Elevator Magazine news update for September 11, 2026

DOMESTIC NEWS

1. Vietnam Elevator Association Holds Members' Conference

On the morning of September 10, 2026, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Elevator Association (VNEA), the Members' Conference was held with both in-person and online participation of leaders and representatives of member enterprises.

The conference reported on activities during the first eight months of 2026, discussed difficulties and recommendations from members, and outlined orientations for future activities.

2. Hanoi Proposes 109-Story Century Tower Along the Red River

The Hanoi People's Committee has submitted a report on the overall adjustment of the Red River Urban Subdivision Planning at a scale of 1/5,000 to implement the Red River Landscape Boulevard investment project.

The planning research area spans approximately 11,418 hectares, stretching about 40 km from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge, passing through the administrative boundaries of 16 communes and wards. Building heights in the area are generally oriented toward 30–45 stories; the 109-story Century Tower is specifically identified as a landmark project and an urban icon.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

1. KONE: Two New Members Elected to the Board of Directors

At the Extraordinary General Meeting on June 3, KONE elected Mr. Ranjan Sen and Mr. Bruno Schick as new members of the Board of Directors. This supplementary election is part of KONE's plan to acquire TK Elevator.

Under the purchase agreement, Advent and Cinven – the two private equity investors who are the main owners of TK Elevator – have the right to nominate two members to join KONE's Board of Directors through a holding company jointly controlled by both parties. However, the appointment resolution does not take effect immediately, but only from the date the KONE acquisition of TK Elevator is completed.

Mr. Ranjan Sen joined Advent in 2003 and is currently a Senior Executive Member of Advent in Frankfurt, responsible for investment advisory in the German-speaking region. Previously, he worked at DB Capital Partners, UBS Capital, and Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, with experience in private equity investment and structured finance.

Mr. Bruno Schick joined Cinven in 2003 and is currently Co-Chief Executive Officer of Cinven. He is responsible for strategic direction, portfolio management, value creation, and divestment activities. Directly related to TK Elevator, Mr. Schick currently serves as a board member at Vertical Topco S.à r.l. and TK Elevator GmbH.

2. Mitsubishi Elevator and QuikBot Sign Robot Integration Agreement

Mitsubishi Elevator (Singapore) and QuikBot Technologies signed a cooperation agreement to integrate Mitsubishi elevators and building systems with QuikBot's QuikSync software in Singapore.

QuikSync enables approved autonomous systems to interact with building infrastructure in accordance with pre-established safety and operational policies. The platform manages identity, authentication, authorization, operational monitoring, safety coordination, and activity traceability.

Mitsubishi retains final decision-making authority over the safety, integrity, and operation of elevators and building systems. The two parties plan to deploy additional pilot projects and customer applications in Singapore, targeting use cases such as delivery, cleaning, security, inspection, and healthcare.

3. Hong Kong: Elevator and Escalator Technology Symposium Calls for Papers

The Lift & Escalator Symposium Educational Trust has issued a call for papers for the Elevator and Escalator Technology Symposium in Hong Kong. The event is expected to take place over two days, May 18–19, 2027, at the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel.

Selected papers are expected to focus on technical issues, standards, design, operation, and management of vertical transportation systems in the context of Asian urbanization.

Given Hong Kong's characteristics as a market with high high-rise density, the symposium could become a forum for exchanging experience on safety, modernization, maintenance, and technology applications in elevators and escalators. Interested authors should follow the submission requirements, priority topics, and deadlines from the organizers.