The History of TK Elevator

TK Elevator opens new North American headquarters as part of continued investment in innovation leadership

The three-building complex at The Battery Atlanta features 205,000 square feet of office space and includes the 420-foot-tall Innovation and Qualification Center (IQC) with the tallest elevator test tower in North America. The new headquarters will eventually be home to approximately 10 percent of TKE’s workforce in North America.

TK Elevator publishes ESG progress report

In its new ESG progress report, published in July, TK Elevator details its full spectrum of sustainable policies and activities – from resource management to the promotion of labor standards and human rights. In doing so, the company creates transparency into important progress already made in its first year as a stand-alone company, and presents its ambitious goals for the future.

TK Elevator commits to global net-zero target

In May 2021 the company sets science-based emissions targets across its entire value chain and signs up to the “Race to Zero”. By doing so, TK Elevator supports the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” campaign and commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

TK Elevator signs UN Global Compact

In March TK Elevator signs the UN Global Compact, a United Nations initiative to prevent human rights and labor rights violations, combat corruption, and promote a more sustainable future. As a signatory, TK Elevator commits to aligning all its activities and business practices with the ten official UN principles. The goals set out in these principles are identical to those in the company’s own Code of Conduct.

thyssenkrupp Elevator is now TK Elevator and launches its new brand TKE

An important step in the repositioning as an independent company: thyssenkrupp Elevator is changing its name to become TK Elevator. In February 2021, the company launched its new global brand TKE and a modern corporate design that sets an innovative tone in the industry.

Thyssenkrupp Elevator recognized for leadership in sustainability

In December 2020 the global non-profit organization CDP places thyssenkrupp Elevator on its prestigious “A List” in recognition of the company’s actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks, and create a system aimed at eliminating CO2 emissions in the long term.

Closing - new era as an independant company

TK Elevator to enter a new era as an independent company

The successfully completed acquisition by Advent International (“Advent”) and Cinven marks a new chapter in the company`s history. Together with the new owners as strategic and financial partners, TK Elevator will be able to continue with its ambitious plans to further expand its strong market positioning and technology leadership.

Beyond the pandemic: forward-looking technologies for more comfortable and secure mobility experience

With a focus on hygiene, touchless use of elevator panels and social distancing, these solutions will pave the way for further innovations in the mobility industry.

TK Elevator releases long-term carbon targets

With ambitious goals ahead, the company will continue working towards the reduction of energy consumption and the use of green energy. Greenhouse gas emissions will be cut in half by 2040.

TK Elevator launches global smart spare parts strategy

The new state-of-the-art warehouse in Madrid marks the beginning of this strategy. It reduces waiting times for elevator spare parts by 20% and saves 10% of travel by service technicians. The initiative includes a sustainability plan for recycling, emissions reduction and protection of the environment.

Over 200 elevators and escalators provided to new central China metro line

As the largest supplier of escalators for the whole project, TK Elevator enhances mobility solutions in ever growing cities with increasingly complex infrastructures.

Veröffentlichung einer Roboter-Schnittstellenplattform

Launch of robotics interface platform

The state-of-the-art interface allows robots to move freely regardless of building size or height and reinforces the commitment to creating smarter building transportation solutions through advanced engineering.

Remote Control System für Fluggastbrücken auf der inter airport Europe 2019 vorgestellt

Remote Control Systems for PBBs presented at inter airport Europe 2019

Airport Solutions presents its latest innovation, the Remote Control System, which allows passenger boarding bridges to be safely controlled by an operator at a remote post.

100-meter long escalators installed in Azerbaijan

The longest escalators ever produced in Germany bridging 48.7m in height and traveling half the earth’s circumference each year have been installed. As an industry-first, the four Baku models will help revolutionize the ability of the metro stations to cope with increasing passenger numbers.

Project SEED with increased impact around the world

Project SEED, our partnership with SOS Children's Village, was launched this year in Thailand. Through this initiative and mentorship, TK Elevator helps improving and enhancing the employability of Thailand's youth.

Mobility solutions at China Southern Airlines’ new Beijing airport base

The new project will complement China Southern Airlines’ current Guangzhou base and includes 155 elevators and 22 escalators that will improve mobility at the spectacular Beijing Daxing Airport.

