{"id":8112,"date":"2026-09-29T08:57:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/potensilift.com\/?p=8112"},"modified":"2026-09-29T08:57:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:57:34","slug":"elevator-motor-brands-a-complete-guide-to-traction-machine-manufacturers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/potensilift.com\/es\/elevator-motor-brands-a-complete-guide-to-traction-machine-manufacturers\/","title":{"rendered":"Elevator Motor Brands: A Complete Guide to Traction Machine Manufacturers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are sourcing an elevator motor<\/strong>, the first thing worth knowing is that the most familiar names are not the ones you can order from. Otis, KONE, and Schindler build complete elevator systems and normally supply their traction machines inside those systems rather than as standalone components. The brand on the elevator car is often not the brand on the machine inside it.<\/p>

This guide sorts elevator motor brands<\/strong> the way you actually need them when sourcing: by whether the component can be bought on its own, what each brand specializes in, and how to verify a machine before you place an order.<\/p>

\"traction<\/figure><\/div>

What Counts as an “Elevator Motor Brand”?<\/h2>

Three terms get mixed together in this market, and the confusion causes real ordering mistakes.<\/p>

Term<\/th>What it means<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Motor<\/strong><\/td>The electric motor alone. In modern elevators, usually a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM).<\/td><\/tr>
Traction machine<\/strong><\/td>The complete assembly: motor, traction sheave, brake, bearings, and mounting frame. This is what actually moves the ropes.<\/td><\/tr>
Drive<\/strong><\/td>The inverter and control electronics that regulate the motor. A separate purchase from the machine.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

When technicians say “elevator motor,” they usually mean the m\u00e1quina de tracci\u00f3n<\/strong>. When a supplier quotes a “motor,” confirm which of the three they are pricing. A quotation for a bare motor will not include the sheave or brake, and the reverse mistake happens just as often.<\/p>

This distinction matters because an elevator motor brand<\/strong> may manufacture the motor, the complete machine, or only the drive. Some brands do all three. Many do one.<\/p>

One naming point is worth knowing. thyssenkrupp Elevator became TK Elevator in 2020.<\/strong> You will still see the former name in circulation, so treat the two as the same company when you cross-reference models and spare parts.<\/p>

The Three Tiers of Elevator Motor Brands<\/h2>

The most useful way to sort elevator motor brands<\/strong> is not by size or fame. It is by whether you can actually buy the component.<\/p>

Tier<\/th>Who they are<\/th>Can you buy the machine alone?<\/th>Typical buyer<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Tier 1 \u2014 Elevator OEM brands<\/strong><\/td>Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Fujitec, Toshiba, Hyundai Elevator<\/td>Usually no. Supplied as part of a complete elevator system.<\/td>Building owners, developers, main contractors<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 2 \u2014 Independent traction machine manufacturers<\/strong><\/td>Montanari, ZIEHL-ABEGG, Torin Drive, Ningbo Xinda, Bluelight, MonaDrive, Monarch, and others<\/td>Yes. Published specifications, quoted as a component.<\/td>Elevator factories, integrators, modernization contractors<\/td><\/tr>
Tier 3 \u2014 Aftermarket and OEM-compatible suppliers<\/strong><\/td>Multi-brand parts distributors and component stockists<\/td>Yes. Original and compatible parts, often from stock.<\/td>Maintenance companies, parts traders, service firms<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

Tier 1 usually receives the most attention, but it is the tier you are least likely to order from. The brands you can buy directly sit in Tier 2 and Tier 3, and that is where a sourcing decision is normally made.<\/p>

Tier 1: Elevator OEM Brands<\/h2>

These are the names most people recognize. They build complete elevators, and they develop their own drive technology \u2014 but the traction machine is normally supplied only inside a complete system or through their authorized service network.<\/p>

Marca<\/th>Origin<\/th>What they are known for in drive technology<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Otis<\/strong><\/td>United States, founded 1853<\/td>Gen2 and Gen3 systems with permanent magnet gearless machines. The ReGen\u2122 regenerative drive returns energy to the building during braking.<\/td><\/tr>
KONE<\/strong><\/td>Finland, founded 1910<\/td>The EcoDisc\u00ae hoisting machine, a permanent magnet synchronous gearless unit that set a benchmark for machine-room-less energy efficiency.<\/td><\/tr>
Schindler<\/strong><\/td>Switzerland, founded 1874<\/td>Pioneered the MULTI ropeless system, which uses linear motors to move several cars in one shaft, both vertically and horizontally.<\/td><\/tr>
TK Elevator<\/strong><\/td>Alemania<\/td>Formerly thyssenkrupp Elevator. The enta100 GL brought gearless PMS machines into the low-rise, cost-sensitive segment.<\/td><\/tr>
Mitsubishi Electric<\/strong><\/td>Japan, founded 1921<\/td>High-speed gearless machines for tall buildings, alongside its broader power electronics business.<\/td><\/tr>
Hitachi<\/strong><\/td>Jap\u00f3n<\/td>Elevators and escalators backed by in-house motor and drive manufacturing.<\/td><\/tr>
Fujitec<\/strong><\/td>Japan, founded 1948<\/td>Machine-room-less traction packages, including the Viridian MRL range.<\/td><\/tr>
Toshiba<\/strong><\/td>Jap\u00f3n<\/td>Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation.<\/td><\/tr>
Hyundai Elevator<\/strong><\/td>South Korea<\/td>The largest elevator manufacturer in South Korea.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

