SHANGHAI, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis China will build a new elevator test tower in Shanghai as part of a new global research and development facility. Planned at approximately 270 meters in height, the new test tower is anticipated to be the tallest above-ground test tower in the world upon completion. The new facilities are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2018. Otis is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The new test tower, together with the R&D facility, will support development of new technologies for use in elevators for versatile market segments, delivering higher efficiency and smaller footprints, as well as industry-leading safety, comfort and convenience for passengers. The innovative tower design uses a flexible configuration that can easily adapt to test new components and systems as they evolve.

"Building our new test tower and R&D Center in Shanghai underscores our continuous commitment to satisfy customers in China and around the world," said Otis President Philippe Delpech. "As the industry leader that introduced safe elevator technology, this is a strong example of how we are investing to accelerate innovation and technology development for our next generation elevators and service."

The new facility will be part of a network of research facilities and test towers that span across four continents. Otis has been playing an instrumental role in elevating iconic high rise buildings around the world, including the 828-meter Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building; the 599-meter Ping'An Financial Center in Shenzhen, one of the highest buildings in China when completed this year; the 555-meter Lotte World Tower in Seoul, the tallest in South Korea; 553-meter CN Tower in Toronto, the highest in North America and the 324-meter Eiffel Tower, the iconic symbol of Paris. 

Every day, Otis moves more than 2 billion people through the world's urban landscapes and maintains approximately 2 million elevators and escalators in more than 200 countries and territories.

About Otis
Otis is the world's largest manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Founded more than 160 years ago by the inventor of the safety elevator, Otis offers products and services through its companies in more than 200 countries and territories, and maintains approximately 2 million elevators and escalators worldwide. Otis is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com.

Contact: Katy Padgett
860-324-6121                                         
Kathleen.Padgett@utc.com

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SOURCE Otis Elevator Company