Construcciones Yamaro: KONE puts permanent lift systems to work from day one
KONE is helping projects move, build and rise faster by bringing permanent lift systems into the construction phase earlier.
While pressure on construction businesses isn’t new, it has, of late, felt relentless. Contractors are expected to deliver projects faster as labour shortages and rising costs continue, with geopolitical uncertainty and fuel prices adding further strain. Site efficiency and unnecessary costs are receiving closer attention, with developers and main contractors looking harder at how projects are delivered and where costs can be reduced.
The response isn’t simply to absorb it, but to adapt. Solutions that accelerate delivery are easing the load, or in KONE Australia’s case, lifting it.
That capability is underpinned by global experience. KONE has delivered vertical transportation systems across high-rise construction for more than a century, including many of the world’s tallest towers. Lessons from those projects inform solutions used in Australia, including Construction Time Use (CTU) and JumpLift systems.
Iain Matheson, director of New Building Solutions at KONE Australia, says the systems aren’t new, but both the technology and how it is applied continue to evolve.
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“When you look at their application today, safety and compliance remain central, but time on site and program pressure have become just as critical,” he says.
“Cost pressures are high, timelines are shortening, and the construction pipeline is growing faster than it can be serviced. The industry is being pushed to do more with less.
“Australia is in a construction boom, but there is a shortage of skilled labour and resources. That means the focus is on making better use of established technology and continuing to adapt it for modern projects.”
Typically installed on smaller buildings where the shaft is available earlier, CTUs are the final elevator systems fitted with protective materials so they can be used during construction, operating at the same speed and load as the completed lifts. They deliver a functional elevator that can be maintained, upgraded and brought into final operation.
JumpLift is a self-climbing system, mainly used on complex high-rise projects where the shaft is constructed progressively. Temporary motor rooms are installed on the shaft, allowing the lift to climb with the building. Access extends to newly completed floors without waiting for structural completion.
The advantage sits in when these systems are introduced. Installed from the outset, they change how trades move through the building, improve material flow and bring greater control to site logistics.
“Safety is another benefit,” says Matheson. “These are certified systems that have been tested and commissioned, rather than temporary equipment installed solely for the construction phase. They are signed off, maintained and serviced, remaining in place for the life of the asset.”
Site footprint and program efficiency are also improved. With vertical transport operating within the shaft, external hoists and additional crane infrastructure are no longer required, reducing space requirements, simplifying operations and limiting exposure to weather disruption.
“The benefits ultimately sit with the developer through cost and time savings, but they are also shared with builders through improved efficiency and delivery outcomes,” says Matheson. “The time savings can be substantial, typically measured in months rather than days, particularly when you look at overall construction programs.”
These systems are having an impact on site operations across Australia, including a 48-level commercial office tower in Bourke Street, Melbourne. By bringing vertical transport inside the building, JumpLift removed the need for external hoists, an advantage in a CBD environment.
Early integration of the permanent lift system was critical, enabling a higher volume of trades to operate concurrently. This improved confidence in timelines and allowed milestones to be set reliably, supporting other trade packages to stay on program.
Matheson says the benefit wasn’t limited to time savings in moving people and materials, but also reduced delay risk as the project progressed.
“The system also contributed to sustainability,” he says. “JumpLifts and CTUs are installed once, rather than installing temporary hoists and then removing them. That reduces material use and contributes to a lower carbon footprint across construction and the broader lifecycle of a building.”
For KONE Australia, this approach isn’t project-specific, but a broader shift in how construction is delivered.
“We don’t view these systems as temporary add-ons, but as an integral part of the construction process,” says Matheson. “When considered early in planning, they support smoother delivery through to key milestones and project handover.”
With pressure on the industry showing little sign of easing, Matheson expects increased awareness of the value these systems bring, leading to more consistent adoption across high-rise projects.
“There is an education piece across the industry, from developers through to builders, that needs to improve,” he says. “There also needs to be a stronger focus on shortening construction programs and reducing emissions during the build phase. CTU and JumpLift systems contribute to both, alongside the safety benefits they deliver.”
The goal is to make construction faster, cleaner, safer and more controlled.
The post KONE puts permanent lift systems to work from day one appeared first on Inside Construction.
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