The UK’s Weir Group has agreed to acquire US-based Seaboard Holdings for $675 million (£431 million).

Based in Houston, Texas, Seaboard manufactures engineered wellhead and pressure control equipment for the oil & natural gas exploration and production industries. The company also provides a range of field and support services, including equipment rental for the onshore oil & gas drilling, completion and production markets.

Andy Hutt, CEO of triOpsis, looks at the need for visibility in industries that rely on physical assets and the steps that can be taken to avoid failures.

A surprising number of businesses have yet to define clear targets for reducing their carbon emissions. Hugh Jones, managing director of the Carbon Trust Advisory Services, explains why the time has come to take action.

Roman Bukary of NetSuite Inc outlines the benefits and advantages offered by the modern supply web.

Trading globally is not just for the big multinationals, says Linda Kozlowski, director of Global Marketing and Customer Experienceat Alibaba.com.

Scott Morrison, chief technology officer and chief architect of Layer 7 Technologies, outlines the steps companies should take to ensure the success of their cloud initiatives.

TRW Automotive has announced it is to open a new facility in the state of Queretaro, Mexico, to produce a range of advanced brake systems.

The 150,000 square foot plant will manufacture hydraulic control units for a variety of electronic stability control systems, as well as brake actuation units including boosters and master cylinders.

Production at the new plant is expected to begin near the end of the first quarter in 2012, with an estimated total employment of 450 when full production is reached.

Norway’s AGR Group has agreed to sell its field operations business, AGR FO, to the Norwegian subsidiary of Oceaneering International.

Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, AGR FO is a provider of inspection, maintenance, subsea engineering and field operations services, principally to the oil and gas industry.

Vancouver-based Silvercorp has acquired China’s SX Gold Mining Company for US$22.75 million, it has been announced.

The company has made the purchase through its 77.5 percent owned subsidiary Henan Found Mining Co. A payment of $19.6 million has already been made, with the balance due upon completion of the share transaction and the transfer of the mining and exploration permits. 

UK automotive output has recovered to pre-recession levels, according to a report released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The SMMT’s 12th Annual Sustainability Report showed that manufacturing turnover in 2010 was up 20 per cent year-on-year to £49 billion, while output was up 27.8 per cent—a return to pre-recession volumes.

The number of vehicles exported rose by 31 per cent, totalling £29 billion in value.