Which are the best escalator companies in 2026?
Leading escalator companies include Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Fujitec, Hyundai Elevator, Toshiba and SJEC. These manufacturers serve projects ranging from shopping malls and hotels to airports, metro stations, railway terminals and other high-traffic public facilities.
However, there is no single “best escalator company” for every project.
A shopping mall may prioritize design, energy efficiency and smooth passenger flow, while a metro station may require a heavy-duty escalator designed for long operating hours, large passenger volumes and more demanding environmental conditions.
Before choosing an escalator manufacturer, buyers should compare:
Commercial or heavy-duty capability
Vertical rise and inclination
Step width
Indoor or outdoor installation
Safety features and applicable standards
Local installation support
Spare-parts availability
Maintenance capability
Delivery schedule
Total project cost
This guide compares 10 established escalator companies using publicly verifiable product and company information.
| Company | Main Escalator Focus | Moving Walks | Heavy-Duty / Transit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otis | Commercial and public escalators | Yes | Yes | Airports, metro, malls and infrastructure |
| KONE | Commercial and transit escalators | Yes | Yes | Retail, airports and public transportation |
| Schindler | Commercial and infrastructure systems | Yes | Yes | Large commercial and international projects |
| TK Elevator | Commercial, public and modernization | Yes | Yes | Transit, airports and modernization |
| Mitsubishi Electric | Standard, custom and spiral escalators | Yes | Yes | Premium architectural projects |
| Hitachi | Commercial and public-transport escalators | Yes | Yes | Railway, airport and commercial projects |
| Fujitec | Commercial, public and transit systems | Yes | Yes | High-traffic infrastructure |
| Hyundai Elevator | Commercial and public escalators | Yes | Yes | Commercial and international projects |
| Toshiba | Commercial escalators and moving walks | Yes | Yes | Retail and public facilities |
| SJEC | Commercial and public escalators | Yes | Yes | International and value-oriented projects |
Important: This list is designed for procurement comparison. The companies are not presented as a strict 1–10 global market-share ranking.
A useful escalator comparison should be based on more than company size or brand recognition.
For this 2026 update, we considered six main factors.
The company should manufacture or provide identifiable escalator systems rather than simply trade generic equipment.
We considered whether the company offers products for:
Shopping malls
Hotels
Office buildings
Airports
Metro stations
Railway stations
Public buildings
Outdoor projects
Commercial escalators and heavy-duty transit escalators operate under different conditions.
A manufacturer suitable for a shopping centre may not automatically be the best supplier for a metro station operating for long hours every day.
Many airports, supermarkets and large public facilities require both escalators and moving walks.
Manufacturers with both product categories can simplify project coordination.
Buyers should confirm the applicable safety standard, technical specification, duty level and project-specific compliance requirements rather than relying only on a brand name.
Escalators are long-term assets.
Local service, spare-parts support, modernization and maintenance can significantly affect lifecycle cost.
We prioritize information that can be verified through company websites, product documentation and identifiable project references.
Unverified claims about global market share or unsupported “No.1” rankings are not used as the main selection basis.
Best for: Airports, metro systems, shopping malls and projects requiring an established international service network.
Otis is one of the most recognized companies in the global elevator and escalator industry.
Its current product portfolio includes commercial escalators, public escalators and moving walks. Otis distinguishes between commercial environments and more demanding public spaces such as airports, metros and major transport hubs.
For standard commercial applications, Otis provides configurable step widths and building-specific designs. Its public escalator products are intended for heavier passenger traffic and demanding infrastructure environments.
Otis also provides escalator modernization and ongoing service, which can be important for building owners evaluating lifecycle cost rather than only initial equipment price.
Why consider Otis
Commercial and public escalator solutions
Moving walks
Infrastructure project experience
Modernization capability
Established service network
Building-specific configuration
What buyers should verify
Local service coverage, selected product availability, maintenance contract scope and project-specific delivery schedule.
Best for: Retail developments, airports, railway stations and projects prioritizing energy efficiency and digital monitoring.
KONE provides commercial escalators, heavy-duty transit escalators and moving walks for a wide range of building environments.
Its commercial solutions are designed for locations such as shopping centres, exhibition facilities and stadiums, while its TransitMaster range is intended for demanding public-transport environments including metro stations, railways and airports.
KONE also offers moving walks for large transport facilities and digital features including monitoring and predictive-maintenance functionality.
Current KONE product information distinguishes clearly between commercial-duty and heavy-duty transit applications, which is useful for buyers comparing escalator suppliers by real operating conditions rather than brand name alone.
Why consider KONE
Commercial escalators
Heavy-duty transit escalators
Horizontal and inclined moving walks
Indoor and outdoor configurations
Digital monitoring
Modernization and maintenance
What buyers should verify
Required duty cycle, operating environment, vertical rise and availability of local technical support.
Best for: Shopping centres, airports, railway stations, commercial buildings and modernization projects.
Schindler provides escalators and moving walkways for commercial and infrastructure applications.
Its current product portfolio is designed for moving large groups of people through environments including shopping centres, airports, railway stations and commercial buildings.
Schindler is also particularly relevant where modernization is part of the project. Its escalator modernization solutions range from component upgrades to more extensive renewal while retaining existing structural elements where technically suitable.
This makes Schindler worth comparing not only for new projects but also for building owners with aging escalator systems.
Why consider Schindler
Commercial escalators
Moving walkways
Large public facilities
Modernization
Maintenance
International service capability
What buyers should verify
Whether the project is better served by new equipment, partial modernization or complete replacement.
Best for: Airports, transit infrastructure, commercial buildings and modernization projects.
TK Elevator, or TKE, is the current elevator and escalator brand that developed from the former thyssenkrupp Elevator business.
The company provides elevators, escalators, moving walks and related mobility solutions, together with service and modernization.
TKE's current portfolio includes both escalators and moving walks for commercial and public environments.
Its infrastructure capabilities are supported by large transport projects. In 2026, TK Elevator announced an expansion of its work with Hong Kong International Airport, where its service responsibilities include elevators, escalators and moving walks.
Why consider TK Elevator
Escalators and moving walks
Airport and infrastructure experience
Modernization
Large service operations
Public transportation applications
What buyers should verify
Local product range, project-specific escalator model, maintenance support and modernization requirements.
Best for: Premium commercial developments and projects requiring distinctive architectural escalator designs.
Mitsubishi Electric provides escalator solutions for commercial and public-building applications and is especially well known for its spiral escalator technology.
Unlike conventional straight escalators, spiral escalators follow a curved path and can become part of the architectural design of shopping centres, hotels and landmark commercial developments.
Mitsubishi Electric states that it originally developed its Spiral Escalator technology in the 1980s and continues to provide the system for projects requiring this specialized configuration.
Why consider Mitsubishi Electric
Conventional escalators
Specialized spiral escalators
Architectural applications
Premium project positioning
International project support
What buyers should verify
Whether a specialized design is technically necessary, local installation capability and the additional cost associated with non-standard configurations.
Best for: Commercial facilities, railway stations, airports and projects where passenger flow and energy efficiency are priorities.
Hitachi supplies escalators and moving sidewalks for commercial and public-building applications.
Its product information emphasizes applications in commercial facilities, railway stations and airports, together with safety, energy-saving operation and passenger-friendly design.
Hitachi also provides both horizontal and inclined moving sidewalks, allowing buyers to coordinate escalators and travelators within larger transportation projects.
Why consider Hitachi
Escalators
Horizontal moving sidewalks
Inclined moving sidewalks
Commercial applications
Transport infrastructure
Energy-saving functions
What buyers should verify
Local service coverage, model availability, expected daily traffic and required operating environment.
Best for: Metro, railway, commercial and other high-traffic infrastructure projects.
Fujitec manufactures elevators, escalators and moving walks and has extensive experience in large urban transportation projects.
A useful recent example is the Chennai Metro Rail project in India. In February 2026, Fujitec announced an order for a combined 451 escalators and moving walks for Corridors 3 and 5 of the metro expansion.
The project covers dozens of underground and elevated stations, providing recent evidence of Fujitec's ability to support large public-transport applications.
Why consider Fujitec
Escalators
Moving walks
Large metro projects
High-traffic public applications
International project experience
What buyers should verify
Local installation structure, service capability, project schedule and the exact equipment specification for commercial versus transit use.
