New KONE UltraRope technology offers travel speed of over 10m/s
Jeddah, 10 June 2014: In a move that brings the newest and most advanced high-rise elevator technology to Saudi Arabia, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), owner and developer of the Kingdom Tower and City in the Obhor neighborhood north of Jeddah, has appointed KONE, one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry, as the vertical transportation provider to deliver the world's fastest and highest double-decker elevators to the Kingdom Tower.
The Kingdom Tower, which is being built by Saudi Bin Laden Group, will rise to the height of more than one kilometer upon completion in 2018. With the installation of KONE's people flow solutions, the tower will have the world's fastest double deck elevator with travel speed of over 10 metres a second and the world's highest elevator rise at 660 m.
Commenting, Mounib Hammoud, CEO of JEC, said: "We are building the world's tallest tower and have selected KONE high-speed elevators because they utilize technology that surpasses all industry limits and enables elevators to travel to heights that are twice the distance previously feasible.
"In addition, Kone vertical transportation solutions provide unprecedented eco-efficiency, durability and reliability in high-rise vertical transportation - important factors .to be considered in a world where urbanization is bringing increasing numbers of people into cities."
Adding his comments, KONE President and CEO Matti Alahuhta said: "We are delighted that JEC has chosen KONE as its vertical transportation provider and are greatly excited about being involved in this tremendous project to build the world's tallest tower."
Kingdom Tower will be equipped with 65 KONE elevators and escalators including two KONE Double Deck MiniSpace™ elevators with revolutionary KONE UltraRope hoisting technology.
Announced in 2013, KONE UltraRope is a new high-rise elevator technology that eliminates the disadvantages of conventional steel rope and opens up a world of possibilities in high-rise building design.
KONE will also provide The Kingdom Tower with custom-designed car interiors and landing doors as well as KONE Destination Control Systems and premium KONE Infoscreen displays. Other special solutions include KONE E-Link™ remote monitoring systems and an occupant evacuation operation system for emergency situations.
The Kingdom Tower will house office suites, a Four Seasons Hotel, service apartments, residential apartments, and the world's highest observation deck giving unprecedent views of the city of Jeddah and the Red Sea coastline.
More than half of the global population already live in urban areas and the United Nations estimates that by 2050 seven out of every 10 people on the planet will be living in cities Building upwards is seen as the sustainable urban solution and Saudi Arabia is leading the international field by innovating and utilizing the most advanced technologies to build the world's tallest building that is already setting new records in the construction industry as The Kingdom Tower prepares to soar into the sky as a global icon that will be the pride of Saudi Arabia and its citizens.
About Jeddah Economic City
Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) Ltd was founded in 2009 for the purpose of developing The Kingdom City, Jeddah, with the new Kingdom Tower as the project centerpiece. Principal JEC financiers are Kingdom Holding Company chaired by HRH prince Al Waleed Bin Talal; Abrar Holding Company represented by Samaul Bakhsh; Kela'a Jeddah Company represented by businessman Abdulrahman Hassan Sharbatly; as well as The Kingdom Tower's primary contractor, Saudi Bin Ladin Group represented by Mr. Saleh Bin Ladin. JEC's capital has a book value of nearly SR 9 billion.
About KONE
KONE is one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry. The company has been committed to understanding the needs of its customers for the past century, providing industry-leading elevators, escalators and automatic building doors as well as innovative solutions for modernization and maintenance. The company's objective is to offer the best People Flow® experience by developing and delivering solutions that enable people to move smoothly, safely, comfortably and without waiting in buildings in an increasingly urbanizing environment. In 2012, KONE had annual net sales of EUR 6.3 billion and around 40,000 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd in Finland.
© Press Release 2014
