Manufacturing

Westport Innovations Inc. has entered into an additional agreement with General Motors for a second advanced technology development program.

Westport and GM are now developing two different combustion, controls and emissions approaches to natural gas engines, with the first cooperative technology project being announced in June 2011.

The new program will optimize advanced natural gas technologies and applications for maximum CO2 reduction and fuel efficiency in light-duty vehicles.

One of South Africa’s leading bulk material handling specialists is playing its part in making material handling easier, safer and more productive.

Israel’s Elbit Systems has won a contract worth $62 million to upgrade the Korean Air Force’s C-130 transport aircraft.

Under the terms of the contract, the C-130 aircraft will be installed with various types of advanced electronic systems, and the existing analogue cockpit converted to a ‘glass cockpit’ using Elbit Systems' digital flight displays.

The work is expected to take around four years, and will be carried out in co-operation with Korea Aerospace Industries, Korea’s leading local aircraft manufacturer.

US vehicle manufacturers are producing higher-quality vehicles than ever before, according to the JD Power and Associates 2012 US Initial Quality Study (IQS) released today.

WABCO Holdings Inc, a tier-one supplier to the commercial vehicle industry, has entered into a long-term supply agreement with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).

WABCO will supply its MAXXUS air disc brake technology for series production on DTNA's trucks starting in July 2012.

Pioneered in Europe, MAXXUS represents the lightest and highest performing single-piston air disc brake for North America's commercial vehicle industry, reducing the vehicle's overall weight, which boosts fuel efficiency and enables increased transport payload.

Rolls-Royce has won a contract worth more than £1 billion to deliver reactor cores for the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

The contract from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) includes regeneration of Rolls-Royce’s current submarine reactor core manufacturing facility in Derby, UK. Rolls-Royce said it will introduce the latest technology and manufacturing techniques to deliver increased efficiencies, completing a phased rebuild to provide a “leading-edge manufacturing facility with the highest standards of safety”.

Premier Foods, the UK’s largest food producer, has reached an agreement to sell its vinegar and sour pickles business to Mizkan for £41 million.

The sale, which includes the Sarson’s, Haywards and Dufrais brands, is expected to complete by the end of July 2012.

The agreement marks the latest stage in the company’s strategy to prioritise investment into its eight ‘Power Brands’ and divest selected non-core businesses.

The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) has entered into an agreement to sell its Belgian continental cheese packing operation, IDB Belgium, to Netherlands-based Royal FrieslandCampina.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed by 31 July 2012.

Proceeds from the transaction will be invested in furthering the IDB’s strategic growth plans and in international acquisition prospects.

Johnson Controls today participated in a signing ceremony in Tianjin, China to announce a planned $200 million automotive battery plant, pending final approval.

The state-of-the-art facility will supply automakers and the aftermarket in China with high quality maintenance-free lead-acid starter batteries and advanced batteries for start-stop vehicles.

West Africa’s largest economy is not entirely defined by its offshore resources: Presco Plc has been helping to reverse the decline in agricultural staples, and in particular the versatile fruit of the oil palm.