USA and Canada

Just two weeks after announcing an exclusivity agreement with a view to a strategic business combination, Walter Energy and Western Coal have agreed to a C$3.3 billion merger.

Walter Energy will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Western Coal for C$11.50 per share in cash or 0.114 of a Walter Energy share, or for a combination subject to pro-ration.

Siemens Energy celebrates the official opening of its new wind turbine nacelle assembly facility in Hutchinson, Kansas, today.

"We're investing in wind in America because we believe that wind power is here to stay," said Eric Spiegel, CEO of Siemens Corporation. “The US is one of the most important wind power markets in the world and by opening our first nacelle assembly facility in the US we are closer to our customers, allowing us to better meet the strong demand for clean energy right where it's used.

Johnson Controls, a major US-based supplier of automotive seating systems, interior components and electronics, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the C. Rob. Hammerstein Group (CRH).

CRH is a global supplier of metal seat structures and mechanisms and is recognized for its high level of quality. CRH's headquarters and main development facilities are based in Solingen, Germany.

ABB continues to make news this week, with the announcement of an offer to purchase US electric-motor manufacturer Baldor Electric Co in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion, including $1.1 billion of net debt.

The transaction closes a gap in ABB’s automation portfolio in North America by adding Baldor’s strong NEMA motors product line. Baldor also adds a growing and profitable mechanical power transmission business to ABB’s portfolio.

Electric vehicles are still in the slow lane according to a new study by Kelley’s Blue Book, which found that only seven percent of people shopping for a new car would consider purchasing one.

For the majority of respondentsto the Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence study, the primary concerns about electric vehicles included the drivable range on a single charge (87 percent) and availability of charging stations (84 percent).

Todd Bolanz, president of LCD manufacturer LXD LLC, tells Jane Bordenave how the company grew from producing screens for digital watches to being one of the biggest players in high reliability displays for use in industry.

By financing the construction of the DeLong Mountain Transportation System in the icy Northwest, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority made the development of the world’s second-largest zinc mine possible. Karsten Rodvik and Jim Hemsath talk to Gay Sutton about how the project has boosted the region’s economic development.

Under the guidance of a new executive chairman with extensive mining experience, Tamerlane Ventures is raising the $120 million it will need to return the Pine Point mine to full production. Keith Regan learns how leveraging novel technologies and other operational improvements have altered the economics of the project.

While mankind continues to search the corners of the earth for adventure or resources, there will always be a need for safe, cost effective transportation. Dave Mathieson, president and chief pilot of Summit Air, tells Rob Harris about the innovative approach that has underpinned the company’s growth.

Rob Harris talks to Severn Trent De Nora, a leading provider of innovative water disinfection systems to the marine and offshore industries.

Water is undoubtedly our most precious natural resource—we can’t live without it, yet only three percent of the world’s water resources are fit for human consumption and almost 97 percent are in the oceans.