KONE (pronounced koh-nay), a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, celebrated the grand opening ceremony of their America’s development center in Allen with a ribbon cutting.
Larry Wash, executive vice president of KONE Americas, was joined on stage by Allen Mayor Stephen Terrell and KONE Board Chairman Antti Herlin. The backdrop was the new facility that is complete after more than two years of planning, development and construction. Members from Allen City Council and the Allen Economic Development Corporation sat in the audience.
“The entire Allen community has rallied around us,” Wash began. He then spoke about the new facility and announced the launch of their newest elevator called the KONE Monospace 500 that travels up to 450 feet per minute.
Three buildings make-up the 173,952-square-foot complex, including a 129-foot tall test tower with six elevator shafts that will be an evaluation site for products and prototypes before they go into production; an offering tower, where project engineering, research and development takes place; and, a light manufacturing unit “where the elevators come to life,” Wash said.
“Allen Economic Development Corporation was given this property and they have diligently worked with KONE on producing this economic development,” said Mayor Terrell. KONE AllenPlace is bringing 80 new jobs to the city, however, a total of 250 KONE employees will work at this Allen location. Another branch in Coppell houses the remaining 100 employees based in the DFW Metroplex.
Mayor Terrell ended his speech with, “If you haven’t ridden the KONE MonoSpace 500 elevator, it feels like your not even moving!…Thank you KONE for choosing Allen, Texas, as your choice city.”
Laurie McMann from Congressman Sam Johnson’s office presented KONE executives with two U.S. flags that were flown over the United States Capitol. Then, on behalf of Senator Van Taylor, Denise Voss presented them with two Texas flags that were flown over the Texas State Capitol, cheekily stating, “The Texas flag is similar to the U.S. flag, except bolder and better.”
During the complex’s tour, one thing became clear, KONE is dedicated to People Flow®. People Flow means people moving smoothly, safely, comfortably, and without waiting in and between buildings. Everything the company has produced and continues to produce showcase their dedication to people and their clients.
Random facts about KONE:
In 2018, KONE will complete the build of the world’s fastest and highest traveling double-decker elevators at Kingdom Tower, the tallest tower in the world in construction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.- KONE’s UltraRope™ is 70% stronger than its competitors wiring.
- First in world to create Machine Room-Less (MRL) elevator technology
- Largest elevator and escalator client is China
- #2 or #3 elevator and escalator company in the Americas
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For more information about KONE, visit KONE.us.
