Manufacturing

Uptick in 2013 – but not for property

22 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has upgraded its forecast for economic growth in Australia next year but warns the negative effects of the mining boom may hurt the property market.

Car group to expand in Victoria

22 May 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Car group to expand

Japanese automotive technology and components supplier the DENSO Group will expand its Australian operations boosting the number of workers at its tin Croydon.

Manufacturers fear union power

22 May 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Manufacturers fear union power

Major changes are needed in Australia’s manufacturing sector to address concerns about labour productivity, Fair Work Australia vice-president Graeme Watson has warned.

Demand for steel cools

21 May 2012 | Lucy Gao

Steel prices in China have recently fallen to near their lowest level this year due to oversupply.

Orica bets $800m on WA ammonium nitrate plant

21 May 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 24 | Orica bets $800m on Pilbara

Orica and its foreign partners are confident that West Australian iron ore miners will continue to expand aggressively, justifying a decision to invest $US800 million in a new ammonium nitrate plant in the Pilbara.

Apple, Samsung CEOs to hold patent talks

21 May 2012 |

The chief executives of Apple and Samsung Electronics are used to running the show at their global tech empires, but they will be in for a different experience when they arrive at a San Francisco federal courthouse.

Nikkei drops sharply, weighed down by troubled Spanish banks

18 May 2012 |

Japan's Nikkei share average dropped sharply on Friday morning with securities hammered by fears of contagion from Spain's ailing bank system and a strong yen pushed down exporters.

US turns up heat in solar dispute with China

18 May 2012 |

The United States hit Chinese solar companies with punitive import tariffs of 30 per cent or more on Thursday, ruling they had dumped cut-price solar panels into the U.S. market.

China not the only game in town: banker

18 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | China not the only game: banker

Australian companies are diversifying their connections across emerging world markets to provide some buffer from any slowdown in China, a leading banker says.

Coles deal boosts bioplastics maker

18 May 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Coles deal boosts bioplastics maker

Gordon Merchant’s bioplastics packaging company Plantic Technologies is anticipating a fivefold increase in sales and hopes to turn a profit for the first time in nine years after clinching a new supply contract with Coles.

Holden revs up for the US

18 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Holden revs up for the US

The Holden Commodore is set to storm back into the North American market next year badged as a Chevrolet SS and positioned as a niche muscle car.

Nikkei ends up 0.9pc as investors hunt bargains

17 May 2012 |

The Nikkei share average rose 0.9 percent on Thursday as upbeat Japanese economic growth data trumped worry about Europe and investors shopped for bargains after Wednesday's market tumble left the benchmark down 14 percent this quarter.

Japanese firm unveils gesture controls

17 May 2012 |

Japanese technology titan NEC has unveiled a gadget that allows users to control their TV, mobile phone or tablet computer using a virtual input device.

Apple readies iPhone with bigger screen: sources

17 May 2012 |

Apple plans to use a larger screen on the next-generation iPhone and has begun to place orders for the new displays from suppliers in South Korea and Japan, people familiar with the situation said.

Move puts GE in mining sweet spot

17 May 2012 |

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 25 | Move puts giant in mining sweet spot

Global giant GE’s purchase of mining equipment manufacturer Industrea makes good on a promise to diversify its local business away from financial services and industrial imports.

Foster’s soft drinks may taste right to CCA’s Davis

17 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 24 | Foster’s soft drinks may taste right to CCA’s Davis

Coca-Cola Amatil chief executive Terry Davis may have turned up his nose at Foster’s $150 million Australian spirits business but the brewer’s soft drink brands may still tickle his fancy.

Dental innovator David Penn extracts $100m deal

17 May 2012 | Carrie LaFrenz

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Dental innovator extracts $100m deal

Sydney dentist and medical appliance innovator David Penn has sold a majority stake in his Southern Cross Dental Laboratories to private equity player Ironbridge Capital in a deal worth nearly $100 million.

Nikkei ends down 1.1pc on China data

16 May 2012 | Reuters

The Nikkei share average slid 1 per cent on Wednesday, as data showing flat bank lending in China chilled already tepid sentiment for risk assets although the benchmark managed to end a whisker above a key support level.

