Toyota Motor has announced plans to construct a new JPY49bn ($445.5M) production plant in Malaysia.To be constructed in Klang, Selangor, the new facility will have a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually. The company believes that the facility is the next step in its efforts to develop competitive plants using the latest production technologies such as freely extensible lines and compact painting booths. Toyota’s managing officer Tatsuro Takami said: "This plant is another of our efforts to create new, competitive plants, following the decisions made last year to create a new plant in Mexico and a new line in China, and the opening of two new engine plants this year in Indonesia and Brazil. "In addition to introducing cutting edge production technologies, we will dedicate ourselves to developing the personnel who support the making of ever-better cars. By doing this, we will provide high quality vehicles to Malaysian customers through UMWT."
TCL subsidiary China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) is set to start construction on a Gen 11 LCD panel fabrication plant in Shenzhen, China.Expected to cost RMB50bn ($7.8bn) the facility will produce extra-large high-resolution flat panel displays targeting 45", 65" or even larger LCD TV markets.Upon completion, the new production line will exceed BOE’s Gen 10.5 — which commenced construction in December 2015 in Anhui Province — in terms of generation and investment.Currently, CSOT has three production lines, namely T1, T2 and T3, producing small and large LCD panels for TVs, smartphones and tablets.
The 35m-deep foundation for a $300M mixed-use complex in Sri Lanka is nearing completion.Designed by Gensler and developed by ITC Limited subsidiary WelcomHotels Lanka Private Limited, the complex will include about 350 rooms on 25 floors in the first phase, over 130 luxury residences on 50 floors comprising master penthouses, penthouses, four-, three- and two-bedroom apartments, banqueting and cuisine experiences, as well as retail and serviced office spaces.The project, named ‘ITC One, Colombo 1’, will generate direct employment for around 800 people and indirect employment for another 400 people in its various components. WelcomHotels Lanka managing director Arun Pathak said: "The ITC One, Colombo 1 is a very exciting development, creating an international icon for Colombo, offering the best international quality in hospitality and residences."It truly represents the splendour of gracious living. It is set to be an employment-multiplier and will undoubtedly become a vibrant symbol of Sri Lanka’s resurgent economic growth."
Honda Motor Company has completed construction and inaugurated its new plant located at Rojana Industrial Park in Prachinburi, Thailand.The 214,000 sq m facility has been developed with an investment of THB17.15bn ($484.6M) and has a production capacity of 120,000 units annually. The new plant is equipped with Honda’s highly-efficient and environmentally-responsible production technologies — introduced at Honda’s Yorii Plant in Japan — and will serve to enhance the company’s capability to deliver quality products for customers in Thailand and across the world, says the manufacturer.Honda Motor president, CEO and representative director Takahiro Hachigo said: “Thailand has increased its presence as one of Honda’s production hubs by supplying products and components not only for the home market but also for the world including ASEAN nations, which drive our global sales growth. “I am committed to making certain that the role of Thailand will become even more valuable with the completion of this all-new Prachinburi factory with full advantage of Honda’s newest production technologies.”The plant currently has 1,400 employees.
Otis China has announced the construction of a new 270m-high elevator test tower as part of a new global R&D facility in Shanghai.Anticipated to be the world’s tallest above-ground test tower, it has been designed to be flexible and easily adaptable to the testing of new components and systems as they evolve.The project will support the development of new technologies for use in elevators for different market segments in order to deliver high efficiency, small footprints, industry-leading safety, comfort and convenience for passengers, says Otis.Otis’ president Philippe Delpech said: “Building our new test tower and R&D Center in Shanghai underscores our continuous commitment to satisfy customers in China and around the world.“As the industry leader that introduced safe elevator technology, this is a strong example of how we are investing to accelerate innovation and technology development for our next generation elevators and service.”The new facilities, part of a network of research facilities and test towers set to spread across four continents, are expected to be operational by the end of 2018.Otis has supplied lifts for iconic high buildings around the world, including the 828m Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building; the 599m Ping’An Financial Center in Shenzhen, one of the highest buildings in China when completed this year; the 555m Lotte World Tower in Seoul, the tallest in South Korea; the 553m CN Tower in Toronto, the highest in North America; and the 324m Eiffel Tower, Paris’ iconic symbol.
Coca-Cola Beverage has broken ground on a new $185m eco-friendly plant in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.The new 195,632 sq m plant is being constructed in the Majinpu New Town Industrial Base in Kunming National Hi-tech Industries Development Zone to replace an existing plant, tripling the number of bottling lines from four to 12.When completed, the plant will deliver an annual capacity of 423m unit cases of beverage with both sparkling and still products, across brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Ice Dew and Ice Dew Chunyue.The new factory will adopt green building standards regarding the site selection, building environment, water-saving and energy-saving measures, air protection, material and resource utilization, indoor environment quality and design innovation. It will also adhere to the international certification system requirement for the Silver Certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group China CEO Glen Walter said: "The new plant will become an important production base for Coca-Cola in China's southwest region."This investment will not only provide strong support to Coca-Cola's sustainable development in Yunnan, but also boost economic development locally by increasing job opportunities and enhancing collaboration."The new plant is part of the Coca-Cola's current $4bn investment plan, which began in 2015 and will continue through 2017.
