Vertical Transportation – Walker Consultants

Designing in a Shifting Elevator Industry

Walker Consultants — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:58:20 +0000

What the KONE–TK Elevator Merger Means for New Construction

Decisions made early in design have long-term implications. A recent shift in the elevator industry is poised to influence how those decisions are made.

The Acquisition: What Has Happened

Announced on April 29th, the acquisition of TK Elevator (TKE) by KONE Elevator Company (KONE) merges the engineering and technical resources of two (2) of the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturers, creating the largest elevator company in the world.

Early announcements have focused on the commercial aspects of the acquisition, the creation of the world’s largest elevator manufacturer, and the potential pricing pressure that this may have on the other major elevator manufacturers throughout the world.

Expanded Design Opportunities Through Combined Technology

From an R&D and technology standpoint, the combined engineering resources of these two companies are significant and complementary.

Each manufacturer gains access to previously independent technologies, particularly in the premium high-rise market.

For design teams, these complementary product offerings means access to a broader and more flexible set of solutions available through a single manufacturer. A few examples include, but are not limited, to the following:

TKE now has access to KONE’s “Ultra Rope” Suspension Technology for high rise applications allowing for greater travel distances, reduced suspended hoist machine loads, reduced power consumption, etc.
KONE now has access to TKE’s proven TWIN® Elevator Technology (uncoupled double deck technology) for improved efficiency and traffic handling over conventional double deck elevators in certain applications.
KONE now has access to TKE’s State-of-the-Art “Ropeless” Elevator Technology known as Multi® which has recently been certified by Liftinstituut in Europe for vertical passenger transport.

Considerations for Low- and Mid-Rise Projects

In the low- and mid-rise “value” and “commodity” level markets, Walker believes that there is a greater degree of product “overlap” between KONE and TKE.

In our opinion, we do not see any significant “technical” advantages of one manufacturers product over the other and we expect to see some product consolidation over the next 18 to 24 months.

Certain “architectural” and “structural” benefits related to various product “configurations” in a “Compact Gearless” hoist machine configuration as compared to a Machine Room Less (MRL) hoist machine configuration can be accomplished by either manufacturer’s products.

At this early stage, Walker does not have any additional information on the consolidation and/or phasing out of either manufacturer’s products.

Escalators and Moving Walks

Similarly, with respect to each manufacturer’s escalator and moving walk products, Walker Consultants does not have any additional information on the consolidation and/or phasing out of either manufacturer’s products.

What This Means for Your Projects

While many details are still emerging, this merger has the potential to influence:

How vertical transportation systems are designed and specified
The range of technologies available for complex, high-rise, and ultra high-rise buildings
Product availability and standardization over the next several years

Design teams should remain aware of how these changes may affect both current projects in development and future planning efforts.

Looking Ahead

Walker Consultants is actively monitoring this situation and remains in communication with strategic leaders at both organizations. As more information becomes available, we will continue to share insights to support informed design decisions.

As this merger progresses toward completion in the second quarter of 2027, the full impact on product offerings and system design will become clearer. In the meantime, understanding the direction of the industry can help position your projects for long-term success.

A Changing Elevator Landscape for Existing Buildings

Walker Consultants — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:29:23 +0000

What the KONE–TK Elevator Acquisition Means for Existing and Prospective Building Owners

The elevator industry is undergoing a significant shift that will directly impact building owners, operators, and anyone responsible for vertical transportation (VT) systems.

As this transition unfolds, for the ongoing health of the VT systems in your building, it is important to understand: What is changing? Why does it matter? And what should you be prepared for?

The Acquisition: What Has Happened

Expanded Technology and Product Access

From an R&D and technology standpoint the combined engineering resources of these two companies are significant and complementary.

Each manufacturer gains access to “singular” technologies particularly in the premium sector high rise elevator market.

These complementary product offerings means access to nearly double the number of vertical transportation solutions through a “single” manufacturer providing robust, resilient solutions for the most complex buildings worldwide.

What This Means for Existing Buildings

For modernization and adaptive reuse of “typical” existing buildings, Walker Consultants anticipates a significant degree of product “overlap” between KONE and TKE.

A couple of technical advantages to note:

TKE will have access to KONE’s “Ultra Rope” Suspension Technology for high rise applications allowing for greater travel distances, reduced suspended hoist machine loads, reduced electrical loads, etc.
For “underserved and underperforming” buildings, KONE will have access to TKE’s proven TWIN® Elevator Technology (uncoupled double deck technology) for improved efficiency and traffic handling, which can replace existing single deck elevators easier than retrofitting conventional double deck elevators.