New eco-engine revs up Falcon hopes

16 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Falcon hopes ride on engine

Ford’s new fuel-efficient four-cylinder version of the Ford Falcon is not a make-or-break factor for the troubled Australian-made large car, says its national boss, but it does offer more choice.

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL)

16 May 2012 | Joanna Heath

Deutsche Bank has increased its 12-month share price target on Coca-Cola Amatil from $13 to $13.75 after the company’s annual general meeting yesterday.

Pushing on a string in deflationary spiral

16 May 2012 | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Pushing on a string in deflationary spiral

All key indicators of China’s money supply are flashing warning signs. The broader measures have slumped to stagnation levels not seen since the late 1990s.

Woolies recruit stocks up on ideas

16 May 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Woolies recruit stocks up on ideas

After a 20-year career with one the world’s largest food companies, former Kellogg’s global chief executive David Mackay is bringing unique insights to the board of grocery retailer Woolworths.

Meat in the tax sandwich

16 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Meat in the tax sandwich

Meat companies are weighing up whether to wear the multi-million-dollar cost of the carbon tax from July 1 or commit even larger investments to cut emissions from their feed lots and meat works.

Pacbrands to let go unwanted lines

15 May 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Pac Brands to let go unwanted lines

Socks and jocks maker Pacific Brands has given up hope of attracting a full takeover offer but may sell unwanted brands to erstwhile suitors. But one of the parties that approached Pacific Brands may be interested in buying one or some of the brands under review as part of the manufacturer’s rationalisation strategy.

Opel seeks to end more than a decade of losses

15 May 2012 |

Opel, the European unit of General Motors, on Monday outlined the latest plan to end more than a decade of losses, saying it would try to increase sales outside Europe.

DuluxGroup (DLX)

15 May 2012 | Brendon Lau

Citigroup has upped its price target on DuluxGroup to $2.91 from $2.84 a share after the company posted a pleasing half-year result.

Fazzino’s shale-and-hearty call

15 May 2012 | Robert Guy

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Fazzino’s shale-and-hearty call

Guy | He may be an old school petrol-head but that’s not going to stop James Fazzino from embracing the new energy future.

$A relief may be short-lived

15 May 2012 | Geoff Winestock

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | $A relief may

Exporters and manufacturers may have taken succour from a drop in the dollar below parity but RBA deputy governor Philip Lowe says it’s not the start of a permanent downwards move.

A hearing set for Gay

15 May 2012 | Carrie LaFrenz

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | A hearing set for Gay

A preliminary hearing has been set for five months time in the highly anticipated case of former Gunns chairman John Gay defending himself against insider trading charges brought by the corporate regulator.

Alesco rolls up with fightback plan against Dulux

14 May 2012 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Alesco rolls up with fightback plan

Alesco chairman Mark Luby is set to argue that an improvement in its garage doors and openers division has lifted the value of the company beyond suitor DuluxGroup’s $188 million takeover offer.

Jobs data gives hope but high costs bite

14 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Jobs data gives hope but high costs bite hard

Editorial | Unemployment figures can be volatile, but the unexpectedly good figure for April shows the economy is restructuring, despite the federal government emphasising handouts over productivity.

Defence savings through imports

12 May 2012 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Subs: in defence of BMW over Ford

Toohey | Billions of dollars could be freed up for defence procurement by importing proven military equipment.

China’s inflation under control

12 May 2012 | Zheng Lifei

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | China inflation under control

Chinese authorities have released statistics that back predictions that the economy is slowing, but the slowdown has been orderly.

Aston Martin adds some sparkle

12 May 2012 | Jacquie Hayes

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Jewel in the crown

Hayes | There’s little evidence of a slowdown in the consumption of luxury goods. The battle in future will involve catching buyers’ attention.

US economy: the recovery that’s quite depressing

12 May 2012 | Ben Potter

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | US economy: the recovery that’s quite depressing

It’s the recovery that doesn’t satisfy, economists at Wells Fargo Securities say. The world’s leading economy is neither stalling, as it did a year ago, nor nearing escape velocity.

Intel chief plays down tech spending fears

11 May 2012 |

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

Intel chief executive Paul Otellini said he is not seeing unexpected weakness in enterprise technology spending that Cisco CEO John Chambers cited when he forecast quarterly earnings below estimates.

Budget cash to link researchers and business

11 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 43 | Budget cash to link researchers and business

A budget experiment to create the “missing link” between business and public sector research has been welcomed as an antidote to a weakness in Australian innovation.

