Press Release: KONE strengthens its position in Richmond, Virginia
KONE Corporation, Press release, December 1, 2010
KONE has acquired Virginia Elevator Company, a long established and successful independent elevator service company doing business in the greater Richmond area. Through this acquisition KONE establishes itself as one of the largest elevator and escalator companies in the State of Virginia.
Virginia Elevator and KONE are combining their elevator operations under the KONE name during the coming months. "We are thrilled to be adding great new customers and employees in an important market for KONE," says Vance Tang, KONE EVP and Area Director for the Americas.
Virginia Elevator Company has successfully operated in the Richmond market since 1953 when Sid Richmon founded the company. They are privately owned and are a market leader in elevator installation, maintenance, repairs and modernization. They currently employ 38 people.
Virginia Elevator, under the current leadership of Bob Richmon and his team, has consistently grown their elevator business by delivering good customer service and they are established as a very prominent and positive fixture in the Richmond business community. "The combined Virginia Elevator/KONE team welcomes the opportunity to continue to offer outstanding service to Virginia Elevator and KONE customers. We also offer a warm welcome to the new team members from Virginia Elevator joining KONE through this acquisition," Vance concludes.
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 2009, KONE had annual net sales of EUR 4.7 billion and approximately 34,000 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd in Finland. Founded in 1910, KONE celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2010.
For further information, please contact:
Jeff Eaton, Director, Acquisitions, KONE Inc., tel. +1 925 984 0019 or
Kellie Lindquist, Marketing Manager, KONE Inc., tel. +1 630 955 4202
Anne Korkiakoski, EVP, Marketing & Communications, KONE Corporation, tel. +358 204 75 4775
