据路透社在内的多家媒体报道，通力电梯聘用了德国最顶尖的法律公司之一的恒乐律师事务所，所为其收购蒂森克虏伯电梯业务部门的计划提供顾问服务。恒乐律师事务所曾为印度塔塔钢铁公司与蒂森克虏伯的试图开创合资企业提供过服务。根据信源，“此举强调了通力电梯在收购业务上的战略意义”。9月4日，蒂森克虏伯正式向通力电梯，迅达电梯，奥的斯和日立，以及数家私募投资公司发送了收购意向书，称两周内回复有效，且蒂森克虏伯希望可以在年底前签订收购合同。蒂森克虏伯的业务还涉及到钢铁、设备工程和汽车配件多个部门，但目前最赚钱的仍然是电梯业务部门。信源称，通力电梯CEO韩瑞龙说蒂森克虏伯的电梯业务部门“非常合适”，通力电梯有可能是“最有谋略的竞标人”。

　　KONE HIRES LAW FIRM TO ADVISE ON POTENTIAL THYSSENKRUPP BID

　　KONE has hired one of Germany’s top corporate law firms, Hengeler Mueller,  to advise it on a possible takeover bid for thyssenkrupp’s elevator business, Reuters is among news outlets to report. KONE and Hengeler Mueller — which helped advise Tata Steel on its failed joint venture with thyssenkrupp — declined comment. The source says “the move underscores KONE’s strategic interest in the business,” for which thyssenkrupp formally sought buyers recently via letters to KONE, Schindler, Otis and Hitachi, as well as several private-equity firms, Reuters says, observing on September 4 that responses to the letters were anticipated within two weeks and that thyssenkrupp is expected to sign a deal by the end of the year. thyssenkrupp is involved in steel, plant engineering and car parts, but its elevator segment is, by far, its most profitable division. Since KONE CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth has described thyssenkrupp’s elevator business as a “perfect fit,” KONE is seen as the “most likely strategic bidder,” the source says.