A point worth checking<\/h3>

Hyundai Elevator is not Hyundai Motor.<\/strong> The two share a name but build different products: Hyundai Elevator manufactures elevators and escalators, while Hyundai Motor builds cars. When you are sourcing elevator motor brands<\/strong>, confirm that the company you are dealing with is the elevator business, because spare parts, technical documentation, and service networks sit on the elevator side.<\/p>

Why Tier 1 machines are hard to buy<\/h3>

An OEM traction machine is tuned to that manufacturer’s controller, encoder, brake circuit, and roping design. Selling it as a standalone component would create compatibility and liability problems the OEM has no reason to accept. In practice, if you need a Tier 1 machine, you go through their service organization, and you buy it as part of a repair or modernization package.<\/p>

Tier 2: Independent Traction Machine Manufacturers<\/h2>

This is where component procurement actually happens. These independent elevator motor manufacturers<\/strong> build the machine as a product rather than as part of a finished elevator, publish their specifications, and sell to elevator factories, integrators, and modernization contractors worldwide. It is also the tier where elevator motor brands<\/strong> compete most directly on published data.<\/p>

Marca<\/th>Origin<\/th>Product focus<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Montanari Giulio & C. S.r.l.<\/strong><\/td>Modena, Italy<\/td>Geared and gearless traction machines for elevators and escalators, manufactured in Italy since 1970. The MGV range covers gearless machines; the \u0112LEVO flat gearless design combines gearbox and gearless characteristics in one unit.<\/td><\/tr>
ZIEHL-ABEGG SE<\/strong><\/td>Alemania<\/td>The ZAtop range of permanent-magnet gearless elevator machines for traction sheave rope elevators. The company has also announced a high-performance synchronous lift motor designed without rare earth magnets.<\/td><\/tr>
Torin Drive<\/strong><\/td>China<\/td>A broad range covering AC and DC elevator motors, gearless machines (GTW and ER series), geared traction machines (YJ series), gearmotors, and drives. Widely distributed through the aftermarket.<\/td><\/tr>
Ningbo Xinda Elevator Traction Technology<\/strong><\/td>Ningbo, China<\/td>The MINI series of PMSM gearless machines, available for both machine room and machine-room-less applications, with load coverage from standard passenger duty up to heavy freight. Certifications include KC and CSA.<\/td><\/tr>
Bluelight<\/strong><\/td>China<\/td>Gearless machines using PMSM technology, including rail-mounted versions for space-constrained shafts.<\/td><\/tr>
MonaDrive<\/strong><\/td>Suzhou, China<\/td>PMS gearless traction machines in the MCK series (MCK200, MCK300, MCK400), covering passenger elevator loads from around 320 kg up to 2,000 kg, with 2:1 roping options. SGS-audited manufacturer.<\/td><\/tr>
Monarch<\/strong><\/td>Suzhou, China<\/td>Elevator control cabinets (SLC, WISE3000, and NICE3000-B\/W series), integrated elevator controllers (NICE1000new, NICE3000new, NICE900 door controller), and elevator-specific inverters (ME280, ME320L, MD500L, and ML10 series). The NICE3000new controller combines elevator logic control with traction machine drive.<\/td><\/tr>
Other active manufacturers<\/strong><\/td>Various<\/td>General Elevator Machines S.r.l. and GMV S.p.A. in Italy, plus a large group of Chinese manufacturers including XIZI Forward and Shanghai Kisa.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

What separates Tier 2 from Tier 1<\/h3>

Four practical differences matter when you are buying:<\/p>

  1. You can buy one unit.<\/strong>\u00a0No complete elevator system required.<\/li>\n\n
  2. Specifications are published.<\/strong>\u00a0Rated load, speed, power, torque, sheave dimensions, and rope ratio are quoted openly, so you can compare brands on data rather than reputation.<\/li>\n\n
  3. Customization is normal.<\/strong>\u00a0Rope specifications, sheave groove profiles, brake voltage, and mounting arrangements can often be adapted to an existing installation.<\/li>\n\n
  4. Pricing is transparent.<\/strong>\u00a0Tier 2 machines are quoted per project, which makes budget planning possible.<\/li><\/ol>

    The trade-off<\/h3>

    Tier 2 machines come with more design responsibility on your side. You must confirm the controller supports the motor type, that the encoder and brake circuit match, and that the traction calculation suits the existing ropes and car balance. A Tier 2 machine is a component, not a solution. That is precisely why it is affordable and flexible.<\/p>

    Tier 3: Aftermarket and OEM-Compatible Suppliers<\/h2>

    Tier 3 is where most repairs and modernizations are actually completed. These multi-brand elevator motor suppliers<\/strong> hold stock across many elevator motor brands<\/strong> and match a machine to the installation in front of you, rather than to a catalog.<\/p>

    This tier handles three situations that Tier 1 and Tier 2 cannot:<\/p>