Manufacturing

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.

Global electronics manufacturing services company Sanmina-SCI Corporation today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended 1 October 2011.

The San Jose, California headquartered company reported revenue for the fourth quarter of $1.70 billion, compared to $1.67 billion in the prior quarter and $1.69 billion for the same period of fiscal 2010.

Revenue for the year ended 1 October 2011 was $6.60 billion, up 4.5 percent compared to $6.32 billion for the fiscal year ended 2 October 2010.

Food maker Sara Lee Corporation is to sell the majority of its North American foodservice coffee and tea operations to J.M. Smucker for $350 million.

Sara Lee’s North American foodservice beverage business currently employs approximately 690 people and generated net sales of approximately $530 million in the fiscal year 2011. Approximately $285 million of this was associated with the assets sold to J.M. Smucker.

Following the execution of the agreement, approximately 450 people will transfer to J.M. Smucker, Sara Lee said.

South Africa’s Steinhoff International is to swap several of its industrial assets for a bigger stake in manufacturer KAP International in a deal worth R8.9 billion.

Steinhoff will exchange PG Bison and Unitrans, along with its raw materials assets, for an increase in its shareholding in KAP from 34 per cent to 88 per cent, giving it control of the manufacturer.

The growth potential of Sub-Saharan Africa may be enormous, but unlocking it requires a sound grasp of a very different set of business drivers and challenges. Johan Van Zyl, manufacturing director of Kraft Foods Sub-Saharan Africa, talks to Jane Alverca.

While the West remains mired in gloom and recession, Africa’s economic star is rising. The World Bank and the IMF concur that the continent will play host to some of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next decade, driven by Africa’s immense mineral and natural resource wealth.

Despite historic levels of unemployment, American manufacturing companies are struggling to fill as many as 600,000 skilled positions, according to a new survey from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute.

The survey Boiling Point? The skills gap in US manufacturing, polled a nationally representative sample of 1,123 executives at manufacturing companies recently and revealed that 5 percent of current manufacturing jobs are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates.

International Paper today announced the completion of its acquisition of a 75 percent stake in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills (APPM) of India.

International Paper purchased 53.5 percent of the APPM shares from Mr LN Bangur and related family members and affiliates for approximately US$226 million in cash, plus $57 million for a covenant not to compete.

It has also acquired an additional 21.5 percent of APPM shares in a public tender offer completed on October 8, 2011, for approximately US$105 million in cash.

Rolls-Royce has announced a partnership with Pratt & Whitney to develop next generation engines for mid-size aircraft, as well as a restructuring of the companies’ International Aero Engines collaboration.

The new partnership will see the two companies developing engines for mid-size aircraft (capable of carrying 120 to 230 passengers) that will replace the existing mid-size fleet. Both companies will hold an equal share in the joint venture.

PepsiCo today reported growth in volume, net revenue, operating profit and earnings per share for the third quarter of 2011.

The company reported top-line gains across its worldwide snacks and beverage businesses and from the acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann (WBD), the leading dairy and juice company in Russia.

Worldwide snacks volume grew 8 percent in the quarter and 7 percent year to date, while worldwide beverage volume grew 4 percent in the quarter and 6 percent year to date.

Ghandour Cosmetics is bringing glamour to Ghana and beyond. Founder Tanal Ghandour, who acts as managing director, talks to Jayne Alverca about the impact the company is making on African markets.