Canada: Stella Jones International is to buy up the remaining 30% of sleeper manufacturer Stella-Jones Inc that is currently in public ownership. Shareholders will be offered C$3·10 in cash for each share.
Czech Republic: The government was expected to approve last month a restructuring plan for engineering group Skoda, which would see Skoda Holding take control of viable businesses, with others spun off or sold and assets and property remaining with Skoda AS. Orders received by rolling stock subsidiary Skoda Dopravní Technika amounted to KC853m in the six months to June 30 2000, with a total of KC1·8bn forecast for this year against KC1·2bn in 1999.
Germany: Siemens Verkehrstechnik was expecting to report a profit of 59m euros on a turnover of 2·9bn euros, up 50%, for the nine months to September 30 2000. Orders were up 60% at 2·4bn euros. The company is keen to develop its presence in the rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance markets.
Great Britain: The Rail Team at Business Link Southern Derbyshire, which provides support services for local companies, has developed a database to match the capabilities of Derby-based suppliers to market opportunities around the world. The team has handled potential order requests from companies in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Pakistan and Greece.
Mexico: GE Transportation Systems has opened a facility in Monterrey for repairing and upgrading GM-EMD traction motors and components. The facility offers armature rewinding and field coil improvements for the D77 and D87 models.
Switzerland: Stadler Fahrzeuge AG is building a SFr15m extension to its assembly plant in Bussnang for completion in September 2001.
USA: Kawasaki Heavy Industries is to begin construction in March 2001 of a 40000m2 passenger vehicle assembly facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, expected to cost US$50m and eventually employ up to 320 people after completion in April 2002. Taking over bodyshell fabrication and fitting out currently undertaken in Kobe, Japan, the plant will initially produce 200 cars a year for completion and testing at Yonkers, New York.
General Electric announced on September 1 that it had completed the acquisition of Harmon Industries Inc (RG 8.00 p466). Now a wholly-owned GE subsidiary, Harmon will be combined with GE Harris Railway Electronics to operate as GE Harris Harmon Railway Technology.
Edwards & Kelcey Inc has purchased CID Associates Inc, an engineering and architectural consultancy specialising in building facilities. CID employs 85 people at offices in Boston and Amherst, Massachusetts.
