USA and Canada

Already a trusted partner to the world’s major ocean carriers, Maher Terminals has kept its sights set on growth, using the economic slowdown to further improve its operations and prepare for a longer-term phased expansion of capacity as necessary, Keith Regan learns.

Nordic Mine Technology is pushing the boundaries in customised rail haulage systems for the mining sector. Philip Brown talks to Gay Sutton about innovation and growth.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods rose 0.8 percent in November, seasonally adjusted, according to figures released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The following is a selection of the most relevant findings in the report.

The Mansfield City Council has approved an economic development agreement with leading American tool manufacturer Klein Tools for the location of its new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTEC) in the city.

The performance-based agreement could result in the creation of 585 jobs and a $76 million investment by the Chicago, Illinois-based company.

The net economic impact to Mansfield has been estimated at more than $7.6 million over the first 10 years, with a $4.5 billion economic impact over 10 years to the State of Texas.

Eagle Oil Holding Company, Inc announced today that it has concluded a new drilling study to further develop the W H Siler Lease in East Texas.

The program will incorporate the new technologies that use "directional" drilling or "radial" drilling being offered as solutions for older field development in the industry. The program is being geared for use in the less developed East side of the field, with startup in mid 2011.

Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., one of the world's largest solar companies, and SkyPower Limited, one of Canada's largest owners and developers of solar energy projects, today announced they have signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement to commission two solar parks with a nameplate capacity of 18.5 megawatts (MW) in Ontario.

SunPower Corp, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, is set to expand with a major new corporate operations center in Austin, Texas.

The company announced today the receipt of a $2.5 million investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund and a $900,000 grant from the City of Austin. The new center will create 450 jobs in the region over the next four years, beginning with 115 jobs in 2011.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp today announced that Liberty Energy Utilities Co, its regulated utility subsidiary, is to acquire two utilities in New Hampshire from National Grid USA.

The Oakville, Ontario-based utility said Liberty Energy has entered into agreements to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Granite State Electric Company, a regulated electric utility, and EnergyNorth Natural Gas Inc, a regulated natural gas utility, for a total consideration of US$285 million.

Ten companies, agencies and universities have joined an initiative between The Gas Company (TGC), one of Hawaii's major utilities, and General Motors to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015.

The plan, called the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative (H(2)I), aims to integrate hydrogen as an essential building block for Hawaii's sustainable energy ecosystem.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc, manufacturer of pharmaceutical packaging and delivery systems, today announced its intention to consolidate selected operations in order to improve operating efficiencies.

The company expects to close its manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA, and to downsize operations at its facility in St. Austell, Cornwall, UK.