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The latest industry business and manufacturing news brought to you by Works Management magazine. For in-depth features by topic check out the Features Directory. Archived news stories can be found via the news library or the search facility. You can also subscribe to the Works Management RSS News Feed. 
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Aga delivers 2009 profit – but only just
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12/03/2010
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| The cast iron cookers company Aga said today (12 March) that it had achieved its goal of generating revenue and delivering a profit in 2009 although it only just managed the latter.
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BMW increases profits but sheds sales and staff
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11/03/2010
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| Despite continuing fallout from the worldwide financial and economic crisis, German premium car maker BMW reported today (11 March) that it had increased profits although it sold fewer cars and lost approaching 4000 staff during 2009.
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Manufacturing output dips but trend remains positive
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10/03/2010
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| Fresh official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today (10 March) indicated a stutter in the steady recovery of the UK manufacturing sector's fortunes although it was dismissed as a "blip" against the background of a continuing trend of growth.
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Weir pumps up strong performance
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09/03/2010
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| Reporting its annual results today (9 March), pumps specialist The Weir Group said it had put in a strong performance in a difficult global environment during 2009.
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New car CO2 emissions cut by biggest ever margin
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09/03/2010
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| Average new car CO2 emissions fell by their biggest ever margin last year with the impact of recession and the government's scrappage incentive scheme boosting the continued influence of technological advances made by vehicle manufacturers. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997.
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Manufacturing industry demands action
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08/03/2010
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| Representatives from the UK's manufacturing industry made their concerns very clear at The Future of UK Manufacturing Summit, held last week at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London. The summit was organised by Findlay Media, in association with the ERA Foundation and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. |
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Free advice for engineers on ‘going green’
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08/03/2010
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| A new web-based 'eco-street' has been launched by sustainability specialist Envirowise to help engineering companies identify resource efficiency hot spots and cost saving opportunities.
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Car market rises in February, ahead of key ‘new plate’ market
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04/03/2010
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| The new car market in the UK rose for an eighth successive month in February, with the market up 26.4% to 68,686 units, almost one in five (19.6%) accounted for by the government's scrappage scheme. Between 1999-2009 February typically accounted for 3.3% of the annual market, ahead of the March plate change peak. The 2010 February market was above expectations, just 1.3% below 2008's tally, but still 12.2% off the 1999-2009 average. |
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Lotus and Cosworth announce strategic partnership
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04/03/2010
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Two of Britain's most renowned automotive names are to become closely associated through a strategic partnership looking at the opportunity to develop high performance engines for Lotus road and race cars. |
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Wincanton claims eco-friendly trailer unit could reduce carbon emissions by 10%
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03/03/2010
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| The logistics giant Wincanton says that as part of its drive to reduce carbon emissions from its fleet, it has designed a semi-trailer that provides additional space for at least four extra pallets per load. The design would lead to an estimated 10 per cent reduction in road miles where adopted, and hence lower carbon emissions, the company says. |
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Manufacturing sector ‘firmly back on the road’
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02/03/2010
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| The UK manufacturing sector was hailed as being "firmly back on the road" yesterday (1 March) at it continued its solid recovery in February. The headline Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply posted 56.6, unchanged from January's fifteen-year high. The PMI has now remained above its neutral level of 50.0 for five successive months. |
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First high performance British designed motorcycle for disabled to launch in US
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02/03/2010
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| Manufactured in Hyde, Cheshire, the world's first high-performance motorcycle for individuals with disabilities is being launched in the USA. Martin Conquest has signed a deal with American adapted vehicle specialists MobilityWorks to manufacture and distribute its new 1200cc, BMW-powered 'Conquest' motorcycle (pictured) through its 55-dealer network.
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Manufacturers growing in confidence: survey
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01/03/2010
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| Britain's manufacturers are looking to the future with greater confidence about the prospects for recovery as more companies report signs of demand improving, according to a major survey released today (1 March).
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GKN makes re-alignment progress
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26/02/2010
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| The automotive, aerospace and off-highway manufacturing giant GKN said yesterday that it had made significant progress in realigning its operations but had needed to extend its head count reduction and facility closures.
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Lotus hybrid power for oncept car
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23/02/2010
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| Sports car firm Lotus is to unveil its Proton Concept car (pictured) at the Geneva Motor Show, showcasing an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by the company's automotive consultancy division.
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Kerry ups profits on lower sales
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23/02/2010
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| Kerry Group, the global ingredients & flavours and consumer foods group, turned in a near 4% increase in profits despite lower revenues caused by the slowdown in economic growth that adversely affected consumer confidence which led to increased personal saving and reduced expenditure on food and beverages in most markets.
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Sales and profits grow at ABF
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22/02/2010
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| Beet sugar to high street fashion group Associated British Foods (ABF) today (22 February) forecast strong increases in sales and profits for its half year results to the end of February. They will show a strong increase in revenue with growth achieved in all segments, the group announced in a trading statement. |
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XP powers up Chinese production
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22/02/2010
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| XP Power, a leading developer and manufacturer of critical power control components for the electronics industry today (22 February) reported flat 2009 sales but increased production volumes from its new Chinese manufacturing facility over the last three months of the year.
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Credit conditions stabilising: survey
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22/02/2010
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| Following a sustained period of turbulence in financial markets, industry is starting to see credit conditions stabilize, according to a survey released today (22 February).
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More apprentice funding
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19/02/2010
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| While on a visit to the Corus' Teesside Cast Products plant (pictured) yesterday (18 February) the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced funding totalling £3.8 million for apprentices at Corus and businesses in the Tees Valley.
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