Manufacturers aim to compete

11 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Manufacturers

As the dollar threatened to fall below parity with the US currency on Thursday, leading manufacturers said they were no longer focused on a lower Aussie but setting strategy to compete at today’s levels.

China trade falls on Europe weakness

11 May 2012 | Victoria Ruan

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | China trade drops on weak Europe

China’s exports and imports rose less than estimated in April as weakness in Europe and a domestic slowdown weighed on trade, adding pressure on the government to ease policies to spur expansion.

Kresta Holdings (KRS)

10 May 2012 | Qaiser Malik

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 33 | Kresta Holdings

Windows furnishings manufacturer and retailer Kresta Holdings is making steady progress as it re-structures its business to make it more lean and efficient.

Natixis plans to shut commodities brokerage unit

10 May 2012 |

French bank Natixis is planning to close its commodities trading division, as one of the oldest ringdealing members of the London Metal Exchange becomes the latest victim of the European debt crisis.

Early payouts for sacked CMI, First Fleet workers

10 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 44 | Early payouts for sacked workers

Workers made redundant from Melbourne's car parts manufacturer CMI are set to be fast-tracked millions of dollars in unpaid entitlements, after an emergency meeting between union officials and Employment Minister Bill Shorten.

US still fragile but hope flickers

10 May 2012 | Ben Potter

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | US still fragile but hope flickers

Potter | Small business in the US is feeling a bit more confident, raising hopes it will begin to hire and help revive a flagging jobs market.

Billabong still a strong brand overseas

10 May 2012 | Carrie LaFrenz

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 37 | Brand still strong overseas

The former head of United States-based Pacific Sunwear, Seth Johnson, says he was shocked when he heard about Billabong’s financial troubles last year, given the strength of several of its brands.

Toyota aims to double earnings

10 May 2012 | Anna Mukai

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 35 | Toyota aims to double earnings

Asia’s biggest car maker, Toyota Motor Corp, forecast profit will more than double to a five-year high as it shakes off last year’s natural disasters and introduces new models to regain market share.

It pays to dig deeper in ‘two-speed’ times

10 May 2012 | David Bassanese

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | It pays to dig deeper in these ‘two-speed’ times

The debate on Australia’s two-speed economy has long been characterised as a battle between the booming mining sector and struggling non-mining sectors such as manufacturing and tourism.

Tax inflates Ford Australia loss

10 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Tax inflates

Ford Australia claims to have improved its finances and operations after reporting an after-tax loss of $290 million in 2011, but has refused to speculate on when it will return to profit.

Will Australia win or lose from Asia’s growth?

09 May 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

The next decade should determine whether Australia becomes the biggest winner or loser from the current explosive growth of Asia, a conference has heard.

Carlsberg calls last orders on Foster’s

09 May 2012 | Julie-anne Sprague

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Carlsberg calls last orders on Foster’s

Foster’s has lost the rights to its last imported premium beer after Coopers Brewery confirmed it had snared a distribution deal with Carlsberg.

Struggling sectors dodge scalpel but benefits are few

09 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

The significance of the budget for industry support lies more in what was not done than what will actually be spent on the sector.

CMI haste urged on workers’ pay

09 May 2012 | Lucille Keen

Workers from car components maker CMI Industrial have urged the company’s administrators to place it into liquidation as soon as possible.

China daily steel output hits record in April

08 May 2012 |

China's daily crude steel output hit a record high of 2.026 million tonnes in April, industry data showed on Tuesday, as the country's steelmakers sustained high production despite a slow recovery in demand.

OneSteel cautions govt on budget

08 May 2012 | Michael Hobbs

Updated | OneSteel CEO Geoff Plummer says he hopes the federal government has heeded RBA warnings about the state of the economy in framing Tuesday night’s budget.

Micron wins exclusive right to bid for Elpida

PRINT: Capital | 08 May 2012

Micron Technology won the right to negotiate exclusively to buy Elpida Memory Inc after offering more than ¥200 billion yen ($2.45 billion) for the failed Japanese chipmaker, a source said, paving the way for the US company to more than double its global market share.

