USA and Canada

Hunt Construction Group brings extensive ballpark and stadium-building experience to the joint venture formed to oversee construction of the Florida Marlins’ new Major League Baseball stadium. Keith Regan learns how project leaders are using technology and teamwork to ensure the team can play ball in the spring of 2012.

Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman gave a presentation followed by a question and answer session yesterday at The New York Stock Exchange to review the company's updated five-year strategy and goals with analysts and investors.

Oberhelman expressed confidence about Caterpillar's growth opportunities throughout the world and the company's strategic focus on operational execution, which will drive financial performance over the next five years.

As widely expected, General Motors has filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission as the first step towards an initial public offering (IPO) which is expected to be one of the largest in US history.

A GM IPO is expected to raise anything between $12 billion and $20 billion. The record for the largest IPO is currently held by Visa, which raised $19.7 billion in 2008.

UK satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat is to receive almost £218 million over the next 18 months from a co-operation agreement with US communications group LightSquared.

The agreement between LightSquared and Inmarsat aims to increase the contiguous broadband spectrum available to both companies and give LightSquared increased flexibility to roll out its fourth-generation (4G) network in the US. This will allow users without their own wireless network or limited geographic coverage to develop and sell their own devices, applications and services.

According to figures released by the Federal Reserve, US factory output grew in July at its fastest rate for nearly a year, suggesting that the recovery from recession might not be stagnating as had been feared after June figures had shown a slight decline.

Industrial production from the country’s factories, mines and utilities increased an overall 1.0 percent, with factory output, the largest single component, rising 1.1 percent.

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, today reported second quarter net earnings of $1.2 billion, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $1.1 billion, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the same period of 2009. Sales for the second quarter totaled $19.4 billion, a 1.8 percent increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

UK-based energy services group Hunting is to buy US electronics company Innova-Extel for $125 million to boost its well construction unit, it has been announced.

London-based Hunting, whose equipment is used in the construction and maintenance of oil and gas wells, is also seeking further purchases in order to transform into a higher margin, higher growth business.

Scientists and engineers at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company's Advanced Technology Center (ATC) have demonstrated an innovative perimeter security system for government and commercial applications.

Due to a complex mix of possible emergencies, including terrorist attacks, accidents, and natural disasters, security protection of borders and critical infrastructures is a major imperative for the US Government.

After reporting profits for two consecutive quarters, General Motors Co. has announced that its CEO Edward E. Whitacre Jr. is to be replaced by Daniel Akerson from 1 September. Mr. Whitacre will remain chairman until December, when he will hand over that title to Mr. Akerson as well.

The announcement was made after GM reported its best results since 2004, with net income of $1.3 billion for the second quarter improving on the $865 million profit made in the first quarter.