From AI-driven elevators to green mobility, how KONE is redefining urban movement

Philippe Delorme is the President and Chief Executive Officer of KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry that moves more than two billion people every day. With a century-long legacy, operations in over 60 countries, a workforce of more than 60,000 employees, and a maintenance base of 1.6 million units, KONE has been at the forefront of delivering smart, sustainable solutions aimed at creating the best people flow experiences in urban environments.

Appointed to the role in January 2024, Delorme brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across the technology, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Known for his strategic mindset, he has a strong focus on digitalisation, innovation, and sustainability as key drivers of long-term growth.

Before joining KONE, Delorme spent several years at Schneider Electric, where he most recently served as executive vice-president, Europe Operations. His career spans senior roles in strategy, technology, operations, and sales across Europe, the United States, and Asia, and he was a member of the company’s Executive Committee from 2009 to 2023. In an interaction with the Bizz Buzz, Philippe Delorme revealed several unknown things and shared his vision for the company

What is your company’s long-term vision for sustainable and urban mobility?

Our purpose at KONE is to shape the future of cities. More than two billion people use our equipment every day, which places a great responsibility on us.

We take this mission very seriously by enabling sustainable, safe, and seamless people-flow solutions. Safety is a core priority for us. As cities grow vertically, elevators become essential infrastructure, and being at the forefront of sustainability, innovation, ease of use, and safety is critical.

How your company is adapting to a rapidly urbanising world?

We adapt in three key ways. First, service is our foundation. Providing unparalleled maintenance and service to customers is crucial, and service has become our largest business segment. India, in particular, is a role model for KONE globally in customer satisfaction.

Second, we actively support new construction and urbanisation. We are the number one player in new construction in India, with one out of every four elevators installed in the country coming from KONE.

Third, we see a growing opportunity in modernization, as elevators installed 15–20 years ago now need upgrading to meet current standards.

What differentiates KONE from other elevator manufacturers today?

First, KONE is the largest elevator manufacturer in the world, with advanced manufacturing facilities in India, including Chennai, and in China. Second, we invest heavily in innovation, particularly in digital technology and services.

Third, sustainability is a strong differentiator for us. As a family-owned company with a committed reference shareholder, sustainability is deeply embedded in our strategy.

Additionally, our installation capability in India is a key differentiator that customers clearly recognize.

How important are digitalization and AI in your company’s future growth strategy?

Digitalization and AI are extremely important, especially in our service business. By 2030, we aim to connect close to 100% of our elevators. This enables three major benefits: real-time transparency, predictive maintenance capabilities, and remote servicing of elevators.

We also use AI to improve field technician efficiency. This year, we deployed new tools for dynamic maintenance planning, and the results have been extremely positive.

How your company is managing global cost pressures and supply chain challenges?

We continuously work on improving efficiency across installation, service, and product manufacturing. At the same time, we constantly look for ways to optimize product costs without compromising quality or safety.

What are the biggest risks facing the elevator and escalator industry today?

Safety is the biggest concern and point of attention. At KONE, we see safety as a strong differentiator. Not all industry players give it the same level of focus, but we firmly believe safety must never be compromised or overlooked.

How does your company balance rapid growth with safety and quality standards?

We never compromise on safety and quality. One excellent practice that started in India is the safety oath, where every meeting begins with a pledge to safety.

We adopted this practice here and are now deploying it globally. The leadership in India, particularly the managing director, is setting a strong example with an outstanding commitment to safety and quality.

What steps your company is taking to reduce carbon emissions across operations?

In 2018, we committed to science-based targets covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The largest portion of our emissions comes from Scope 3, which includes suppliers and customer usage.

One of the most impactful solutions is the use of regenerative drives. These systems capture energy generated during elevator braking and feed it back into the building, improving energy efficiency by at least 30 percent and significantly reducing emissions.

How strategic is India to your company’s global growth plans?

India is extremely strategic for KONE. It is one of the fastest-growing markets globally and has the world’s largest population. We are a market leader here, continue to innovate, and draw inspiration from best practices in India. This is why I visit the country so frequently.

What trends are you seeing in India’s real estate and infrastructure demand?

India stands out for its strong growth in new construction, something seen in very few markets globally. Alongside this, there is increasing adoption of digital services, a growing modernization market, and rapid development across the real estate sector.

What role does the Hyderabad regional office and operations play globally?

Hyderabad is significant because KONE is the first elevator manufacturer to establish a fifth operational region. While most competitors operate with four regions, we created a Central Region due to the immense opportunity in central India.

This move gives us a first-mover advantage and strengthens customer proximity, which is critical for delivering better service, driving growth, and creating value for our company and customers.

How does KONE India contribute to innovation globally?

India is known for speed, agility, and what we call frugal innovation—finding affordable solutions to challenges others may consider impossible. This mindset plays a vital role our global innovation efforts.

Additionally, India is a major hub for digital and AI development. Our teams in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune support global digital transformation and accelerate innovation across the organisation.

What investments are planned for manufacturing and talent in India?

We continue to invest heavily in our Chennai manufacturing facility, which serves both the Indian and global markets. We recently invested Rs 400 crore in this plant, making it our most modern manufacturing facility worldwide.

Beyond manufacturing, we are also investing in service centers, customer experience, and talent, reflecting our strong growth outlook for India.

How does KONE ensure localized solutions for Indian cities like Hyderabad?

Localization is achieved through strong local teams working closely with customers. For example, we are launching new home and villa elevator solutions that feature customized materials and designs tailored to Indian preferences.

Customer feedback indicates these solutions feel truly local while maintaining global quality standards, which reassures us that we are moving in the right direction.