How Thales keeps its phone bill down

07 May 2012 | Sally Rose

Thales‘s Robert Plant says he has reduced telecommunications costs with a three-pronged strategy involving an injection of technology, changing behaviour and renegotiating contracts

Germans’ top investment destination

07 May 2012 | Lucy Gao

China has become German companies’ top foreign investment destination for the first time, securing $US1.36 billion in investment by the end of last year.

GM Holden profit equals handouts

07 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | GM Holden

GM Holden has reported a solid profit which exactly equates to the level of subsidy from the federal government.

No implosion after Orica leaks

07 May 2012 | Michael Smith

New Orica boss, Ian Smith, has delivered a solid maiden half-year earnings result despite any good news being overshadowed by the earnings hit from the closure of its Kooragang Island ammonia plant in NSW.

Goodman units well on sale path

07 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 16 | Goodman units well on sale path

The sales process for Goodman Fielder’s edible oils & fats and New Zealand milling units is ticking along, with process letters and site visit schedules landing in the mailboxes of potential buyers on Friday.

Alesco cautions shareholders against Dulux’s hue and cry

07 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 16 | Alesco cautions shareholders against Dulux’s hue and cry

Alesco Corp will release a letter to shareholders through the Australian Stock Exchange on Monday, urging them to take no action regarding DuluxGroup’s $2 per share takeover offer.

Mortality tops Berkshire meeting agenda

04 May 2012 |

Warren Buffett doesn’t talk much about his personal life, but his prostate cancer will likely dominate the conversation at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ meeting.

Immelt sees long period of slow growth in Europe

04 May 2012 |

General Electric expects Europe to experience an extended period of slow economic growth, but sees Algeria, South Africa, Turkey, Venezuela, Indonesia and Peru as key to bolstering its sales.

Farewell old factories, hail tailor-made manufacturing

04 May 2012 | The Economist

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Farewell, traditional factories, hello tailor-made manufacturing

Smart manufacturing can save industries in developed countries, and small runs of customised products for niche markets can now make economic sense.

Deeper, longer euro zone recession likely

04 May 2012 | Matthew Drummond

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Deeper, longer euro zone recession likely

European leaders are running out of levers for stimulating economic growth, and they under pressure to soften the pain from spending cuts.

Jaguar goes into top gear

04 May 2012 | Graham Ruddick

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Jaguar goes into top gear

Jaguar Land Rover is planning to expand its plant at Castle Bromwich in the English Midlands to build new Jaguar models and spark an overhaul of the brand.

Defence shuffle needs to end

04 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 50 | Defence shuffle needs to end

Editorial | A lot has changed in Australia’s strategic outlook since the 2009 defence white paper, but bringing forward a new one does not make much sense unless you have the credibility to implement it.

Wealthy banks to invest in shares

03 May 2012 | Lucy Gao

China may allow banks to invest the trillions they have raised in stocks.

After ‘perfect storm’, Goodman reaffirms guidance

03 May 2012 | Sue Mitchell

Goodman Fielder has reaffirmed its guidance for a 15 to 20 per cent decline in earnings this fiscal year despite increased pricing and private label pressure from food retailers and subdued consumer spending.

Mazda overtakes GM Holden

03 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 37 | Mazda overtakes GM Holden sales

Importer Mazda outsold GM Holden for the first time in April but trails on a year-to-date basis as sales of locally manufactured cars strengthen.

Spain’s deep cuts fire up may Day protests

03 May 2012 | Howard Schneider

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Spain’s deep cuts fire up May Day

Spain’s ability to cure its economic ills and avoid calling for international aid is central to calming Europe’s overall financial and economic problems.

World briefs

03 May 2012 |

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 49 | world briefs

Western Europe may be in the doldrums, but Russian manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in more than a year in April as output and employment rose.

Euro zone woes hit Swiss factories in April

02 May 2012 |

Switzerland's manufacturing sector contracted sharply in April as an economic slowdown in the neighbouring euro zone crimped export demand, dousing hopes the economy was shaking off the worst impact of a strong Swiss franc.

Euro zone manufacturing downturn deepens

02 May 2012 |

The euro zone's manufacturing sector slipped further into decline last month as a downturn that started in the periphery appears to be taking root among core members France and Germany, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Facebook calls on members to flag organ donor status

02 May 2012 |

Tired of the long wait for a new kidney, Michael Shelling, a 50-year-old video game marketing consultant based in San Diego, decided to take a more active role in the search.