Gammon Construction, an equal stake joint venture of Balfour Beatty, has secured a contract worth HKD1.6bn ($206m) from Hysan Development Company to build the Lee Garden Three project in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.The project will involve the construction of 20 levels of Grade A offices sitting atop a five-storey retail podium of shops and a range of food and beverage establishments. It will feature a five-level basement, with about 200 parking lots.Owned and developed by Hysan, Lee Garden Three project will be built on the former site of Sunning Plaza and Sunning Court. It will be part of Hysan’s cluster of commercial buildings in Causeway Bay, fronting Hysan Avenue.The company will use latest construction technologies such as Building Information Modeling, 4D modeling and 3D scanning to enhance the project’s environmental friendliness and construction efficiency.The project is scheduled to be completed in late 2017.Gammon CEO Thomas Ho said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Hysan as the construction partner of this redevelopment project. Our team is committed to delivering maximum efficiency, a smooth running project and minimal disruption to the public.”
Goodman Group has commenced the second stage of development of the $1.5bn Goodman Business Park in Chiba Newtown, Japan.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) has signed an agreement with the municipal government of Nanjing, China to invest $3bn in building an advanced silicon wafer plant in Nanjing.The new facility in Nanjing’s Pukou Economic Development Zone will have a capacity to manufacture 20,000 12-inch semiconductors, or wafers, per month. The investment would also support the construction of a design service centre.TSMC chairman Morris Chang said: “With our 12-inch fab and our design service center in Nanjing, we aim to provide closer support to customers as well as expand our business opportunities in China in step with the rapid growth of the Chinese semiconductor market over the last several years. “We look forward to stronger collaboration with our customers to further expand our market share in China.”
Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) construction division has secured several contracts worth INR32.05bn ($480m) across its various businesses.Of these, INR20.18bn ($302.2m) worth of contracts have been awarded to the company's buildings and factories business.These include a contract from a Mumbai-based developer for a turnkey high-rise residential project. The scope of the contract will include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishing works for six towers, each rising 55 to 60 floors.The business has also secured additional orders from several existing customers for the development of commercial and residential spaces.The power transmission and distribution business has won contracts worth INR7.1bn ($106.3m).In the company's domestic Indian market, the business has secured a turnkey contract from Powergrid Southern Interconnector Transmission System to build a 400kV double circuit transmission line linking Cuddapah to Madhugiri, as well as another contract from Power Grid Corporation of India for the construction of a 765kV double circuit transmission line at Cuddapah.In the international market, Larsen & Toubro (Oman) has secured a turnkey contract from Oman Electricity Transmission Company to build 400kV reactor transformers and associated works at Sur and Izki substations.
Toshiba has announced plans to build a new semiconductor fabrication facility in Japan’s Mie prefecture.The new Fab 2 building will be built on land adjacent to the Yokkaichi Operations memory production complex in Mie prefecture. It will be used for expanded production of the company’s proprietary 3D flash memory product brand Bics Flash.Production requires needs a new clean room with dedicated equipment for the 3D process. The new facility will initially offer this space following its completion in the first half of fiscal 2016.The construction and equipment investment for the project is estimated to cost about JPY360bn ($3.2bn). The investment will take place from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2018. Final decisions on the construction timeline and facility investment will be made in fiscal 2016, with production due to start in 2018.
Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) construction division has secured contracts with a combined value of INR16.72bn ($248.3m) across various businesses.The company’s building and factories business has won contracts worth INR9.67bn ($143.6m). These include an EPC contract for a multi-storied residential project in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The scope of the contract, awarded by UP Avas Vikas Parisad, will include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishes. The business has also secured a turnkey contract from a Mumbai developer to build a multi-storied residential building and retail space. The scope of the work will include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as well as finishes.L&T’s power transmission and distribution business has won contracts valued at INR5.8bn ($86.1m) in the international markets. These include an EPC contract in Ethiopia for construction of a 400/230/15 kV substation, as well as three 230/15 kV substations at various locations. The project, awarded by Ethiopian Electric Power, has secured financing from the French Development Agency.The business has also received another EPC contract in South East Asia to build a high-voltage substation.In addition, L&T Construction’s Water & Effluent Treatment Business has secured order worth INR1.25bn ($18.6m).
Samsung C&T has secured a SGD450m ($320m) contract from the State Courts of Singapore for the construction of the State Courts Towers.
Ssangyong Engineering & Construction’s Dubai unit and China State Construction Engineering (Middle East) have secured a contract worth AED1.4bn ($381.1m) from Nakheel to build The Palm Gateway at Dubai’s master development Palm Jumeirah.
Century Properties Group, via its subsidiary Century City Development Corporation (CCDC), and Japanese firm Mitsubishi have broken ground on Forbes Media Tower at Century City in Makati, Philippines.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has received approval from the Indian Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda for the expansion of its trauma centre in New Delhi, India.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided funding for the development of a €318m hospital in Konya, in the central Anatolian region of Turkey.
Dubai developer Nakheel has signed a joint venture agreement with RIU Hotels & Resorts to develop a $170m hotel at Nakheel's Deira Islands master development.