Manufacturing

JLR has been in talks with authorities in Rio de Janeiro for many months, but is now able to state that it will invest some 750 million reais into the factory, which it expects to begin production in 2016. The move is a further boost to the company’s efforts to strengthen in emerging economies such as China, where it is also building a plant at Changshu as part of a joint venture with the Chery Automobile Company.

The 50-50 venture, which will take the name Dongfeng Renault Automotive Co Ltd, plans to build some 150,000 vehicles and engines a year, has been valued at $1.27 billion.

China is the largest car market in the world, where official figures have shown vehicle sales rose by 4.3 percent in 2012 to 19.3 million, however until now Renault has remained one of the few large car makers to lack a facility in the country.

Under Chinese trade laws, foreign carmakers looking to launch manufacturing operations in China must have a local partner.

The Japanese carmaker set its target on the same day it unveiled a concept fuel cell-powered car, dubbed the FCV, at the Tokyo Motor Show. It also comes in the same week that Hyundai stated that it plans to start mass production of such vehicles early next year.

Many carmakers have been looking to develop the fuel cell technology further and bring it to mass production. The technology itself uses hydrogen to generate electricity to power the engine and the waste products are heat and harmless water.

Historically known for its large hydrocarbon wealth, which gives it one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, the UAE’s decision in recent years to diversify its economic plans marked an important shift in the growth of the GCC country. It has subsequently proven to be a hugely successful move, with the country’s non-oil and gas GDP outstripping that attributed to the energy sector, accounting for 64 percent of its total GDP.

A member of the Bravo Group, South Africa’s largest and most diverse furniture manufacturer, Alpine Lounge has left behind the world of high volume mass-produced furniture. It is a premium marque and its Ashanti brand can only be described as aspirational. Founded in 1969 it has built its reputation on state-of-the-art technology, quality products, on-time delivery and caring and efficient after-sales service.

“While the theme of the conference remains mostly the same, the finale of a year’s worth of hard work, what we do hope to do is mature the event and the presentations that take place each year,” states Lean Program Director, Glenn Uminger. The conference he is referring to is the University of Kentucky’s Lean Systems Program, 2013 Users Conference, held on 10-11 September, 2013.

As part of what is the biggest investment in Malaysia by a British company in the past year years, Weir Group will build a new foundry, machine shop and rubber processing plant south of Kuala Lumpur.

The foundry and machine shop will expand Weir's production of high-quality castings, while the rubber line will increase the group's ability to meet growing demand for Linatex, a 95 percent natural rubber product used in the mining industry. These operations will see the company’s workforce in the country more than double to 1,000.

The order for 31 of the aircraft, valued at nearly $9.5 billion at list price, marks the aircraft manufacturer’s first deal with the Japanese carrier. According to the deal, JAL also has an option to purchase an additional 25 planes.

"This is Airbus' largest order for the A350 so far this year and is the largest ever order we have received from a Japanese airline," said Fabrice Bregier, chief executive of Airbus. "I must say that achieving this breakthrough order and entering a traditional competitor market was one of my personal goals."

Founded in 1876 and today headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, Henkel is a recognised holder of globally leading market positions in the consumer and industrial businesses. Boasting a host of reputable brands including Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite, Henkel has some 47,000 employees operating throughout the world across the group’s three business sectors; laundry and home care, beauty care and adhesive technologies.