USA and Canada

Engman-Taylor Company underwent some restructuring as a result of the economic slowdown. But as Keith Regan learns, the hard times have been put to good use by expanding internal capabilities and strengthening a sales force to pave the way for future growth.

April Terreri learns a few secrets about the success of Shepard Development Corporation, including its philosophy not to build on spec, but to have value-added tenants ready to occupy new office and commercial buildings.

Bridor is thriving by adapting European breads, croissants and pastries to North American tastes, as Pam Derringer learns from company marketing vice president Pierre Martella.

Louis Le Duff arrived in North America from France some 30 years ago with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for food, looking for opportunity. He found it. More accurately, perhaps, he made it.

The history of the iron ore deposits at Mary River is a tale of politics, perseverance and hope, as Richard “Bo” McCloskey, chairman and interim CEO and president of Baffinland Iron Mines, reveals to Andrew Pelis.

The story of the Mary River iron ore deposits is a compelling tale of national pride, split opinions and fluctuating prices, with a splash of political intrigue. For these reasons, the high-grade iron ore reserves remain undeveloped, nearly a half century after they were first discovered by Murray Watts and Ron Sheardown.

The Lodi Energy Center Project is scheduled for completion by mid-2012, which means that contractors will be racing the clock—and awaiting final design—even after the shovels hit the dirt this summer. Keith Regan learns how the project will help augment existing energy production capabilities with greener power and how the lead general contractor plans to leverage its extensive experience to bring the work in on time.

Aecon, Canada's largest public construction and infrastructure development company, has signed a letter of intent to purchase oil sands mining contractor Cow Harbour Construction for $180 million.

Technical and management support services consultancy AECOM Technology Corporation has strengthened its global footprint with an agreement to acquire Davis Langdon, a UK-based cost and project management consultancy firm, in a transaction valued at US$324 million.

With 2,800 employees, Davis Langdon serves clients around the world, with a strong presence in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

Reliance Industries, India’s biggest company by market value, agreed to buy its third shale gas asset in the US this year, acquiring a 60 percent stake in acreages from Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. and its partner.

Reliance will pay $392 million for the stake in the Marcellus shale gas areas of central and north-east Pennsylvania. The Mumbai-based company will pay $340 million in cash and cover part of Carrizo’s drilling costs over two years.

UK company Inmarsat has ordered a fleet of three advanced satellites from Boeing for about £629 million, in order to deliver faster broadband service to customers by the end of 2014.

The major upgrade to Ka-Band satellites will enable London-based Inmarsat to offer broadband to commercial and government clients at speeds up to 20 times faster and at less cost than its ageing L-Band fleet, which operates at the opposite end of the frequency spectrum.

Sales of new automobiles in the United States rose to their highest level of the year in July, as improved access to credit and leasing allowed motorists to replace their ageing cars and rental operators and fleet owners to upgrade their fleets.

Summer promotions, which usually begin in August but were pulled ahead this year, also had an effect, tempting buyers even though the price of the automobile was no cheaper than in previous months.