KONE Awards Plaque for Escalator Modernization at Detroit’s Cobo Center

KONE Inc. honored the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), the governing body that manages and operates Cobo Center in Detroit, with a plaque lauding the building’s recent designation as an Elevator World magazine 2013 Project of the Year. Cobo Center, currently in the midst of a three-year expansion and upgrade program, won in the escalator modernization category for its recent upgrade of 14 escalators throughout the building.

The award-winning project featured the KONE EcoMod escalator modernization solution, a first-of-its-kind approach to replacing the entire inner workings of an escalator unit without removing the truss, thereby lowering the cost of the project and decreasing disruption to building visitors during construction. The solution also allowed the construction to be finished in time for the 2013 North American International Auto Show, held Jan. 14-27, when 795,416 people passed through the building.

“We are delighted to present this plaque to the authority, commemorating the award-winning escalator modernization project,” says Dennis Gerard, senior vice president of KONE North Region. “The award is a testament to the authority’s commitment in renovating the Cobo Center to become a world-class facility while preventing disruption to facility access or events held during construction.”

Patrick Bero, CEO/chief financial officer of the Cobo Authority, says KONE’s efficient elevator and escalator solutions will help Cobo Center continue to reduce its energy costs and impact on the environment. “The Cobo Authority is very pleased with the performance and reliability of KONE’s elevators and escalators,” Bero says. “The upgrades to these critical systems have enabled the authority to increase customer satisfaction and safety while reducing our energy and maintenance costs.”

KONE also recently worked with the DRCFA to modernize 13 elevators throughout Cobo Center with the majority being upgraded with the award-winning KONE ReVolution solution, a complete elevator system upgrade that delivers gearless performance, lower energy costs, shorter waiting times, improved ride quality and an environmentally responsible product.