Best for: Commercial buildings and international projects seeking a manufacturer with a broad vertical-transportation portfolio.
Hyundai Elevator provides elevators, escalators, moving walks, parking systems, modernization and connected service solutions.
Its international operations extend beyond the Korean market through a global network, and its product portfolio includes both escalators and moving walks.
For procurement teams, Hyundai is worth comparing where both new equipment and longer-term modernization or service may be relevant.
Why consider Hyundai Elevator
Escalators and moving walks
Broad building-transport portfolio
Modernization
International operations
Commercial project capability
What buyers should verify
Specific escalator models available in the destination market, local installation arrangements and spare-parts support.
Best for: Commercial buildings, public facilities and projects prioritizing safety and energy-saving functions.
Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems provides escalators and moving walks, including its current TG Series escalators.
The TG Series incorporates safety features and energy-saving operating modes. Available configurations include standard escalators as well as options designed for different architectural and operating requirements.
Toshiba also supplies moving walks in horizontal and inclined configurations.
Why consider Toshiba
TG Series escalators
Moving walks
Safety-focused design
Energy-saving operation
Commercial and public applications
What buyers should verify
Regional product availability, outdoor requirements, operating hours and service coverage.
Best for: International commercial and public projects where configuration flexibility and procurement cost are important.
SJEC is a China-based manufacturer supplying elevators, escalators and moving walks for international projects.
Its escalator portfolio includes models designed for commercial buildings as well as heavier-duty applications such as airports and metro environments. Available configurations include different step widths, inclination angles and indoor or outdoor installations.
SJEC can therefore be relevant to buyers comparing established global brands with China-based escalator manufacturers.
Why consider SJEC
Commercial escalators
Public escalators
Moving walks
Indoor and outdoor configurations
International supply
What buyers should verify
Destination-country distributor arrangements, local installation capability, compliance documentation and long-term spare-parts support.
For buyers searching specifically by brand, some of the most recognized escalator names include:
Otis
KONE
Schindler
TK Elevator
Mitsubishi Electric
Hitachi
Fujitec
Hyundai Elevator
Toshiba
However, brand reputation should not be the only purchasing criterion.
A major global brand may offer:
Strong local service coverage
Established maintenance systems
Standardized global products
Easier access to regional technicians
But the most famous escalator brand is not automatically the most appropriate choice for every project.
A shopping mall, for example, may need a standard commercial escalator with attractive finishes and moderate operating hours.
A metro station may require:
Heavy-duty components
Longer operating hours
Higher passenger capacity
Greater vertical rise
Outdoor or semi-outdoor protection
More demanding maintenance
The correct comparison should therefore begin with the project specification rather than the brand name.
Before sending an RFQ, buyers should compare manufacturers using the same technical criteria.
| Factor | What Buyers Should Check |
| Application | Mall, hotel, airport, metro or public building |
| Vertical Rise | Required floor-to-floor height |
| Inclination | Commonly 30° or 35°, depending on application |
| Step Width | Often 600, 800 or 1000 mm |
| Speed | Project and duty requirement |
| Duty Level | Commercial or heavy duty |
| Environment | Indoor, semi-outdoor or outdoor |
| Operating Hours | Normal commercial or extended transit use |
| Safety | Applicable project and local standards |
| Moving Walk | Whether the supplier also provides travelators |
| Installation | Local installer or manufacturer support |
| Spare Parts | Availability and lead time |
| Maintenance | Local service capability |
| Delivery | Production plus international transport |
| Price | Equipment price vs total installed project cost |
Two quotations can look similar while covering very different equipment.
Before comparing price, confirm:
Truss design
Step width
Rise height
Drive system
Control system
Safety devices
Indoor/outdoor protection
Included spare parts
Installation scope
Shipping term
Commissioning
Warranty
Maintenance
The lowest factory price may not produce the lowest lifecycle cost.
One of the most important purchasing decisions is whether your project needs a standard commercial escalator or a heavy-duty public-transport system.
| Requirement | Commercial Escalator | Heavy-Duty / Public Escalator |
| Typical Application | Mall, hotel, office | Metro, railway, airport |
| Passenger Volume | Medium to high | Very high |
| Operating Hours | Normal commercial schedule | Extended / continuous operation |
| Structure | Standard commercial duty | Reinforced for demanding use |
| Environment | Mainly indoor | Indoor / outdoor / semi-outdoor |
| Maintenance Requirement | Standard | More demanding |
| Main Priority | Comfort, design, efficiency | Durability, uptime, passenger flow |
KONE, Otis and other large manufacturers explicitly distinguish commercial systems from products designed for high-volume public-transport environments.
