General Motors is to invest $129 million in powertrain plants in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan as part of a $2 billion investment program in 17 facilities in eight states over the next 18 months.

For the plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Bedford, Indiana, which make transmissions for Buick and Chevrolet models with eAssist fuel-saving technology, this is a second helping of investment since May, bringing total investment at the plants to $287 million and $81 million respectively.

Greencore, the UK’s largest maker of sandwiches, has agreed a deal to acquire its industry rival Uniq in a deal worth £113 million.

Greencore said that Uniq represents an excellent fit to its UK strategy, which will help the combined group achieve greater scale in the food-to-go and chilled desserts markets, as well as adding add new and complementary customer relationships, in particular with the food retailer Marks & Spencer.

Uniq was put up for sale by its pension fund earlier this year after struggling to manage its pension deficit.

Food giant Nestlé has entered into a partnership agreement with Hsu Fu Chi, a leading manufacturer and distributor of confectionery products in China, it has been announced.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestlé will acquire 60 per cent of Hsu Fu Chi, while the Hsu family will own the remaining 40 per cent.

The total value of the transaction is approximately CHF 1.4 billion (approx. €1.2 billion).

Based on 30 years of experience in India, Tata Projects Limited (TPL) is in growth mode as it takes on some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, at the same time looking at the opportunities thrown up by the energy boom in the Middle East.

Kraft Foods Southern Africa is in the spotlight as the region becomes an increasingly important revenue stream for the world’s second largest food company.

Jeff Daniels looks at yet another example of how South Africa is setting the pace of change.

Bombardier Transportation’s visionary early investment in India has given it a distinct advantage as the country responds to economic growth with improvements in its transport infrastructure.

Vale, the world’s second largest mining company, is about to open a new coal mine in Mozambique. Ben Sansom lifts the veil on corporate social responsibility and discovers the efforts Vale is making to ensure the benefits percolate through to the local community.