American manufacturing surge eases concerns

02 May 2012 |

US manufacturing rose in April at the strongest rate in 10 months, easing concerns the US economy had lost momentum at the start of the second quarter.

Benefit of beer: it brews honesty

02 May 2012 | Alan Stokes

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Beer goggles make lies easier to swallow

Stokes | Too much beer is barely enough, especially if it means our leaders come clean about their stuff-ups.

Asian companies paying the price of success

02 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Asian companies paying the price of success

The downside of the trend towards setting minimum wages in Asia is obvious: it creates expectations of even more.

Dulux, Alesco to lock horns

02 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 16 | Dulux, Alesco to lock horns

Long-time shareholders of DuluxGroup will remember when it was still owned by Orica and wanted to make an acquisition or two to drive growth.

Not enough for industry, say lobbyists

02 May 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Not enough for industry, say lobbyists

Victoria’s struggling manufacturers got little cheer from the state budget, says the director of a peak body.

Car parts maker cuts 44 manufacturing jobs

01 May 2012 |

Embattled car parts maker CMI Industrial has slashed 44 jobs at two plants, in Footscray and Ballarat, as receivers restructure the business and look to sell it.

UK manufacturing loses steam in April

01 May 2012 |

British manufacturing eked out growth in April as an economic slowdown in the euro zone curbed demand for goods made in Britain, a survey showed on Tuesday, raising the risk of a longer recession.

China syndrome fears ease

01 May 2012 | Robert Guy

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 24 | China syndrome fears ease

Fears of a hard landing for China’s economy have been allayed by an acceleration in manufacturing activity in April.

A spotless paint job

01 May 2012 | michael smith

DuluxGroup chief executive Patrick Houlihan must have been keeping a close eye recently on PEP’s takeover bid for Spotless Group.

April PMI shows steep decline

01 May 2012 |

A private survey shows Australian manufacturing activity contracted noticeably in April after a small dip in March.

Used Airbus for sale: contact Boeing

01 May 2012 |

Boeing may soon be looking for buyers for long-range passenger jets built by arch-rival Airbus under a rare trade-in deal that underscores all-out competition.

Hancock finds perfect Match for panel

01 May 2012 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 01 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Hancock finds perfect Match for panel

In his first major business play since leaving Hancock Prospecting, John Hancock has enlisted Perth’s Match Group to help develop an innovative building material.

Smith warns of threat to food processing

01 May 2012 | Jason Murphy

PRINT: 01 May 2012 | PAGE 8 | Smith fears for food

Price wars between grocers may appeal to consumers, but manufacturing and retail entrepreneur Dick Smith argues they are damaging growers and processors.

Real ‘crisis’ of productivity

28 April 2012 | Alan Mitchell

PRINT: 28 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | Real ‘crisis’ of productivity

A leading productivity expert thinks a good deal of the anxiety about Australia’s productivity growth slump is based on a misconception.

World briefs

28 April 2012 |

PRINT: 28 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | world briefs

Osama bin Laden’s three widows and his estimated 11 children have been deported from Pakistan, leaving their villa in Islamabad amid tight security.

China’s Q1 industrial profits down 1.3pc

27 April 2012 |

The combined profits of industrial companies across China fell 1.3 per cent in the first three months of 2012 from a year earlier to 1.04 trillion yuan ($158.74 billion), the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday.

CMI deal clears way for Ford restart

27 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | CMI deal clears way for Ford restart

Updated | Eighty workers locked out of a car parts factory can return to work after the landlord reached an eleventh-hour deal with the company’s receivers.

Cosy Asian steel tie-up frays

27 April 2012 | Makoto Danso

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 25 | Cosy Asian steel tie-up frays

Nippon Steel and Posco have long played up their close ties but a lawsuit is quickly taking the “friendly” out of their self-proclaimed “friendly rivalry”.

What to drink

27 April 2012 |

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 5 | WHAT TO DRINK

Some drops to savour.

Ford workers stood down for three days

26 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Ford workers stood down for three days

Updated | Ford Australia will stand down about 1800 production workers in Victoria for three days after a key component supplier, CMI Industrial Pty Ltd, went into receivership.

