Engineering Precision Since 1874
Schindler was founded in Lucerne, Switzerland by Robert Schindler and Eduard Villiger as a mechanical workshop specialising in industrial machinery. Within two decades, the company had pivoted decisively into the nascent elevator market, installing one of Switzerland's earliest passenger lifts in 1889.
Today, Schindler employs approximately 67,000 people across 100+ countries and produces elevators, escalators, and moving walks that collectively transport over 1.1 billion people every day — a passenger volume that surpasses global airline travel by more than tenfold.
Unlike purely financially-driven conglomerates, Schindler remains structurally unique: still controlled by the founding Schindler and Bonnard families, with a deliberate emphasis on engineering excellence over short-cycle product churn. Our typical elevator product generation spans 10–15 years, ensuring mature reliability rather than premature obsolescence.
1874
Founded in Lucerne
Robert Schindler and Eduard Villiger establish a mechanical engineering workshop.
1889
First Elevator Installation
Schindler installs one of Switzerland's first passenger lifts, entering the vertical transport market.
1970s
Global Expansion
Strategic acquisitions across Europe and North America establish a worldwide service network.
2001
PORT Technology Launch
Destination dispatch system reduces building lobby congestion, setting new industry benchmark.
2015
Digital Service Platform
IoT-enabled predictive maintenance monitoring deployed across global installed base.