Choose a commercial escalator when the project is primarily:
Shopping mall
Department store
Hotel
Office
Exhibition centre
Consider a heavy-duty public escalator when the project involves:
Metro stations
Railway stations
Airports
Large transportation terminals
High passenger volumes
Long daily operating hours
The duty level should be confirmed before comparing manufacturer prices.
Many leading escalator companies also manufacture moving walks, also known as travelators or autowalks.
The two products serve different traffic requirements.
| Escalator | Moving Walk / Travelator | |
| Main Movement | Floor-to-floor | Horizontal or low-incline travel |
| Surface | Steps | Pallets or belt |
| Typical Application | Malls, metro, buildings | Airports, supermarkets, terminals |
| Main Purpose | Vertical circulation | Reduce long walking distances |
Companies such as Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Hitachi, Fujitec, Hyundai and Toshiba provide both escalator and moving-walk solutions.
For large airport or transportation projects, selecting one supplier for both product categories may simplify:
Technical coordination
Spare-parts management
Installation
Maintenance
Service contracts
Not every buyer needs the same supplier model.
A large property owner in a country with a strong local service network may prefer a global brand.
An international contractor, distributor or developer with its own local installation resources may also compare direct manufacturers.
| Global Escalator Brand | Direct Factory Supplier |
| Strong brand recognition | Factory-direct communication |
| Established local service | Flexible project configuration |
| Standardized product portfolio | Greater OEM/customization potential |
| Easier regional maintenance | Potential equipment-cost advantages |
| Strong lifecycle service | Requires clear local installation planning |
Local maintenance coverage is essential
The project is major public infrastructure
Tender specifications require specific approved brands
Long-term manufacturer service is the main priority
You are an elevator distributor
You are an EPC or building contractor
You have a qualified local installation team
The project requires customized specifications
Equipment procurement cost is important
You require OEM or project-specific support
Neither model is automatically better.
The correct choice depends on who will be responsible for installation, commissioning, compliance, maintenance and spare parts after delivery.
Delfar is a China-based elevator, escalator and moving-walk manufacturer supplying international residential, commercial and public-building projects.
The company was established in 2011 and has an annual elevator production capacity of approximately 5,000 units. Delfar's R&D team includes approximately 50 people, including 10 senior engineers. Company certification information includes CE, EN 81-20-related documentation, EAC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
Delfar's escalator range is designed for applications including:
Shopping malls
Commercial complexes
Public buildings
Transport facilities
Indoor projects
Outdoor projects
Available product configurations include common 30° and 35° escalator designs, 0.5 m/s configurations and 1000 mm step-width solutions, together with safety features such as emergency stop buttons, skirt brushes, comb safety protection and step-loss protection.
Project specifications and quotations can be discussed directly with the manufacturer.
Delfar can configure escalators according to project dimensions, operating environment and application.
Equipment is inspected and tested before shipment.
Delfar supports overseas buyers with technical drawings, export documentation and shipping coordination.
Remote technical assistance is available during installation. Engineers can also be dispatched to project sites where required and commercially agreed.
Delfar provides 24-hour online technical support. Conventional standard spare parts can generally be prepared within approximately one week, while non-standard components may require additional production time.
Mall projects usually prioritize:
Passenger capacity
Smooth operation
Interior appearance
Energy-saving operation
Step width
Escalator arrangement
Parallel, continuous and cross arrangements can be selected according to floor layout and passenger flow.
Public projects require greater attention to:
Duty level
Operating hours
Passenger volume
Safety
Durability
Maintenance access
The required specification should be confirmed according to the project rather than using a standard shopping-mall configuration automatically.
Outdoor installations may require additional protection against:
Rain
Humidity
Dust
Temperature changes
Corrosion
Outdoor conditions should be identified before the quotation is prepared.
