USA and Canada

US convenience retailer 7-Eleven has agreed to acquire the retail interests of 28 locations from Pacific Convenience & Fuels LLC (PC&F).

Located in the western half of the US, the acquisition includes sites in California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, and brings the retailer’s acquisitions this year up to over 400 sites.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Marriott International has identified enormous growth potential in the Middle East and Africa. Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging in the region, talks to Jayne Flannery about the rationale and strategy that underpins the expansion.

Alcoa intends to expand its Davenport, Iowa rolled products plant to meet rising demand from the automotive market.

Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are switching from steel to aluminum in their drive to increase the fuel efficiency, safety, durability and performance of their vehicles.

With the expansion of the Panama Canal due for completion in 2015, the Port Authority of Jamaica is planning an ambitious program of improvements to ensure the Kingston Container Terminal remains the premier container port of the Caribbean.

Honeywell Electronic Materials announced today it will more than double its refining and casting capacity for high-purity copper and tin at its Spokane, Washington facility in response to rising demand in the semiconductor industry.

Demand for the copper material has been steadily growing as new advanced chip designs continue to require high-purity copper. Additional industry growth has come as memory manufacturers transition from aluminum to copper. The use of copper and tin for advanced chip packaging applications is similarly on the rise.

Canadian Solar Inc has opened a new warehouse facility in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey to provide additional photovoltaic module storage capacity for the growing business.

The first shipment of modules is expected to arrive in mid-September 2011. The warehouse itself utilizes solar energy from its PV rooftop mounted system.

UK transport group National Express has announced its acquisition of one the largest student transport service providers in the US.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Petermann Partners Inc is the fifth largest provider of student transport services in the US, with operations across 10 states in the Midwest, West and Southwest.

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc, has announced a 9 percent increase in mineral reserves from 286.2 million to 312.2 million pounds of contained molybdenum at its Endako molybdenum mine located near Fraser Lake, British Columbia, extending its mine life by 20 months through 2028.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel has been a North Carolina landmark since it opened in 1997. Following a major upgrade to full resort status it is now officially the largest entertainment complex in the state.

The new North Terminal Development (NTD) at Miami International Airport represents the biggest ever single investment in US aviation history. Program director Juan Carlos Arteaga talks to Jayne Alverca as the project nears completion.