Expansion in the US

Two acquisitions are strengthening TK Elevator’s position in the USA. The acquisition of Nashville Machine Elevator from Tennessee and the O’Keefe Elevator Company from Nebraska follows a period of growth and expansion for TK Elevator and its products and technologies in North America.

Success of TWIN elevators

After a large project in China requiring the installation of 24 TWIN elevator units, consisting of two independent cabins moving in each shaft, 12 TWINs are now taking people to the top in the stunning new Hekla tower in Paris.

Mobility solutions for Sydney metro

TK Elevator realizes Australia’s biggest-ever purchase of elevators and escalators for the Sydney Metro. In total, six new Sydney metro stations have been equipped with about 200 elevators and escalators.

Two new elevator product lines ‘synergy’ and ‘evolution’ for low- and mid-rise buildings in Europe

Two new elevator product lines for low- and mid-rise buildings in Europe

Both product families ‘synergy’ and ‘evolution’ save energy and provide maximum space to improve urban mobility by delivering customized mobility solutions.

HoloLinc roll out

TK Elevator rolls out the world’s first Industry 4.0 solution to transform measurement and delivery in the stairlift industry. The process between measurement and delivery is four times quicker with the special digital toolkit including mixed-reality technology and Microsoft HoloLens.

Hochmoderne Technologie für den Flughafen von Istanbul

State-of-the-art technology for Istanbul Airport

The Airport Solutions project comprises 147 passenger boarding bridges which have been delivered in just 27 months. This state-of-the-art technology will help provide seamless travel experience for 200 million passengers at the new Istanbul Grand Airport.

The next Mega Project: Hudson Yards

TK Elevator confirmed its next mega project: Up to 40 TWIN elevators will be installed at 50 Hudson Yards, saving significant space and energy while improving travel times. Furthermore, more than 100 elevator and escalator units will be installed at Hudson Yards, all featuring the industry’s first predictive maintenance system, MAX.

Launch of VR Showrooms

TK Elevator launches virtual reality showrooms across Asia and the Middle East where visitors can experience the future of urban mobility. Instead of looking at brochures, visitors can literally immerse in the new MULTI and TWIN-technology to experience the new transport solutions from the inside out.

Multiple awards for MULTI

The innovative elevator system MULTI has collected several awards such as the “Industrial Manufacturing Excellence - Innovative Product Award in China” and the “Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency” awarded by the Alliance to Save Energy.

New elevator high-rise test tower and Innovation Complex in Atlanta

TK Elevator announces new inspiring R&D and corporate facilities near SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The building will serve as new headquarters for TK Elevator Americas.

AGILE – Launch

Thanks to AGILE, passengers from TK Elevator can reach their destination faster, as building managers can group people more efficiently and allocate them to the elevators designated by floors. Passenger flows can be adjusted in real time and touchscreens as also dial-up terminals can be perfectly personalized.

Partnership with SOS children's villages

With the partnering project “SEED” young people in regions with severe youth unemployment rates shall be supported. In the first phase of Project SEED, up to 60 SOS youth in Colombia, 100 in Brazil and 130 in India will receive assistance from TK Elevator and its employees in the form of soft and basic skills training, career guidance, entrepreneurship support and real-world work experience. The aim is to help these young people successfully become employable, independent adults. The first phase of the program will last for one year.

MULTI Cabin wins German Design Award

The design cabin of the innovative MULTI elevator system has won the German Design Award 2018 in the category “Buildings and Elements”. The design award, presented by the German Design Council, is one of the internationally leading awards for groundbreaking design concepts.

Test tower: landmark of progress and innovation

TK Elevator opens Germany's highest observation deck at 232m on its test tower in Rottweil. The test tower is now full in operation.

HoloLinc: Fully-digitalized order process and enhanced customer experience

TK Elevator introduces the new HoloLinc process, which enables customers to view the stairlift solution in their own homes and get their customized solution up to 4x faster.

Here comes the future: MULTI - Launch

TK Elevator presents the first fully functional unit of the MULTI, the world’s first ropeless and horizontal moving Elevator, in the test tower in Rottweil.

New factory opened in Pune

The new plant in Pune, India, TK Elevator bundles local production and engineering skills in order to respond to specific customer needs. The aim is to promote intelligent and efficient urban mobility.

