USA and Canada

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp, broke ground today on a new emergency operations facility in Lindsey, Ohio, for the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.

The new 12,000 square-foot facility will allow for improved coordination between the plant and state and local emergency management agencies during the unlikely event of an emergency at the plant.

Boeing celebrated a historic occasion on Friday 26 August when the 787 Dreamliner was officially certified fit to fly.

In a ceremony at Boeing’s assembly plant in Everett, Washington state, officials from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) presented certificates to verify that the 787 has been tested and found to be in compliance with all US and European regulations.

Scottish entrepreneur Jim McColl is to sell Clyde Union Pumps, the business he joined as an apprentice, to American Fortune 500 company SPX Corporation.

Glasgow-headquartered Clyde Union Pumps will continue to be run as a standalone business under the leadership of the same management team.

The Timken Company has announced an open-innovation agreement with the University of Akron, Ohio, to accelerate technology development.

The Timken Company will fund and equip a new Timken Engineered Surfaces Laboratory currently under construction on the UA campus, one of five laboratories to be housed in the new engineering research building where the two organizations plan to combine their expertise in materials and surface engineering.

Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation are to collaborate on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for light truck and SUV customers.

The world’s two leading manufacturers of hybrid vehicles have signed a memorandum of understanding on the product development collaboration, with the formal agreement expected by next year.

Software provider Skype is to acquire US-based GroupMe, a provider of mobile group messaging services, it has been announced.

Luxembourg-based Skype said the acquisition will underpin its drive to provide a global multi-modal and multi-platform communications experience, complementing Skype's existing market position in voice and video communications by providing “best in class” text-based communications and innovative features enabling users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans.

Nissan Canada today announced a list of 27 retailers selected to sell, support and service the all-electric Nissan LEAF in Canada.

The selected retailers have passed a rigorous certification process, have modified their sales and service departments and undergone specialized training to provide the unique vehicle service required, in time for the Nissan LEAF launch in the Canadian market.

The board of Cambridge, UK-based Autonomy has unanimously recommended its shareholders accept a £7.1 billion offer from technology giant HP.

Founded in 1996, Autonomy provides infrastructure software to a customer base of more than 25,000 companies, law firms and public sector agencies globally. It has approximately 2,700 employees worldwide.

Over the past five years, Autonomy has grown its revenues at a rate of approximately 55 per cent and its adjusted operating profit at a rate of approximately 83 per cent per annum.

Deere & Company, Illinois based manufacturer of John Deere agricultural and construction equipment, has reported earnings of $712 million for Q3 2011.

After a broad-based improvement reflecting higher results from all divisions, income rose 15 percent for the quarter ending 31 July as a healthy global farm sector continues to support the company’s performance.

For the first nine months of the year, net income was $2.130 billion, compared with $1.408 billion last year.

Blount International has announced an agreement to acquire agriculture and construction equipment manufacturer Woods Equipment Company for approximately $185 million in cash.

"The acquisition of Woods significantly increases the scale of our farm, ranch, and agriculture business," said Josh Collins, Blount's chairman and chief executive officer.