Hitachi to construct new development facility to accelerate development of next-generation elevator technology

Photorealistic render of the new development facility (left) and the Mito Works (right)

Tokyo, June 9, 2025 Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, hereafter Hitachi), and Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. (hereafter Hitachi Building Systems) today announced that they will construct a new development facility to accelerate the development of next-generation elevator technology at the Mito Works (Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture), a development, design, and manufacturing base for elevators and escalators, as part of the enhancement of research and development activities in the Building System Business. At the new development facility, they will promote the development of the next generation of standard elevators, which are approximately 80% of new elevator installation in Japan, and the development of products that meet the demand related to the modernization of older elevators. The new development facility will be built on the premises of the Mito Works adjacent to G1TOWER, which, at 213 meters above ground, is the tallest elevator research tower in Japan*. Construction will start in July 2025 and will be completed in February 2027.

*

In terms of the height of the elevator research facility. It was the tallest in the world when it was completed in April 2010. As of June 2025, the world's highest elevator research facility is H1 TOWER owned by Hitachi Elevator (China) Co., Ltd. With a height of 273.8 meters above ground level, H1 TOWER is an elevator testing tower at their research, development, and manufacturing base in Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China. The records above have been investigated by Hitachi.

Background behind the construction of the new development facility

In Japan, Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems are promoting the development of elevators and escalators at R&D (research and development) facilities at the Mito Works including G1TOWER and at R&D facilities in Tokyo. The goal of the construction of the new development facility within Mito Works is to accelerate the development of elevators and escalators for new installation and modernization activities by consolidating the development sites at the Mito Works. They will also promote the development of digital services for the maintenance of building equipment including elevators and escalators and BuilMirai building IoT solutions, at the R&D facilities in Tokyo. The goal is to strengthen the development functions of the building systems business.
At the new development facility, they will promote the development of next-generation models of standard elevators, which account for around 80% of the number of elevators demanded for new installation in Japan, and modernization products that replace the existing elevators, whose demand continues growing from the perspective of safety and disaster preparedness.

Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems will provide solutions that combine three of Hitachi's strengths: IT including smart monitoring and data analysis for building facilities, OT (operational technology) possessed by frontline workers, and quality products with excellent environmental performance. Through the provision of these solutions, they will contribute to realizing green buildings and towns, to the safe, secure and comfortable lives who gather there, to improving their well-being, and to creating a society where frontline workers in buildings and towns are empowered.

Outline of the New Development Facility

Hitachi Building Systems Website

Hitachi Elevators and Escalators Website

Hitachi Building Systems Brand Channel

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.