100,000 and counting

With some 100,000 escalators and moving walks installed worldwide, we’re helping improve urban mobility in cities everywhere, today and tomorrow.

Game-changing elevator service

We launch MAX, the elevator industry’s first real-time, cloud-based predictive maintenance service solution.

Reaching new heights

We hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Rottweil test tower where we’ll test the MULTI and featuring Germany’s highest viewing platform.

A new era of mobility in buildings

We present the MULTI concept, the world's first rope-free elevator.

Fostering urban mobility

We launch ACCEL, a new transportation system that helps alleviate traffic congestion at metro stations and airports.

First pitless moving walk

We launch iwalk, a radical new engineering approach to moving walks. A pitless modular concept addresses most conventional design restrictions and offers new possibilities for architects and owners alike.

Investment for the future

We open a new elevator plant in Madrid, Spain.

Flytter mennesker i One World Trade Center

Moving people at One World Trade Center

TK Elevator supplies elevators and escalators for One World Trade Center in New York City, U.S., among them the fastest elevators in the western hemisphere.

Investing in innovation

We launch our most advanced real-scale prototyping laboratory, the TK Elevator Innovation Center in Gijón, Spain.

Tallest freestanding escalator

We install the tallest freestanding escalator at Zeche Zollverein, a former coal mine industrial complex and today a UNESCO World Heritage site in Essen, Germany.

Most modern production site in China

We inaugurate the most modern production site in China for escalators and passenger boarding bridges in Zhongshan.

World-class in-house training

Seed campus, our first elevator in-house training center, opens in Madrid, Spain. Today our global training network consists of 12 locations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. This network enables our technicians to keep pace with current and future requirements.

Boarding the largest aircraft

TK Elevator supplies its first passenger boarding bridges for the Airbus A380.

Successes in service business

The company is awarded a service contract for the Sydney Opera House, Australia, and a US$50 million contract to equip Dubai International Airport with 117 passenger boarding bridges.

Expansion in Asia Pacific

A joint venture with Dongyang Elevator, South Korea, positions us for further expansion in the Asia Pacific region and leads to the establishment of a dedicated business unit in the region in 2003.

The TWIN revolution

We install the world’s first elevator with two independent cabins in one shaft at the University of Stuttgart.

New research center

TK Elevator opens its third research center in Stuttgart (Germany), in addition to centers in San Diego (U.S.) and Nice (France).

Major acquisition in South America

The acquisition of Kone operations in South America increases our impact in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Becoming an independent corporation

To address the growing importance of our elevator business, we create an independent corporation – today’s thyssenkrupp Elevator AG - under thyssenkrupp AG.

World’s longest escalator

At 100 meters long and a 30% slope, we deliver what was then the world’s longest escalator at the Namesti Miru subway station in Prague.

Major acquisition in North America

Acquiring Dover Elevators in the U.S and Canada makes us the world’s third largest elevator manufacturer.

Starting up in Asia Pacific

The launch of thyssenkrupp Elevator China and a dedicated elevator and escalator factory in Zhongshan, China, marks our entry into the Asia Pacific region.

New factory in Spain

As thyssenkrupp Elevator grows, production capacities expand and a new escalator factory starts up in northern Spain.

Entering the home solutions market

The acquisition of the Dutch chairlift manufacturer De Reus signals the start of our Home Solutions business.

Across the Atlantic

The leap across the Atlantic takes place in 1986 with the acquisition of a stake in Northern Elevator Holdings Ltd. in Toronto. With a foothold in Canada, the U.S. market gradually begins to open up.

Expansion in Europe

The most important acquisition in Germany is the takeover of M.A.N.-Aufzugbau in 1984. It marks the start of our expansion in Europe. The focus in subsequent years is on internationalization.

Our beginnings

Our elevator and escalator business dates back to the 1860s and 1880s when our predecessor companies were founded in Hamburg and Stuttgart, Germany. They develop and install the first vertical conveyor for people called Paternoster in 1890 and Germany’s first escalator in 1906. In the 1950s, former Thyssen Industrie acquires a stake in these companies.

After 1970, the acquisition of several smaller elevator manufacturers in Germany and Western Europe, combined with the construction of an elevator factory in Neuhausen near Stuttgart, leads to major developments in elevators and escalators.

SELECT YOUR COUNTRY / REGION

Go to TKE global website