Low inflation hides problems

26 April 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Low inflation hides problems

Editorial | The low March-quarter consumer price index released on Tuesday will likely pave the way for the RBA to cut its overnight cash rate target by 0.25 of a percentage point when it meets next week.

Engine shortcomings

26 April 2012 | M Schilling

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 67 | Diesel power missing

It is unfortunate but, yet again, a major Australian car manufacturer has missed the mark and an opportunity.

Ice-cream could pay for Nestlé baby formula deal

26 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Ice-cream could pay for baby food deal

Reports that Nestle is preparing to sell its iconic Peters ice-cream business through JPMorgan are making more sense in light of the Swiss food giant’s $US11.9 billion acquisition of Pfizer’s infant nutrition unit.

Braiform goodwill sets up plenty of room for dispute

26 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Braiform goodwill sets up plenty of room for dispute

Braiform has emerged as the key difference between the Spotless board and its suitor, Pacific Equity Partners.

World briefs

26 April 2012 |

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | world briefs

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating whether some of Hollywood’s biggest studios have made illegal payments to Chinese officials for the right to film and show movies there.

BMW pumps up 3-Series for China

26 April 2012 | Chris Reiter

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | BMW pumps up 3-Series for China

BMW is making a bigger version of its popular 3-Series sedan in a bid to tap into Chinese car buyers’ taste for larger cars and lure them away from the likes of General Motors Co.

Ford watches parts supply

26 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Ford watches parts supply

Ford Australia will decide today whether it will have to temporarily stand down production workers because of the financial pressures on a strategic component supplier.

Tech billionaires bankroll rush to mine asteroids

24 April 2012 |

Google executives Larry Page and Eric Schmidt and filmmaker James Cameron are among those bankrolling a venture to survey and eventually extract precious metals and rare minerals from asteroids that orbit near Earth, the company said on Tuesday.

SABMiller CEO becomes its chairman

24 April 2012 | Sue Mitchell

SABMiller chief executive Graham Mackay, who engineered last year’s $11.2 billion takeover of Foster’s Group, has been named the global brewer’s new chairman.

Sacked Toyota workers start legal action

24 April 2012 | Lucille Keen

Updated | Some of the 350 Toyota workers made redundant last week have begun legal proceedings against the car company in a bid to regain their jobs.

Company briefs

24 April 2012 |

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 18 |

BHP Billiton has agreed to buy five exploration tenements near its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia from Minotaur Resources for $10 million cash following a competitive bidding process. As part of the agreement, Toro Energy has agreed to cancel its rights to uranium minerals in three of the tenements in return for a $500,000 payment from Minotaur.

World briefs

24 April 2012 |

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | world briefs

Pfizer is close to an agreement to sell its infant-nutrition business to Nestle for about $US11 billion.

US military seeking outside satellite assistance

24 April 2012 | Brendan McGarry

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | US military seeks private satellite assistance

The US military may spend $US1 billion during the next decade to piggyback its communications equipment onto commercial satellites.

Federal funding for skills is now dire

23 April 2012 | Martin Riordan

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 51 | Federal funding for skills now dire

The rush of state premiers at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to sign up to the $1.75 billion on the Prime Minister’s table may be less than we were told about promised “skills reform”.

Fletcher pins hopes on pipes

23 April 2012 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Fletcher pins hopes on pipes

Fletcher Building chief executive Jonathan Ling is confident the pipes business, in the newly acquired subsidiary Crane, will offset lost earnings from the struggling trade distribution brand Tradelink.

Gearing rise may push Boral to raising

23 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Rise in gearing may push Boral closer to equity raising

Now that Boral’s anticipated earnings downgrade is out of the way, attention has turned to whether the situation is bleak enough to prompt an equity raising.

Toyota ‘targeted union officials’

23 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 5 | Toyota ‘targeted union officials’

Car industry unions will announce legal action on Tuesday alleging that union officials were targeted during last week’s controversial culling of 350 jobs at Toyota Australia.

Gerry Ryan on the move

21 April 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 45 | Gerry Ryan on the move

It’s obvious why Gerry Ryan chooses the Middle Park Hotel in the Melbourne bayside suburb of the same name: he owns the place.

Ford’s big China just got bigger

21 April 2012 | Keith Bradsher

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | Ford’s big China just got bigger

Ford has chosen China for its largest factory expansion program in half a century, saying its latest plans call for building a $US760 million assembly plant in Hangzhou.

