A 10 year contract has been signed between KONE and ProRail for the installation and maintenance of 175 new elevators, making them partners during this duration. The contract also states that KONE is one of their two preferred suppliers for this project. Within this contract, it also defines the maintenance period as 25 years.

ProRail is in charge of the construction and maintenance of the Netherlands’s national railway network. It is also responsible for managing this railway network and ensuring its security. More than 3200 employers perform their duties to make sure that 1,200,000 passengers and 100,000 barrels of goods are transported safely and reach their destination promptly every day.

According to the Project Director of ProRail, Patrick Buck, installing these elevators is a part of their 10 year plan, namely the Accessibility Implementation Plan to enhance accessibility of their stations. He also says that these elevators would make their platforms more accessible and this in turn would make travel easier and more convenient for their travelers.

Noud Veeger, EVP and Area Director of KONE for Central and North Europe was honored that KONE was selected as one of the partners as this shows the confidence ProRail has placed on KONE. He also proceeds to mention that KONE’s strengths in installation and delivery processes, maintenance methods and solutions are the factors that led to the success of this new agreement being implemented.

KONE, a global leader in the escalator and elevator industry, has acquired ASBA Mantenimientos S.L. ASBA Mantenimientos is a Spanish elevator company based. It is based in Barcelona, and is one of the largest local providers of elevator repair and maintenance. The company provides new elevator and related equipment sales and installation. They also work to help safely integrate elevator systems into existing buildings that were designed without elevator shafts.  ASBA Mantenimientos has a maintenance pool of over 1,800 elevators, and has 35 employees, including all maintenance technicians.

“This acquisition strengthens KONE’s position in Spain and helps us improve our maintenance and modernization operations in the Catalonia region,” stated Eric Maziol, Area Director and EVP of West and South Europe, as well as the Middle East for KONE.

KONE’s current operations in Spain will integrate ASBA’s maintenance base and sales force.

About KONE

KONE is one of the largest elevator and escalator companies in the world, and leads the industry. The company began in 1910, and will celebrate one hundred years of operation in 2010. KONE’s main goal is to optimize people flow and movement. They constantly work to develop and install new solutions for transporting people quickly, efficiently, and safely. Comfort also plays a large role in the design process. Elevator and escalator designs by the company help reduce waiting and lines, as well as opening access to handicapped or otherwise movement limited people that cannot climb stairs.

KONE has been providing the best elevators and escalators in the industry for a century, combined with innovation and creative solutions. They help modernize even the oldest buildings, and provide much needed maintenance or upgrades for older elevator systems. KONE understands the desires and requirements of its customers and works to adapt to new technologies and developments as quickly as possible. This is one of the reasons KONE can offer such high class service in the people movement industry.

KONE reported annual net sales at EUR 4.7 billion for 2009. They employ around 34,000 employees in all of their worldwide branches, and have plans to continue growing in the new decade. KONE will continue to strive to lead the industry in safety, innovation, and competitive elevator and escalator solutions. Class B shares for KONE are traded in Finland on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

The 2009 GOOD DESIGN award has been awarded to KONE Design because of the sleek, and creatively designed, appearance of their KONE Design Signalization Series. The KONE Design company is the first and only escalator and elevator company to have ever been given a GOOD DESIGN award in the past 60 years, and they have proved worthy of the award.

First founded back in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is now renowned everywhere, and has even become the most recognized award for design in the whole world. The GOOD DESIGN awards are given by The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies as well as the Chicago Athenaeum. The GOOD DESIGN awards are meant to highlight the greatest new designs and the best design innovations for graphics and for products which were created between 2007 and 2009.

Anne Stenros, Vice President of Design for KONE has been quoted as saying: “We are very proud once again to have received this award for our latest innovative design concept,” and “The new KONE Design signalization series represents a new perspective in modern elevator design. It is a bold jump from standard stainless steel signalizations to a new world of colors and unique graphics, which can match any kind of cabin design.”

First developed and launched in 2009, the KONE Design Signalization Series offers both durable technology and contemporary design. This Series of designs has been built to last for many decades. The panels of these designs can be modified very easily simply by changing the design or the color of the faceplate, adjusting it to fit your wants and your needs. The signalization panels will also enable the integration of the guiding information on the panel, this brings the usability to a whole new level, and this will also allow localization to accommodate the specific regulations and functions of various regions and all across various countries.

KONE received their very first ever GOOD DESIGN award back in 2008 for their innovative KONE FourSeasons™ design concept, that award made KONE the first escalator and elevator company to ever receive such a prestigious award.

KONE is once again teaming up with the illustrious building team of Sorouh, Khatib & Alami, and the Arabian Construction Company to create the new Gate Towers in Abu Dabi. KONE will be supplying a total of 41 elevators to this massive and impressive series of structures, which should see completion in the latter part of 2012.

KONE has been designing world-class elevators for over 100 years. They specialize in what they call “people flow”, a term used to describe getting people where they need to be in the most effortless way possible, and with short wait times. One of the global leaders in this industry, KONE has designed and installed elevators and escalators all over the world, and creates innovative solutions for maintenance and priority placement in ways that will maximize human traffic and comfort.

The new Gate Towers will sit at the entrance of the island of Al Reem and will create an incredible new skyline. KONE will provide three different types of elevators for the buildings: 11 KONE MonoSpace Special Platforms; 27 KONE MiniSpace elevators; and 3 KONE TranSys freight elevators. There will also be an installation of 4 KONE TravelMaster escalators.

The Gate Towers will be a part of the Gate District in SHAMS. Existing Towers 3,4 and 5 are 65-storied buildings, and Tower 7 is 22-storied. The Towers have already won the prestigious Best High Rise Award by the International Residential Property Awards.

Sorouh Real Estate developed the Towers. The architects responsible for designing the unique and commanding buildings are Khatib & Alami. Construction is being handled by the Arabian Construction Company and is being overseen by Hill International, one of the world’s largest construction and consultation firms whose reputation is impeccable.

KONE has stated that they are excited and proud to be a part of the project. Their aim is to provide the most sophisticated technology and the ultimate in comfort and movement for the people who will be living and working inside these new towers. The integrity of their craftsmanship and dedication to their goal has made them world-renowned.