Kone – a global leader in providing complete and innovative solutions for the installation, maintenance and modernisation of elevators and escalators and the maintenance of automatic building doors – will soon be launching the world’s flattest autowalk technology InnoTrack in the Middle East.

Commenting on the new product, Esa Maenpaa, manager of marketing and Kone Way, says a key feature of Kone InnoTrack is its modular structure, with no need for a pit, which enables its easy installation, relocation and modification.
“Due to the innovative pallet return mechanism and a new kind of motor solution, the autowalk is so flat that, unlike conventional solutions, it can be installed entirely on the floor,” says Maenpaa.
The product – described as a breakthrough innovation in the escalator business - can be installed easily without changes to the floor structure, which makes it suitable for both new and existing buildings, even on upper floors, thanks to its flat and light structure. These features make InnoTrack a solution for a wide range of different locations and premises with a need for efficient traffic flow.
Due to its modular design, it can be delivered to the installation site in parts. Moreover, the installation method makes it possible to easily alter the length and location of each autowalk, giving greater lifetime flexibility, he points out. The new technology also allows more efficient and flexible use of space and gives greater architectural freedom in designing buildings.
“The distinguishing features of the new Kone InnoTrack autowalk technology are that the pallets arriving at the end of the autowalk are lowered to return tracks placed just under the walking level and that the motor is located inside the autowalk balustrade. In contrast, the motor, drive system and pallet return tracks of conventional autowalks are located in a pit up to one metre below the floor level,” he says.
"Due to these new properties, the InnoTrack autowalk reduces architectural design and installation costs. The savings in the planning and installation phase can even exceed the purchase price of the autowalk. The equipment’s optimised maintenance programme ensures reliable operation throughout its lifetime,” Maenpaa says.
The product is environmentally friendly because of its oil-free drive system and pallet chain and the fact that it uses significantly less material than traditional solutions. The new technology utilises the Kone PowerDisc machinery, which has proven itself as a reliable and energy-efficient solution in Kone’s elevators, he points out.
Another recent development at Kone is a new product concept called Kone
MyChoice. Based on the four seasons of the year, it aims to provide customers with a wider range of alternatives in choosing their elevator car interiors and performance features.  The preferred offerings, created by architects and interior designers consist of a broad set of harmonised packages of different options.
Kone has secured the region's largest lifts and escalators order for a project in Makkah.
Kone’s joint venture company Arabian Elevator & Escalator Company (Areeco) is currently finalising its largest lift and escalator order in Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, which entails the supply and installation of 89 elevators and 120 escalators.
Early this year, it also won a major deal for the supply of 30 elevators and six escalators to Capital Plaza in Abu Dhabi. Installation of the devices will start at the end of this year and is scheduled for completion during the second half of 2009.
Capital Plaza is a five-tower multipurpose centre offering high-quality residential, hotel and office space. The tallest of the five towers will have 45 floors and reach up to 156 m.
Four of the delivered units will be Kone double-deck elevators, which will be installed in the office tower. The double-deck elevators will be equipped with a destination control, and will travel at a speed of 6 m/s.
The double-deck elevators consist of two elevator cars on top of each other, thus enabling more efficient use of the building core space. The destination control optimises the travelling time by directing passengers to specific elevator.
“We are very pleased with our long-term cooperation with the Arabian Construction Company (ACC). This project represents the re-opening of Abu Dhabi market, which is expected to follow our successful growth in Dubai,” comments Eric Maziol, area director for Kone West and South Europe. “We are looking forward to the challenging high-rise market in the Middle East, which requires us to create more and more advanced solutions for people flow management.”
Some of the recent ongoing and completed projects in the UAE are: Al Fattan Marine towers with 55 storeys – 19 elevators and two escalators, National Bank of Abu Dhabi - 11 elevators and four escalators, Shangri-La Hotel – 21 elevators, Jumeirah Beach Residences sectors 1, 2, 3 and 7 - 99 elevators, the 330-m-high Rose Rotana Suites - 11 elevators and Al Mas Tower - 33 elevators and two escalators and Park Palace - 10 elevators, both of which have the Middle East's fastest elevators at 7 m/s.
In addition, Kone has installed a number of prestigious projects in the region including the Doha Sports City tower - 17 elevators and two escalators and Asian Games Village – 59 elevators and 1 escalator in Doha, Qatar.
Commenting on the regional market, Maenpaa says the business environment continues to be buoyant due to robust construction growth in most segments of the economy and region.
This year, Kone Middle East is targeting a 50 per cent growth rate and will employ at the end of this year about 800 employees.