Finnish Kone Corporation, one of the world’s biggest elevator producers, opened their new plant today in the Severni Predlice industrial zone in Usti nad Labem. The ceremony was attended by Vice Premier Martin Jahn and Industry & Trade Minister Milan Urban. The company is investing nearly half a billion Czech crowns into construction and machinery for this plant to produce Kone-brand elevator components and will create at least 60 new job positions.

“The arrival of Kone is of even greater value for the Czech Republic in that the traditional recipients of Nordic country investments have usually been the Baltic countries. Although the combined share of Scandinavia and Finland of total foreign direct investment to the Czech Republic is a mere one percent today, the arrival of the first major Finnish manufacturer, as is Kone, could also inspire other investors from the North,” commented Industry & Trade Minister Milan Urban.

Production at Kone’s plant in Usti is intended for markets in Central Europe. The suitable location and transport connections to the European motorway network were key to the company’s decision to locate in Usti nad Labem.

MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY:

KONE CORPORATION was established in Finland in 1910 and is now a major global producer of elevators and escalators. It consists of two strong divisions: KONE elevators and escalators and KONE Cargotec. In addition to production the company also provides repair service and is also involved in developing new technologies. It operates 800 service centres in more than forty countries and employs over 20 thousand people. KONE produces and delivers up to 26 thousand parts for new elevators and escalators annually.

KONE, a.s., entered the Czechoslovak market in 1992 and currently employs about 200 highly qualified employees here who provide service for the entire Czech Republic and Slovakia.

CONTACT:

Noud Veeger
Vice President, New Elevator & Escalator business
Phone:. +358 020475 42 86

Franco Bergamini
Director, Global Supply Line
Phone: +39 02 3395 23 67