Turning a real estate constraint into a performance driver: the KONE project

KONE France is a major player in urban mobility, specialising in elevators, escalators and building transportation solutions.

The company operates in complex technical environments, combining office and logistics activities. This project involves more than 400 employees, including office staff and field technicians, with strong challenges in operational performance and employee experience.

The project went far beyond a simple office relocation.
KONÉ had to address several key challenges:

• Rapidly relocate its operations to a suitable new site within a constrained context
   
• Optimise underutilised spaces, with occupancy rates below 50%
   
• Rethink space organisation and logistics flows, particularly within the warehouse
   
• Reconcile very different uses, between office work (flex office) and field operations
   
• Improve workplace attractiveness, moving from a purely functional environment to a more engaging one
   
• Support a transformation of working methods, including the implementation of flex office
   
• Create a trade showroom and event space dedicated to sales teams, customers and partners;

The core challenge: successfully optimise workspace while ensuring operational performance, adoption of new ways of working, and business continuity.

AREMIS supported KONE throughout the entire project, from strategy to operational delivery.

• Strategic framing and decision support
   
• Design of a hybrid environment (offices + logistics)
   
• Implementation of flex office and change management
   
• Carrying out the works under a general contract with the owner acting as a co-contractor
   
• Relocation management and handling of logistics complexity
   
• Integration of technical and digital components

The project resulted in a unified site in Colombes, comprising two buildings on the same campus: one for office and logistics use, and the other serving as a showroom and business centre.

Spaces were redesigned to optimise usage, streamline flows and reflect the company’s identity, with full integration of digital tools and new ways of working.

The project transformed a real estate constraint into a driver of sustainable performance, optimising spaces, usage and operations.

• 30–40% reduction in floor space -> reduced environmental footprint
   
• More efficient use of space, with budget reallocated to high-quality fittings: optimised costs
   
• Logistics flows and warehouse organisation redesigned through process review
   
• Roll-out of flexible working and seamless adoption of new practices
   
• Enhanced collaboration and synergies, and a better employee experience
   
• Digitalisation of workspaces and training in digital tools