For the first time, Earning before Interest and Tax (EBIT) at the Group's Elevator and Escalator Division exceeds 10% of gross revenue. Net profit of the Group reaches CHF634 million, also a record.The Group introduces quarterly financial reporting, after previously reporting full-year and half-year results only.

Schindler extends the launch of its newest elevator programs to Asia and Latin America, following their successful introduction in Europe. With the Schindler 3100, 3300 and 5300 - all machine room-less elevators – Schindler has a highly competitive product portfolio for residential and smaller commercial buildings. Schindler acquires a 49% stake in a Qatar elevator company, owned by a member of the Gulf state's ruling family. The renamed Al Doha Schindler Elevators & Escalators WLL was previously Schindler's exclusive distributor in Qatar.

Escalator production moves to Slovakia from Vienna, Austria, which remains the management and competence center for Schindler's global escalator business. Global markets are supplied by Schindler's escalator plants in China, the US, Brazil and SlovakiaSchindler expands its presence in southeast Europe by opening a new subsidiary in Serbia alongside established Schindler companies in Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia. Schindler now moves 900 million people per day worldwide, based on its expanding service portfolio (elevators and escalators maintained by the Group's companies). Schindler stages the third Schindler Award, its biannual competition for schools and students of architecture in Europe. The winners are two young architects from Germany's Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, which also won the Schools' prize. The 2008 competition generated more interest than ever with 957 students from 17 European countries taking part. A total of 125 projects made it into the final judging round.

The ALSO Group, in which Schindler has a majority stake, acquires the remaining 49,9% of GNT Holding, after buying a majority stake in 2006. ALSO closes the loss-making subsidiaries in Sweden and Poland so as to concentrate on its profitable businesses in other parts of Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Alfred Spörri (1938) retires from the Schindler Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Board after a 40-year career at Schindler. He also served as Chief Financial Officer, Group Controller and Treasurer, and head of Schindler's subsidiary in Mexico.

Schindler ensures uninterrupted mobility during the Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics with on-site service teams for the 175 Schindler escalators and elevators serving the Olympic Park and the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium. Landmark projects won include one to supply 59 escalators for an historic undersea railway line linking Europe and Asia Minor in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Schindler is also supplying Switzerland's tallest building, the Prime Tower in Zurich, with some of the fastest elevators in Switzerland, capable of speeds of 6 m/s. Other prestigious projects include 232 elevators and escalators for a series of buildings in China's Pearl River New Town, Guangzhou; and 299 elevators for a new city called Madinaty being constructed near the Egyptian capital, Cairo.