In terms of each manufacturer’s standard quality product lines, Walker does not see any particular benefits of one manufacturer’s product over the other and we expect to see some product consolidation and/or phasing out of certain products over the next 18 to 24 months. This could negatively impact serviceability expediting “obsolescence” due to consumption of current parts inventories and accelerating modernization timelines.

Remaining service life of existing equipment will require additional attention to detail with respect to building portfolio acquisitions and disposals in conjunction with purchase and/or sales prices of real estate portfolio assets.

Anticipated Changes to Maintenance Agreements

Walker expects that the greatest amount of consolidation will happen to current preventive maintenance portfolios.

While specific consolidation plans have not yet been released, we expect clients will receive a new preventive maintenance agreement to be issued in about 10-12 months, as this merger is completed, that will include new terms with respect to equipment coverage, obsolescence, and commercial terms, etc.

For our clients whose current preventive maintenance agreement will expire prior to that, there may be a need to negotiate a temporary extension of your current maintenance agreement or develop a comprehensive maintenance agreement that protects your interests and provides continuity during this transition.

What You Should Be Thinking About Now

While many details are still emerging, this is an important moment to take a proactive approach:

Review the status and expiration timeline of your current maintenance agreements
Be prepared for changes to contract terms and service structures
Consider how evolving product offerings may impact future modernization, capital planning decisions, and/or acquisition or disposal of real estate portfolio assets

Our Commitment to You

Walker Consultants is actively monitoring this situation and remains in communication with strategic leaders at both companies. As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates and guidance to help you navigate these changes with clarity.

This merger will reshape the elevator industry—but with the right insight and planning, it can also present opportunities to improve system performance and long-term value.

Think Elevators Aren’t Safe? Think Again.

Walker Consultants — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:08:48 +0000

Elevators are one of the safest forms of transportation.

In the United States, people take about 18 billion trips on elevators each year, yet there are only around one injury per every million rides with the majority of those occurring during maintenance and inspections, not to passengers. Behind every smooth elevator ride is a world of clever engineering, maintenance, and inspections that keep everything running safely. Let’s explore how elevators are designed with redundant safety systems, and what our vertical transportation consultants do to make sure those systems stay in top shape.

1. Multiple Ropes and Double Bottom Cylinders = Built-In Redundancy

Most passenger elevators fall into two main categories: Traction and Hydraulic. Hydraulic elevators utilize cylinders with double bottom encasements to contain the hydraulic fluid in the event of a failure to the cylinder. Modern passenger traction elevators are suspended by no less than three steel wire ropes, though most use anywhere from four to eight ropes. Depending on the size of the ropes, a single rope may be strong enough to hold the entire elevator car with a full passenger load. In short, both hydraulic and traction elevators rely on redundant safety features to ensure passenger safety.

2. Safeties To Stop the Elevator If It Over Speeds or Moves When It Shouldn’t

Traction elevators have additional built-in safety features to prevent them from free falling down the hoistway in the event of a catastrophic failure. They have a governor that uses centrifugal force to sense an overspeed condition to engage the safeties and stop the elevator gently and securely. Newer elevators also utilize an emergency braking system that stops the elevator if it senses the unintended movement of the elevator.

3. Shock Absorbers in The Pit

Even if all else failed (which is incredibly unlikely), elevators are equipped with buffers in the pit. Depending on the rated speed of the elevator the buffers will use some combination of springs and oil dampers to soften the impact in an emergency. These are similar in function to the shock absorbers in your car but engineered for the weights and impacts that may be experienced with elevators.

4. Maintenance: The Unsung Hero of Elevator Safety

All these safety systems rely on expert maintenance and inspections. That’s where Vertical Transportation Consultants come in. They work with building owners and elevator service providers to:

Evaluate wear and tear on critical components
Evaluate maintenance levels of the equipment
Confirm safety tests are being performed and documented correctly
Recommend upgrades or replacements when needed
Verify compliance with code and performance standards

Routine checks, precise calibration, and detailed reporting keep your elevator not just functional but safe.

Elevator Safety Is No Accident

So, next time you ride an elevator, remember it’s more than just cables and buttons. It’s a highly engineered system with multiple layers of protection and an expert team behind the scenes keeping it all in motion.

If you’re responsible for elevator systems in your building, our consultants are here to help ensure everything runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently.