KONE implements escalator modernization program with Sea-Tac Airport

KONE has been awarded an order for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Terminal Escalator Modernization Project. Serving the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington area, KONE will be providing a total of 44 escalators in the airport beginning in late July 2011. The project is expected to be completed in June 2013.

In addition to the implementation of two new escalators, 42 existing units will be replaced or modernized including 10 with KONE EcoMod®. KONE has partnered with Turner Construction Company to develop a plan that will minimize disruption to the facility and end users while maximizing energy efficiency to reduce environmental impact.

“When you go to the airport you expect the escalators to work,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Bill Bryant. “This project is long overdue. It will cut costly repair bills, and increase our energy efficiency.”

The new escalators will have more efficient drive systems and features that have the capability to adjust the power demand and speed of the escalators based on load and usage. This is expected to improve energy efficiency by 20 percent over the existing escalators. The new equipment is expected to save on annual repair costs, reduce maintenance downtime and improve customer service.

“We are excited to continue our forty-one year partnership with Sea-Tac,” said Vance Tang, EVP and Area Director of KONE Americas. “By choosing our solutions and maintaining the service on all equipment, we can ensure the best safety and quality for the passengers traveling through the airport. It’s important to us to always provide the best service for our customers and the millions of people being moved by our products daily.”

KONE escalators are an energy-efficient choice for moving high volumes of people between different levels of the airport. The equipment offers a smooth and quiet ride along with a step chain that never requires oil. The KONE EcoMod® solution is an innovative and systematic approach to replacing the entire inner workings of an escalator without removing the existing truss. Implementing these KONE solutions in the airport offers Sea-Tac the best solution to meet the airport’s needs.

KONE has extensive experience working with the airport industry including successful installation in each of the ten busiest airports in the United States. Partnerships include McCarran International Airport, San Diego International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport.
The order was booked in Q1 2011.

About KONE

KONE is one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry. The company has been committed to understanding the needs of its customers for the past century, providing industry-leading elevators, escalators and automatic building doors as well as innovative solutions for modernization and maintenance. The company’s objective is to offer the best people flow experience by developing and delivering solutions that enable people to move smoothly, safely, comfortably and without waiting in buildings in an increasingly urbanizing environment. In 2010, KONE had annual net sales of EUR 5 billion and approximately 33,800 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd in Finland.

www.kone.com