-rise buildings, both builders and elevator manufacturers need to take proactive steps to ensure that the elevator systems meet the highest safety standards. Builders must ensure that their high-rise buildings comply with all relevant building codes and safety standards related to elevators and escalators. This includes following regulations on elevator size, capacity, speed, emergency procedures, and fire safety.
Elevator manufacturers should design and manufacture elevators with advanced safety features to mitigate risks and enhance passenger safety. This may include features such as redundant braking systems, emergency lighting, automatic rescue devices, and anti-climbing protection. Also, we need to emphasise on the incorporation of the Lift Act and regulations that need to be followed across India.
What are the growth plans for KONE India in the coming years?
KONE's growth plans in India involves a combination of market expansion, product innovation, service enhancement, partnerships, and investment in manufacturing and operations to capitalise on the opportunities presented by India's dynamic construction and urbanisation trends.
Today, KONE India has 50+ branches to cater to the ever-evolving needs of the customers, to strengthen service network and capabilities across India to provide timely maintenance, modernisation, and repair services for its existing installations. We also have strong distributors in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka managed from India.
As a part of our strategic expansion plans, we have bought more land adjacent to current factory that will serve as the foundation for the expansion of KONE's manufacturing unit in Chennai. This expansion underscores KONE's dedication to enhancing its manufacturing capabilities for the growing markets in India, and for exports.
KONE Elevator
KONE India
Amit Gossain
elevators
escalators
tallest building in India
infrastructure Investment
Pratap Padode
Smart Manufacturing & Enterprises
sustainability
Smart Cities
Make in India
Indian Green Building Council
Chitkara University
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