Chennai-headquartered Johnson Lifts has unveiled plans to invest ₹250 crore over the next two to three years to strengthen its research and development capabilities. The investment will support the development of high-speed elevators exceeding 4 meters per second and the construction of a new testing tower at the company’s Sengadu facility, located near Chennai.
This move comes on the back of strong performance, with the company reporting ₹3,000 crore in revenue last year. Executives have projected a 10% growth for 2025. The new tower will complement Johnson Lifts’ existing 155-foot testing facility at its Poonamallee R&D center. The upcoming structure is expected to significantly expand the firm’s capacity for testing cutting-edge elevator systems.
“We remain confident about the long-term growth of the sector and are investing accordingly,” said Yohan K John, Director at Johnson Lifts. “Our recent expansion in Nagpur and the launch of a new office in Noida, amounting to ₹54 crore, underline our commitment to scaling operations. This R&D investment is central to maintaining our leadership in the Indian market.”
Johnson Lifts currently holds a 20% share in India’s organised elevator market. Its installed base includes approximately 1.93 lakh elevators and 7,000 escalators across the country. The company has contributed to landmark infrastructure projects such as the New Parliament Building, the Statue of Unity, and the New Pamban Bridge.
The firm operates four manufacturing units nationwide, with a combined annual output of 18,000 elevators and 1,000 escalators. Residential elevators make up around 75% of its sales, with the remaining 25% coming from commercial and infrastructure sectors. Escalators contribute less than 5% of the company’s total volume.
CEO V Jagannathan emphasized the company’s strong domestic focus. “India is currently the second-largest elevator market in the world, with annual demand nearing 1 lakh units. Unlike global markets that have reached maturity, India continues to see new construction across urban and rural areas. Meeting this domestic demand remains our top priority before looking at exports.”
To address rising demand in the home segment, Johnson Lifts recently launched Eazy Ride Plus, designed specifically for retrofitting in existing residential buildings. The product is engineered for quiet operation, requires minimal pit depth, and offers quick installation—features that cater directly to customers upgrading older properties.
