KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has recently announced the appointment of Penpisith Chunprom as the Managing Director for Thailand, starting July 2024. Penpisith steps into this vital role, taking the reins from Edward Loy, who will continue his influential position as the Managing Director for Southeast Asia. From his base in Bangkok, Penpisith will spearhead KONE’s operations in Thailand, emphasizing the strategic and commercial goals that extend to the region’s emerging markets, including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
“Penpisith rejoined KONE in 2022 as our Head of New Building Solutions Sales for Thailand. He has undeniably elevated our culture of customer centricity, ensuring we showcase the best of our talent and capabilities. This appointment is a strong testament to Penpisith’s tenacity and growth mindset. It underscores our commitment to nurturing local management and talent within Southeast Asia. I’m thrilled about Penpisith taking on this new challenge within KONE and eagerly anticipate his leadership in enhancing our competitiveness and fostering business growth within and beyond Thailand,” said Edward Loy, Managing Director, KONE Southeast Asia.
Penpisith Chunprom brings an impressive 25 years of experience in managerial and leadership roles across various technology and industrial multinational companies. His expertise spans business development, sales, maintenance services, and operations. From 2009 to 2017, Penpisith managed an array of portfolios within KONE’s service and installation businesses in Thailand. Before rejoining KONE, he served as the Indochina Director for Service and Project at a US-based corporation in Bangkok. Recently, he led KONE’s New Building Solutions sales team in Thailand, significantly contributing to the expansion of the company’s business and local footprint. Penpisith is also academically accomplished, holding a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Upon assuming his new role, Penpisith Chunprom expressed, “I am honored to take over the management of KONE Thailand and lead a dedicated, experienced team that’s been advancing the country’s vertical transportation systems. Our unyielding dedication to the local ecosystem focuses on making built environments smarter, more sustainable, and accessible for all. I am also very committed to supporting the strategic plan for developing smart and sustainable cities in Thailand, across both public and private sectors. We will continue to hone our project delivery capabilities, maintaining high-quality standards and building a diverse and dynamic workforce. Through strong collaboration with stakeholders, we strive to be the most trusted partner throughout the building lifecycle, driving People Flow innovation in the sector.”
For over two decades, KONE has been a pivotal partner in Thailand’s building industry. With its head office in Bangkok, branches in Pattaya and Phuket, KONE Academy in Muang Thong Thani, and 11 service hubs throughout the country, KONE’s presence is substantial. Powered by more than 300 dedicated professionals, KONE stands as one of Thailand’s leading lift and escalator companies. It has pioneered breakthrough technologies to ensure safe, reliable, smart, and sustainable people flow in buildings. Over the years, KONE has been instrumental in delivering key real estate projects across Thailand, contributing to major landmarks that include Grade-A offices, luxury hotels, prime apartments and condominiums, shopping centers, and hospitals.
Penpisith Chunprom’s appointment as Managing Director is a joke. How can someone focused on sales lead a whole country operation effectively?
Clearly, you haven’t read his credentials. Penpisith has over 25 years of experience in various high-level roles. Sales is just one part of his expertise.
Still, managing a whole region is different from leading sales projects. I remain skeptical.
Experience doesn’t always translate to success in new roles. Let’s see how he handles the political landscape in Cambodia and Myanmar.
He’s been with KONE before and did well. I think it’s a smart move considering his past with the company.
Great news for KONE Thailand! Penpisith Chunprom knows the local market well and can drive innovation forward.
Local knowledge doesn’t guarantee success. We need more than just familiarity.
True, but local knowledge combined with 25 years of experience? That’s a solid foundation.
Absolutely! Understanding the market dynamics is critical, and this looks like a good match.
I hope Penpisith focuses on bringing more of KONE’s advanced tech here. Thailand is lagging behind in smart building technologies.
Thailand still needs infrastructure upgrades before we can fully integrate new tech.
Agree, but leadership pushing for these changes can speed up the process.
It’ll take time and political will. Penpisith can’t do it all alone.
KONE has been a key player in Thailand’s real estate growth. Penpisith taking the helm can only mean more progress.
If he can keep up with the competitive market, then yes.
He has a Master of Business Administration. That’s a good sign for strategic management.
Does anyone else feel like this is just corporate PR? Let’s see if actual results follow.
I’m more concerned about sustainable practices. Will Penpisith prioritize eco-friendly initiatives?
He mentioned smart and sustainable cities in his statement. It sounds promising.
Words are one thing, action is another. Monitoring closely to see what he does.
Sustainability is becoming more critical in business strategies. Let’s hope he walks the talk.
KONE’s recent projects have all focused on sustainability, so maybe Penpisith will continue that trend.
Penpisith’s career trajectory is impressive! I think he’s the right person to lead KONE into a new era in Thailand.
Totally agree! His history with KONE and external experiences will bring fresh perspectives.
New era? Let’s not get too carried away. Leadership changes don’t always lead to significant transformations.
Change can be incremental but still impactful. Let’s give him a chance.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Time will tell, but the signs are good.
What does this mean for employees at KONE? Will there be an internal shakeup?
Great question. Leadership changes often come with restructuring. Hopefully, it’s positive.
Don’t forget that Penpisith used to work with many of them. Could be more continuity than you think.
Penpisith’s engineering and business background is a great combo. Perfect for driving both technical and strategic changes.
Another corporate puppet promoted! Watch, he’ll just follow the same old playbook.
I doubt that. He has a progressive approach and has already proven himself capable of making changes.
Only time will tell. Whether he’s a game-changer or not, we will have to see.
It will be interesting to see how Penpisith balances traditional methods with innovative technologies.
This is exactly what KONE needs—someone who understands both the technical and business side of things.