Press Release

10.01.2019

Kevin Lavallee takes over as CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator North America

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• A renowned elevator expert with an extensive global leadership background, Lavallee brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to the role
• Lavallee follows Interim CEO Steve Wedge, who will return to his full-time duties as Chief Financial Officer for thyssenkrupp Elevator North America

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ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA (October 1, 2019) – thyssenkrupp Elevator is proud to announce that Kevin Lavallee has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for thyssenkrupp Elevator North America. Lavallee is a highly respected elevator industry executive and follows Interim CEO, Steve Wedge, who transitions back to his role as Chief Financial Officer.

Accounting for more than one-third of the group’s total global revenue, North America and its 11,000 employees are a key pillar for thyssenkrupp Elevator.

“North America is our most profitable business unit, and the region has great potential for strong, sustainable growth,” said Peter Walker, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator. “I am confident that Kevin will not only help build on the strong foundation that has been established in North America, but will also help bring the region to a next level of success.”

Lavallee spent most of his career serving in roles of increasing responsibility within thyssenkrupp Elevator starting in the early 1990s when he worked for Canada-based Northern Elevator, which was acquired by thyssenkrupp. Between 2000 and 2011, Lavallee served as President for thyssenkrupp Elevator in Canada, Australia and the United States (New England Region), respectively.

After pursuing an opportunity outside the elevator industry, Lavallee returned in 2019 as the Global Head of Field for thyssenkrupp Elevator, where he has field operations oversight over 50,000 employees in 65 countries. Lavallee will continue in this role in addition to his responsibilities as CEO North America.

“thyssenkrupp has always held a very special place for me, and I feel very blessed to return to an organization that has meant so much to me and my family for so many years,” said Lavallee.

Among his many accomplishments previously at thyssenkrupp Elevator, Lavallee was instrumental in the acquisition of Dover Elevator, the largest acquisition in thyssenkrupp Elevator history, while also nearly tripling sales in Canada.

Lavallee will be based out of thyssenkrupp Elevator’s new North American headquarters in Atlanta. In July 2018, thyssenkrupp announced it would be building a new North American headquarters next to The Battery Atlanta. The three-building complex will include a 420-foottall Innovation and Qualification Center, which will be home to the tallest elevator test tower in the Western Hemisphere.

“I’m a builder at heart – from construction sites to teams to businesses, I love getting in on the ground floor to build something better and stronger than what previously existed,” continued Lavallee. “thyssenkrupp Elevator has established a strong foundation in North America, but we can do even better. We are poised to revolutionize an industry that has been stagnant for far too long, and I cannot wait to roll my sleeves up and dive in.”