The latest technology, the finest materials, the best people and an uncompromising approach to customer service combine to promote growth, as Greg Knight and Jim Wolf explain to John O’Hanlon.

Pontoon boats are becoming an increasingly familiar sight on the lakes and inland waterways of the United States, thanks in no small measure to the innovative approach and dedication to customer service offered by Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing, a company with a 40-year reputation for building the finest US-made pontoon boats.

From the earliest days of exploration around Lac de Gras in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the Diavik Diamond Mine has worked closely with the Aboriginal people to protect their environment and share the revenue from the mine. Gay Sutton reports

German manufacturing group RKW has started production at its first plant in Egypt, it has been announced.

The new plant, RKW Egypt, was built in less than 16 months and will be officially inaugurated on Thursday.

RKW invested more than $30 million in the manufacturing building, warehouse and administrative offices on 20,000 square metres of land in 6th October City, 35 kilometres south-west of Cairo.

The $7 billion (£4 billion) sale of BP’s 60 per cent interest in Pan American Energy to Bridas Corporation has collapsed, the company has announced.

The deal had been delayed because the Argentine anti-trust and Chinese regulatory approvals required to complete the transaction had not been obtained by Bridas, BP said.

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Intalite Inc., operating under the name Simplex and based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Simplex designs, develops and manufactures specialty metal ceiling systems for a wide range of market segments and applications, with sales primarily in the United States and Canada.

Mining giant Anglo American has agreed to acquire the Oppenheimer family’s 40 per cent interest in De Beers for US$5.1 billion, taking its own stake up to 85 per cent.

Global oil & gas transactions rose 53 percent to $43 billion in the third quarter of 2011, compared with $29 billion in the second quarter of the year.

International database and services provider PLS, Inc. and Derrick Petroleum Services report 166 transactions with deal values disclosed, with $90 billion of deals currently in play.

Proposals for a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary were unveiled yesterday by Lord Foster, the founder of UK architects Foster & Partners.

The Thames Hub would encompass a new flood barrier and river crossing, rail and shipping infrastructure and an international airport at the Isle of Grain in Kent.

The project was unveiled by Foster & Partners alongside planners and builders Halcrow and consultancy group Volterra.

The Bank of England has issued a new-style £50 note into circulation as of 2 November 2011.

The note features the renowned 18th century business partnership of entrepreneur Matthew Boulton and engineer James Watt.