Delfar also manufactures moving walks for applications including airports, shopping malls and public transportation facilities. Available solutions include standard, heavy-duty and customized moving-walk configurations.
An escalator quotation becomes much more accurate when technical information is provided at the first inquiry.
Please provide:
| Project Information | Example |
| Project country / city | UAE / Dubai |
| Building type | Shopping mall |
| Quantity | 6 escalators |
| Vertical rise | 5,000 mm |
| Inclination | 30° |
| Step width | 1,000 mm |
| Speed | 0.5 m/s |
| Installation | Indoor / Outdoor |
| Operating hours | 12 / 16 / 20+ hours |
| Arrangement | Parallel / Cross / Other |
| Moving walks required | Yes / No |
| Shipping term | FOB / CIF |
| Drawings | Architectural plans if available |
If you do not yet know the exact technical specification, send:
project drawings + building type + vertical rise + quantity + project location
and the engineering team can recommend a starting configuration.
A project-based quotation can include:
Recommended escalator type
Technical configuration
Step width
Inclination
Speed
Safety options
Indoor/outdoor configuration
Equipment supply scope
Shipping option
Production schedule
Installation-support scope
CTA: Get an Escalator Configuration & Quote
There is no universal best escalator manufacturer.
The correct supplier depends on your project.
Prioritize:
Passenger flow
Appearance
Energy efficiency
Reliable commercial operation
Maintenance availability
Prioritize:
Heavy-duty performance
Extended operating hours
Moving walks
Spare-parts support
High uptime
Prioritize:
Heavy-duty construction
Long operating hours
High passenger volumes
Environmental protection
Local maintenance capability
Also compare:
Factory-direct pricing
Customization
Technical drawings
Export experience
Shipping support
Installation guidance
Spare parts
The final decision should be based on technical suitability + service capability + lifecycle cost, not simply the lowest purchase price or the most famous brand name.
There is no single best company for every application.
Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Fujitec, Hyundai Elevator and Toshiba are among the established international brands worth comparing.
For direct international sourcing, buyers may also compare China-based manufacturers according to configuration, certifications, installation arrangements and total project cost.
Some widely recognized escalator brands include Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Fujitec, Hyundai Elevator and Toshiba.
Brand reputation is useful, but the final supplier should still be selected according to project specifications and local service requirements.
Start with the project specification.
Confirm:
Vertical rise
Step width
Inclination
Operating hours
Passenger volume
Indoor/outdoor environment
Commercial or heavy-duty use
Local installation capability
Required safety standards
Then compare suppliers using exactly the same requirements.
Commercial escalators are typically used in malls, hotels and offices.
Heavy-duty escalators are designed for demanding environments such as airports, metro stations and railway facilities where passenger volumes and operating hours are significantly higher.
Many major escalator manufacturers also supply moving walks or travelators, including Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Hitachi, Fujitec, Hyundai Elevator and Toshiba.
Delfar also manufactures moving-walk solutions for international commercial and public projects.
Common step-width options include approximately 600 mm, 800 mm and 1000 mm, although available specifications depend on the manufacturer and model.
A 1000 mm step width is frequently considered for higher passenger-capacity commercial and public projects.
At minimum, provide:
Vertical rise
Quantity
Step width
Inclination
Indoor/outdoor use
Project location
Architectural drawings will help the manufacturer provide a more accurate proposal.
A global brand may be preferable where local service, maintenance and brand approval are the main priorities.
A direct manufacturer may be suitable for contractors, distributors and projects requiring customization or factory-direct procurement.
Always confirm installation, compliance, spare-parts and maintenance responsibilities before placing the order.
Yes, subject to the destination country's import, conformity, inspection and installation requirements.
Before ordering, confirm:
Applicable safety standards
Import documentation
Local installation contractor
Inspection requirements
Commissioning
Maintenance
Spare-parts support
Do not compare only the FOB equipment price.
Comparing leading escalator companies is useful—but your final supplier should be selected according to the building, traffic level, technical requirements and project budget.
Delfar provides escalators and moving walks for international commercial and public projects with factory-direct configuration, customized engineering, export support and after-sales technical assistance.
Send us:
Project country
Building type
Vertical rise
Quantity
Step width
Indoor or outdoor requirement
Architectural drawings
and our team can prepare a project-specific configuration and quotation.
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