Manufacturing

Ford Motor Company has reported net income of $1.7 billion for the third quarter, a rise of 68 percent on the same period a year ago. Pre-tax operating profit totaled $2.1 billion, a $1.1 billion improvement from third quarter 2009.

Total revenue for the quarter declined by $1.3 billion to $29 billion, compared with the third quarter of 2009, which included revenue from Volvo; excluding Volvo’s 2009 sales, revenue increased by $1.7 billion.

ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steel company, has reported a profits rise of 48 per cent in the three months to the end of September compared with the same period a year earlier.

Net profit for the third quarter was $1.35 billion (approximately €978 million), up from $910 million (approx. €660 million) a year earlier.

Sales also increased, by 30 per cent against the previous year.

Demand for steel demand has once again been rising, though it still remains below pre-crisis levels.

The Chinese-designed Elevated High-Speed Super Bus may be pulling up to bus stops in North America in the not-too-distant-future.

Song Youzhou, designer of the super bus, has formed US Elevated High-Speed Bus (Group) Inc, to plan distribution and manufacturing of the vehicle outside of China, beginning with North America.

Birmingham, UK-based engineering group IMI is to spend €135 million (£120 million) to acquire German industrial valve maker Zimmermann & Jansen.

Zimmermann & Jansen (Z&J), which has manufacturing facilities in Germany, US and South Africa, as well as a sales and purchasing office in China, specialises in the manufacture of heavy-duty valves used in the petrochemical, iron and steel markets.

Z&J also has a strong aftermarket business, with around two thirds of its sales coming from refurbishment, replacement, parts and service.

Caterpillar Inc. has signed an agreement with investment firm 3i to acquire MWM Holding GmbH, a leading global supplier of highly sustainable alternative engines.

The total transaction value amounts to €580 million (approximately $810 million) and will be paid in cash.

Harbour Group announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell Lincoln Holdings Enterprises Inc. to Sweden-based SKF Group.

Lincoln is based in St. Louis, Missouri, where it was founded 100 years ago. A leader in the design, manufacture, and service of lubrication systems and equipment, its products include centralized and automated lubrication systems, lubrication tools and equipment, and material-dispensing equipment for high viscosity materials.

Operating in a wide range of marketplaces, Flexicon Piping is well placed to play a role in infrastructure development as Africa takes its place on the world economic stage. Mike Enslin explains to Gay Sutton how the company has diversified during recession.

The Kraljevica Shipyard is the oldest continuously-running shipyard in the world. Sales manager Dragan Badzek talks to Andrew Pelis about the past, present and future for Croatia’s shipbuilding industry.

Lafarge Cement Zambia Plc is a subsidiary of Lafarge, the world's largest building materials supplier and a major player in the Zambian construction industry. And its product is in no less demand from neighbouring countries, as John O’Hanlon learned from newly-appointed CEO Fola Esan.

Caterpillar Inc announced plans today to expand its manufacturing presence in China with a new facility to produce four models of mini hydraulic excavators.

To meet growing customer demand in China the company will produce models in the under 8-ton range at the new facility in Wujiang. The facility will be part of Caterpillar's Building Construction Products (BCP) Division, which has manufacturing operations in the United States, Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom.