THYSSENKRUPP EXPANDS NEUHAUSEN FACILITY

thyssenkrupp has expanded its elevator manufacturing facility in Neuhausen, Germany, to include a technology park and sales/service center. Along with other modernizations and upgrades in Neuhausen over the past three years, the expansion represents an investment of approximately US$130.7 million. More than 1,500 employees are based at the location, where thyssenkrupp Elevator CEO Andreas Schierenbeck said "the most innovative elevators for the world's tallest buildings will be produced in the future."

HITACHI RECEIVES 62-UNIT ORDER FOR VIETNAM RAIL LINE

Elevator Asia Pte. Ltd., the division of Hitachi serving Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, received an order to supply 32 elevators and 31 escalators to 11 elevated train stations in Urban Railway Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Representing the largest order ever for Hitachi in Vietnam, the units are scheduled for delivery in 2017. This is the first order for Hitachi escalators in Vietnam. With establishment of the first urban railway in the country and continued growth, Hitachi anticipates increased demand for its vertical-transportation systems.

FORT WORTH OFFICE TOWER SET TO START RISING

A US$115-million, 25-story office tower that will serve as headquarters for oil and gas company Jetta Operating is set to start rising at Taylor and Sixth streets in Fort Worth, Texas, the Star-Telegram reports. Construction is expected to start by the end of 2015 on the Anthracite Building, with occupancy at the start of 2018. It will boast 230,000 sq. ft. of office space, 16,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space and outdoor terraces, 7,000 sq. ft. of ground-level retail and 900 parking spaces over 15 floors.

TALL-BUILDING BOOM UNDERWAY IN HOUSTON

A tall-building boom is underway in Houston, and the Houston Chronicle has published a gallery highlighting some of the dozen-plus projects recently completed or scheduled for completion in 2016. Among the tallest is a 40-story residential building being developed by Jackson & Ryan Architects at Preston and Milam streets, expected to open in 2016, and a 39-story mixed-use tower opening soon in the 2900 block of Weslayan Street, developed by PM Realty Group.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-4-2015