Kone Corporation announced that the company will establish a new Technology & Innovation unit. The new Technology & Innovation unit brings together KONE's Research & Development and IT functions. By establishing a dedicated Technology & Innovation unit, the company will speed up the development in a changing business environment.

The company announced that Tomio Pihkala has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer of the company to head this unit. He has worked in various roles within the company since 2001, and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2013, responsible for Operations Development. Mikko Korte has been appointed as Executive Vice President of Operations Development. Mikko Korte has 20 years of global experience in various senior roles within the company, most recently heading the company's new equipment business in the Americas region. Tomio Pihkala and Mikko Korte will report to Henrik Ehrnrooth, President and CEO. Both appointments will be effective as of January 1, 2016.