The KONE delivery chain incorporates all the actions and processes that are involved in bringing products from the factories to the installation sites. Our delivery chain consists of eight production sites, seven global distribution centers for elevators, and four distribution centers for spare parts. A total of 3,600 (2010: 2,600)* people keep our supply operations running, covering new equipment, modernization, and spares supply.
Following the plan to relocate and expand our production site and R&D center in China, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new facilities in April 2011. When operational, the facility will be our biggest production site in terms of volume.
Delivery Chain Excellence is one of KONE’s five global development programs, which aim to foster strategy implementation. We focus on improving internal effectiveness, increasing collaboration with the different parties and teams in the delivery chain, and synchronizing all delivery process phases to ensure accurate deliveries from suppliers right through to installation. By improving the efficiency of our operations and optimizing processes, we aim to further decrease our overall carbon footprint while continuing to improve quality and safety.
KONE actively employs LEAN and Six Sigma tools and methods to improve the productivity and quality of our operations. In the future, supported by extensive training programs, implementation of these tools and methods will be expanded to cover installation operations and suppliers.