Moving up a gear
Quality and innovative design are the secrets to the success of David Brown Gear Industries. Gay Sutton talks to Bill Gorman of the South Africa division and learns how continuous investment in equipment and skills is keeping the company ahead in the marketplace.
The mining industry undoubtedly uses enormous equipment and David Brown Gear Industries (DBGI) of South Africa designs and manufactures the high quality, highly specified and often enormous gears and gear boxes required by the international mining sector.

Engineering the future

Rising to the challenge
As a continent lacking in much of the basic infrastructure essential for business, Africa could be seen as too challenging for some. But for those companies in the infrastructure sector, the market is wide open, as Likusasa has discovered. Becky Done reports.

The London-listed miner Vedanta is reported to be considering spinning off several of its interests, resulting in five or six companies plus a parent.

BHP Billiton, the worldÔÇÖs largest mining company, has agreed to buy Canadian potash developer Athabasca Potash Inc. (API) for C$341 million ($320 million).  The deal follows news of Brazilian miner Vale's $3.8 billion acquisition on Tuesday of food conglomerate Bunge's Brazilian assets, which are primarily focused on phosphate and fertilizers. BHP signaled its interest in the potash sector by its acquisition of Anglo Potash in 2008.

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis has signed agreements with ChinaÔÇÖs Minsheng Pharmaceutical Co. to form a new consumer healthcare joint venture.

Putting an end to months of speculation, Apple yesterday unveiled its new tablet device, the iPad.

Mining giant Anglo American has said it will start a new venture in South Africa that could create 25,000 jobs in up to 1,500 businesses across the country within the next seven years.