Philippe Delorme, CEO of KONE, spoke about the company's pivotal role in the Jeddah Tower project, a milestone that reflects Saudi Arabia's ambition and KONE's leadership in shaping the future of cities.
"Jeddah Tower is more than an architectural landmark; it's a symbol of what can be achieved when innovation meets vision," said Delorme.
"For KONE, being part of this project demonstrates our continued commitment to enabling smart, sustainable, and safe vertical mobility solutions that support how people live and move in modern cities."
With KONE now equipping five of the world's ten tallest buildings, including Jeddah Tower, this partnership underscores the company's global leadership in redefining high-rise mobility and pushing the limits of what's possible in urban development.
Reflecting on how the industry has evolved, Delorme noted: "Over the past decade, high-rise design has shifted from purely technical achievements to creating intelligent, energy-efficient environments that enhance the human experience. Breakthroughs such as our KONE UltraRope technology have redefined what’s structurally and environmentally possible in tall buildings, enabling smoother, lighter, and more energy-efficient travel over unprecedented heights. What truly matters now is how buildings interact with people, adapt, respond, and make life smoother and more sustainable."
The Jeddah Tower will feature AI-powered destination control, real-time monitoring, and regenerative technologies designed to enhance performance and energy efficiency. "Every element of this project has been engineered with sustainability in mind," Delorme added.
"All elevators and escalators include energy-saving features such as regenerative drives and standby modes, part of our broader effort to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030."
Beyond individual projects, Delorme emphasized that sustainability today extends beyond new construction. "Urbanization used to mean building more; now it's about building smarter. Around the world, millions of elevators can be modernized to reduce emissions, extend lifespan, and minimize waste. That's where real transformation happens."
On technology, Delorme highlighted that digitalization and AI are at the core of KONE's global strategy, Rise.
"We're entering an era where connectivity and AI-assisted intelligence will reshape service. Data-driven insights are helping our technicians predict, diagnose, and solve issues faster, ensuring reliability and safety in every building we serve."
KONE invests locally, working with Saudi contractors, suppliers, and engineers to strengthen capabilities and share expertise. "Partnership is key," Delorme said. "Projects like Jeddah Tower are built on collaboration, between global innovation and local knowledge."
As KONE celebrates over 115 years of innovation, Delorme reaffirmed the company's focus on continuous renewal and sustainable growth. "Even as one of the top players globally, we approach every challenge with a challenger mind-set. We learn, adapt, and push boundaries, because our purpose is clear: we shape the future of cities."
