Manufacturing

Aker Solutions has received a letter of intent from Statoil for the engineering, procurement and construction of a subsea workover system for the Vigdis North East development on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Vigdis North East is an oil and gas development situated in water depths of around 280 metres in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Aker’s work will include provision of a complete range of components for open water workover operations.

The US Air Force C-130 aircraft fleet is to be retro-fitted with carbon brakes and boltless wheels to enhance performance, reduce weight and simplify maintenance procedures.

After completing its development, qualification and flight test processes, Goodrich Corporation has now received a production contract from Defense Logistics Agency Aviation to supply over 1,600 carbon brakes and over 1,400 boltless wheels with deliveries scheduled to commence in October 2011.

Pennsylvania furniture maker Knoll, Inc. today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

Swiss food giant Nestlé has opened a new state-of-the-art factory in Nigeria’s Ogun state.

The NGN12 billion (approx. €57 million) Flowergate factory will be primarily dedicated to the production of the company’s Maggi branded range.

The 12 hectare facility—Nestlé’s 27th in Africa—will offer jobs to 180 people and indirect jobs to hundreds more.

In a fascinating insight into the flow of discarded garments from the West into the free ports of western India, and their subsequent return in different guises to Europe and the US, executive director Nohar Nath explains to John O’Hanlon how Kishco Group manages the complex net of supply, processing and demand.

Continuous improvement is not just a manufacturing issue. Moroccan sugar company Cosumar is making improvements across the company, from agricultural practice through to customer service. Ben Sansom reports.

BAT Nigeria continues to work with government to clamp down on illegal trade and benefit local communities. Bassem Bekdache talks to Gay Sutton about spreading the benefits nationwide.

BAT Congo has been operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 72 years. Steve Lusinde talks to Gay Sutton about the company’s efforts to tackle sickle cell anaemia, and how the business is being transformed through its people.

With Ford having released its 2010 results last week, today Chrysler Group issued preliminary results for its fourth quarter and total year 2010.

In Q4 2010, net revenues decreased 2.3 percent to $10,763 million, as compared to Q3 2010, primarily due to reduced shipment volumes as the company launched production of 11 new vehicles. Total year 2010 net revenues were $41,946 million, in line with full year 2010 guidance.

Honoured for Outstanding Export Achievement in the Global Business Excellence Awards and Best SME in the Best Business Awards, Alba Power had a good 2010 and is poised for an even better 2011. Senior sales manager Grahame Martin explained why to John O’Hanlon.