History

Schindler throughout the decades

In its 150-year history, Schindler has grown from a local manufacturer of machines into a global elevator and escalator business. On the way, it has shaped the industry, defined best practice as a mobility provider and as an employer, and prospered in a highly competitive global environment.

Through acquisitions Schindler establishes its presence in the United States and Canada.

1979:

• Schindler acquires Haughton Elevator headquartered in Toledo, OH and establishes itself in the United States.

1982:

• Schindler (Canada) acquires Armor Elevator, to establish themselves in Canada with Headquarters in Pickering, Ontario.
• Other acquisitions followed, including Abec of Montreal, Beckett’s service business, Universal in Ottawa and Western Elevator.

1989:

• Schindler acquires elevator & escalator business of Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
• Elevator manufacturing in Gettysburg, PA and Sidney, OH.
• New escalator manufacturing plant built in Clinton, NC.

1990:

• Schindler reorganizes and establishes Schindler Elevator Corporation as the OEM Headquarters, located in Morristown, NJ and Millar Elevator Service Company as its non-OEM Service Headquarters located in Toledo, OH.
• Schindler is the first elevator company in North America to be ISO 9001 certified.
• Schindler is also the first company in US to have all field organization certified.

1991:

• Clinton ships first escalator.

1996:

• Escalator plant receives IndustryWeek’s America’s Best Plants award.
• Schindler receives NJ Quality Partner award.
• ISO 9002 Certification achieved for Schindler's Canadian Operation.

1997:

• Schindler expands its escalator offering in North America with the introduction of the Schindler 9300^® escalator system.
• Schindler completes the expansion of its Clinton, North Carolina, manufacturing facility. The plant increases its original production capacity by over 40 percent since opening in 1990.

1998:

• Schindler acquires Hobson Elevator Company in Boise, ID.
• Schindler acquires Tri-State Elevator Company in Shreveport, LA.

1999:

• Schindler launches Schindler Customer Clock™, its online job tracking and scheduling tool for general contractors and developers.
• Schindler rolls out FieldLink, a revolutionary field communications device that gives technicians access to unprecedented levels of information and communication.

2000:

• Schindler Customer Score Card™ introduced to building owners and managers.
• Schindler Elevator Corporation named as a Sears Partner in Progress for 1999.
• Schindler expands the capabilities of its Clinton, North Carolina manufacturing facility by adding 5,000 square feet to include a brand new testing area.
• Clinton adds the Schindler 9500^® moving walk series to its production line.

2001:

• Clinton ships its first moving walk.
• Schindler introduces the Schindler 330A™ low-rise elevator which offers a complete holeless solution.

2002:

• Integration of Millar Elevator Service Company into Schindler Elevator Corporation; $1.1 billion combined.
• Schindler earns ISO 9001:2000 certification in the U.S.
• Schindler introduces remote monitoring system for preventive elevator maintenance.

2003:

• Schindler launches its Schindler 400A^® machine room-less solution for a wide range of mid-rise buildings in North America.
• Schindler introduces its new pre-packaged modernization product, Miconic^® HXpress for hydraulic elevators.
• Schindler’s Clinton facility receives the North Carolina International Community and Economic Development Award for its commitment to helping the state’s non-profit community.
• Schindler’s Gettysburg plant is the recipient of the 2003 Pennsylvania Water Environment Association’s Industrial Waste Excellence Award and the 2003 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in the Resource Protection category.

2005:

• Schindler achieves ISO 14001 certification in the U.S.
• Schindler's U.S. operations are recognized by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance for 15 continuous years of Quality Management System achievement under the International Standards Organization (ISO) criteria.
• Schindler's U.S. operations is honored by Sears, Roebuck and Co. with three Partner in Progress awards for 2004.

2006:

• Schindler receives the Above and Beyond Award from the New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, (NJESGR).

2007:

• Schindler Introduces Next Generation of Destination-Based Elevator Technology, Schindler ID^®.

2008:

• Schindler achieves ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System recertification and also ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System recertification.

2009:

• Schindler’s magazine for North American customers, Next Floor, wins two creative awards: the Award of Distinction in the 2009 Communicator Awards and a Silver Award in the 2009 Summit International Creative (SIA) Competition.

2010:

• Schindler Elevator Corporation receives the E&I "New Partner of the Year" award.
• The U.S. Department of Energy honors Schindler’s Gettysburg manufacturing facility with a 2010 Save Energy Now Award for its energy reduction activities.
• Schindler Plant Celebrates 20 Years in Clinton, NC.
• Schindler Enhances E-tools with 3-D Building Information Modeling (BIM).

2011:

• Schindler introduces its new, cost-effective elevator modernization solution for mid-rise buildings.
• Schindler introduces its Schindler 3300 machine room-less traction elevator specifically designed for the low-rise commercial and multi-unit residential market in the U.S.

2012:

• Schindler’s Destination Interface elevator modernization technology named a Top Product by Building Operating Management magazine.

2013:

• Schindler Receives Annual Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture from AIA New Jersey.
• Schindler pioneered clean mobility technology by partnering with Solar Impulse, an airplane propelled only on solar energy.
• Schindler commenced its association with Apple - To keep people moving safely and reliably, Schindler has equipped its workforce with mobile solutions powered by iOS and custom apps that allow secure access to important systems and data.

2014:

• Schindler opens a state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Hanover, PA, the first elevator manufacturing facility in North America to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
• Schindler launches MyPORT, the world’s first "app" using smartphones to provide access to buildings and assign elevators to passengers.

2015:

• Schindler introduces the Schindler 5500 MRL modular passenger elevator in the United States and Canada.
• Schindler introduces online planning and design tool, Schindler Plan.

2016:

• Schindler introduces the Schindler 3100 machine room-less traction elevator for 2-3 story buildings.
• Schindler partners with GE to power digital urban mobility.
• Schindler launches myPORT in North America.
• Architectural Record selects Schindler’s myPORT as one of its annual products of the year.

2017:

• Schindler and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) announce new elevator pitch competition.
• Schindler InTruss escalator modernization selected as Architectural Record’s 2017 Editors’ Choice Winner.

2018:

• Schindler partners with Habitat for Humanity.
• Schindler celebrates first Customer Experience Day.
• Schindler adds cab designer option to online planning tool, Schindler Plan.

2019:

• Schindler 3100 recognized as one of Buildings magazine’s money saving products.