Snapshot: HSI down 0.2pc by midday

20 April 2012 |

Hong Kong shares slipped slightly on Friday on weaker U.S. economic data while China markets were firmer, but both benchmark indices were headed for weekly gains on hopes of further policy easing in China.

Development causes a sinking feeling

20 April 2012 | Lucy Gao

A survey has revealed that a diminishing water table, combined with a growing number of skyscrapers, is causing large areas of China to sink.

Costs, delays hit Bradken earnings forecast

20 April 2012 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Contract problems force Bradken downgrade

Bradken has downgraded its 2011-12 full-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation guidance to between $210 million and $220 million.

Misplaced faith in lower rates

20 April 2012 | THE Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 50 | Misplaced faith

Editorial | The federal government’s top minister should be careful not to be seen to be pressuring the RBA into putting its short-term political interests ahead of the longer-run goal of economic stability.

HSI ends at 3-week high

19 April 2012 |

Hong Kong shares closed at a three-week high on Thursday as a rally in China Life Insurance and other insurers on the back of low valuations and speculation over an expansion of investment rules, helping the benchmark stock index outperform Asian peers.

Fedex in talks to buy France's TATEX

19 April 2012 |

FedEx is in talks to buy French express company TATEX, less than two weeks after announcing plans to buy Polish shipping company Opek Sp. Zoo.

Notebook: more excavators to Brazil, turbines to India

19 April 2012 | Gavekal

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 62 | NOTEBOOKMore excavators to Brazil, turbines to India

The image of China’s exporters as a phalanx of sweatshops churning out T-shirts and toys for American and European shoppers is outdated.

A2 looks at ways to milk interest

19 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 24 | A2 looks at ways to milk interest

What are the odds? Only days after Macquarie Equities initiated coverage on New Zealand-listed A2 Corp, the dairy company has appointed independent adviser Greenhill Caliburn to conduct a strategic review after receiving approaches from industry players.

Move focus closer to home

19 April 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 20 | Australia needs to move focus closer to home

Choosing between history and geography has been a line in the sand that politicians have been reluctant to approach.

Car union works up legal challenge

19 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Legal fight for Toyota

Nazan Arief, who worked for the car maker for 21 years, said it was disgusting and inhumane the way the staff were “tapped on the shoulder” and ushered into a people-mover before being taken to a function centre.

Snapshot: Hong Kong shares rebound

18 April 2012 |

Hong Kong shares bounced back after two days of losses on Wednesday as stronger overseas markets and a turnaround in the mainland markets on easing concerns over China's economic growth spurred some short-covering.

The assembly line

18 April 2012 |

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | The assembly line

Outrage continues unabated in the Prime Minister’s home suburb of Altona, Melbourne, after Toyota management laid off 350 staff.

A bit too much puff for some

18 April 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | A bit too much puff for some

There is a saying about lawyers who have themselves as clients: they are fools. It is one Attorney-General Nicola Roxon will do well to heed in the tobacco battle.

Toyota values crash into local rights

18 April 2012 | Paul Gollan

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 55 | Toyota values crash into local culture

Retrenching staff based on a “report card” may be self-defeating.

Toyota right to stand tough

18 April 2012 |

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 54 | IR culture takes a new direction

Editorial | Toyota Australia’s decision to make redundant workers who it believes have not performed or who do not share the company’s values is a direct challenge to the worst aspects of Australia’s industrial relations culture.

Swan slams Toyota over job cuts

18 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | Swan slams Toyota over workforce cuts

The Gillard government has criticised Toyota Australia’s forced redundancies as evidence emerged that the main car union had agreed on the controversial selection criteria in February.

Australian way had run its course

18 April 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 6 | End of the road for Australian model

Toyota Australia’s selection of hundreds of manufacturing staff for compulsory redundancy is part of a war on Australia’s workplace culture, leading academics say.

HR experts ‘stunned’ at Toyota approach

18 April 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 6 | An unusual way to let go

The processes behind mass redundancies usually take place in secret – and for good reason.

‘Utmost respect’ shown to sacked workers: Toyota

17 April 2012 |

Updated | Car maker Toyota is satisfied with the way it handled the axing of 350 jobs at its Altona plant in Melbourne, saying it wouldn’t have done anything differently in hindsight.

