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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 2875
Mitsubishi Electric Elevator/Escalator Joint-Venture in China Surpasses Production of 500,000 Units
Nation's leading producer for 27 years
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TOKYO, October 16, 2014 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Co., Ltd. (SMEC), an elevator and escalator joint-venture company with Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited in Shanghai, China, surpassed cumulative production of 500,000 units earlier this month.
SMEC production plant
Cumulative shipments by SMEC
Mitsubishi Electric became the first Japanese company to deliver elevators to China in 1950. Teaming with Shanghai Electric Group in 1986, the company jointly founded SMEC in Shanghai to become the first Japanese company to directly manufacture, sell, install and provide maintenance for elevators and escalators in China.
SMEC produced China's first VVVF-inverter-controlled elevators in 1990. Over the years, it has launched a variety of products equipped with advanced energy-saving features and technology for enhanced riding experiences, such as gearless traction machines using permanent-magnetic motors and variable-speed elevator systems. Through such achievements, Mitsubishi Electric has contributed to the growth and development of China's elevator and escalator industry.
China is the world's largest elevator and escalator market with, annual sales of more than 500,000 units, accounting for over 60 percent of the global market. The growth rate is expected to remain moderate as urban development advances from coastal areas to inland cities.
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to expand its business in China through delivery of safe, reliable, high-quality and comfortable products incorporating advanced technologies.
SMEC produced China's first VVVF-inverter-controlled elevators in 1990. Over the years, it has launched a variety of products equipped with advanced energy-saving features and technology for enhanced riding experiences, such as gearless traction machines using permanent-magnetic motors and variable-speed elevator systems. Through such achievements, Mitsubishi Electric has contributed to the growth and development of China's elevator and escalator industry.
China is the world's largest elevator and escalator market with, annual sales of more than 500,000 units, accounting for over 60 percent of the global market. The growth rate is expected to remain moderate as urban development advances from coastal areas to inland cities.
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to expand its business in China through delivery of safe, reliable, high-quality and comfortable products incorporating advanced technologies.
SMEC Timeline
About Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Co., Ltd.
| 1986 | Founded |
| 1990 | Produces and sells China's first VVVF-inverter-controlled elevators |
| 1993 | Total shipments reach 10,000 units |
| 1996 | Delivers China's first spiral escalators in Shanghai |
| 1997 | Constructs 120-meter test tower, world's tallest elevator test tower at the time |
| 2000 | Total shipments reach 50,000 units |
| 2003 | Produces and sells machine-room-less elevators |
| 2004 | Total shipments reach 100,000 units |
| 2005 | Commissioned to deliver double-deck elevators (420 m/min) to CCTV headquarters |
| 2006 | Extends joint-venture agreement for additional 20 years |
| 2008 | Commissioned to deliver double-deck elevators (480 m/min) to Tianjin Tower Total shipments reach 200,000 units |
| 2009 | Commissioned to deliver super-high-speed elevators (540 m/min) to Kingkey 100 in Shenzhen |
| 2011 | Commissioned to deliver super-high-speed elevators (1,080 m/min) to Shanghai Tower Total shipments reach 300,000 units |
| 2013 | Commissioned to deliver super-high-speed elevators (600 m/min) to Wuhan Center Total shipments reach 400,000 units |
| 2014 | Total shipments reach 500,000 units |
About Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Co., Ltd.
| Company name | Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Co., Ltd. |
| Location | 811 Jiang Chuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai |
| Site area | 273,000 m2 |
| Ownership | The Mitsubishi Electric Group owns 40% in shares, while Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited and other companies hold the remaining 60%. |
| Start of operation | January 1987 |
| Employees | Approximately 2,000 (As of January 1, 2014) |