Otis Elevator Company is the world’s largest manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Otis is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.

OTIS HISTORY

Otis has changed the shape of the world. From humble beginnings in Yonkers, New York, to the worldwide industry leader it is today, Otis’ long history is a testament to safety, service and performance.

Perched on a hoisting platform high above the crowd at New York’s Crystal Palace, a pragmatic mechanic shocked the crowd when he dramatically cut the only rope suspending the platform on which he was standing. The platform dropped a few inches, but then came to a stop. His revolutionary new safety brake had worked, stopping the platform from crashing to the ground. “All safe, gentlemen!” the man proclaimed.

The man riding the hoist was Elisha Graves Otis, the founder and namesake of our company. With his safety brake, Otis literally started the elevator industry. His invention enabled buildings – and architects’ imaginations – to climb ever skyward, giving a new and bolder shape to the modern urban skyline.

Mr. Otis sold his first safe elevators in 1853. Today, more than a century and a half later, Otis still stands as the world’s leading elevator company, with more than 60,000 employees serving customers in nearly every country on earth. Thanks to their dedication, you can ride Otis equipment with confidence, knowing that it represents more than 150 years of experience in both safety and quality.