Wild and woolly style

17 April 2012 |

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 60 | Wild and woolly style

Australian woolgrowers have been throwing around some serious cash raising the profile of the industry and leveraging the superstar fashion names that live off the sheep’s back.

Toyota aims to slow VW’s global drive

17 April 2012 | Ola Kinnander

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 26 | Toyota aims to slow VW’s global drive

Toyota Motor Corp, which was overtaken by Volkswagen in global sales last year, is striking back on the German car maker’s home turf.

Robots replace workers in China

17 April 2012 | Richard Weiss

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Robots replace workers in China

Kuka, Europe’s largest maker of industrial robots, is creating a regional hub in China to tap surging sales in the world’s most populous country, where rising wages are lifting demand for automated factory equipment.

Market boils over with enthusiasm for Breville

17 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 20 | Market boils over with enthusiasm for Breville

Appliance maker Breville has been one of the star performers this calendar year, up 53.9 per cent per cent compared with a 6.1 per cent gain in the major S&P ASX 200 index.

Japan on lookout for a new model

17 April 2012 | Martin Fackler

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 15 | Japan on lookout for a new model

Many Japanese are concerned about the plant closures affecting to their heavily industrialised economy, especially since last year’s nuclear accident in Fukushima.

Toyota culls ‘failed’ car workers

17 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Toyota culls ‘failed’ car workers

Updated | Toyota faces mass legal action after selecting 350 workers for redundancy using individual ratings on a scale of five, including how often they turned up to work and how well they did their jobs.

China to get Australia’s Holden know-how

17 April 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | China to get Holden know-how

GM Holden has struck a major engineering and design export deal to China after the Gillard government last month earmarked $275 million in taxpayer funding to guarantee future manufacture of cars in Adelaide.

Toyota workers face the sack Monday

16 April 2012 |

Extra security guards will be on hand when Toyota gives the marching orders to 350 of its staff at its Altona plant on Monday.

Fletcher Building seeks Indian plant in juggling act

16 April 2012 | Michael Hobbs

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | Fletcher seeks Indian plant in juggling act

Fletcher Building is looking to purchase a laminates and panels factory in India to keep up with demand as the division’s management continues to juggle expansion plans in Asia and restructuring efforts in Europe.

Boat industry seeks buoyancy

16 April 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Boat industry seeks buoyancy

Boating manufacturers have compared themselves with the car industry and say they are feeling the pressure of the high Australian dollar, but have seen no assistance from the state or federal governments.

No fix for dumping loophole

16 April 2012 | Carrie LaFrenz

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 8 | Dumping loophole to stay

There are no plans to fix a trade loophole uncovered by a pulp and paper industry consultant that allows dumping of imported manufactures from questionable sources.

Spanner in works

14 April 2012 |

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 56 | Spanner in works

To say the demise of Melbourne car parts maker APV Automotive Components is complicated is certainly an understatement.

Heather Ridout, policy maven

14 April 2012 | Narelle Hooper

PRINT: PAGE 47 | Ridout works the room

Breaking bread and hard yakka go hand in hand to gain access and win results, says the outgoing Ai Group chief executive.

Too many on the government teat

14 April 2012 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 45 | Too many attached to government teat

Toohey | It seems almost every retiree claims to be self-funded, despite getting the pension and super tax concessions. And they’re far from alone.

Qld contests Coke’s campaign to quaff Cooroy

14 April 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 20 | Qld contests Coke’s campaign to quaff Cooroy

Coca-Cola Amatil is pressing ahead with an offer for the assets of Queensland water and soft drink bottler Cooroy Mountain Group, despite a backlash from locals and state politicians worried about job losses.

Power price rise to hit manufacturers

14 April 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | Power price rise to hit manufacturers

Small-scale manufacturers already suffering from the high Australian dollar will be hardest hit by a jump in electricity prices, the NSW Business Chamber says.

Crisis talks provide hope for car parts maker

14 April 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Talks give hope for car parts maker

The nation’s big car makers will continue talks this weekend to ensure the failure of a Melbourne automotive parts maker does not disrupt their operations.

Toyota to wield axe on Monday

14 April 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Toyota to wield axe on Monday

Toyota Australia will start laying off workers on Monday after striking a deal with the relevant unions over the terms of the redundancy program.