Business planning
GKN, a leading UK engineering group, has unveiled a Pounds 150m restructuring programme aimed at reducing costs in its core vehicle components business. The move, which is expected to result in up to 2,000 job losses in western Europe and the US, comes as the company reports a 8%
Business planning
Rebadged as Zinifex, the assets of failed zinc and lead miner Pasminco are returning to the Australian Stock Exchange in an initial public offering valued at up to ADollars 1.35bn. This move comes as the zinc market experiences a resurgent demand for raw materials from China, fueled by an
Business planning
RWE, Germany's second-largest utility, is accelerating its debt reduction strategy by announcing plans to sell its non-core waste management business, RWE Umwelt, next year. The sale is part of the company's efforts to focus on its core electricity, gas, and water activities and reduce its €17.
Business planning
Russia's economic landscape remains shrouded in uncertainty, casting a shadow over Western investment despite the pioneering efforts of companies like BP. A report by Expert Analytical Centre and West Bridge Consulting highlights the divergent views among Western business leaders on Russia's investment climate. The BP-Russia joint
Business planning
As I navigated the website of Printemps, a Parisian department store, I encountered a live web chat with a roller-skating operator, who promptly located a box of Meccano for me. That initial experience sparked a reevaluation of live chat, which I now consider a game-changer in customer service. With its
Business planning
German drugs and chemicals group Merck has sold its laboratory equipment distributor, VWR, to a US buy-out group for $1.65 billion, offloading the unit four years after it was earmarked for sale. The sale leaves Merck debt-free and with a sharper focus on its higher-margin pharmaceuticals and chemicals businesses.
Business planning
Niall FitzGerald, Unilever's chief executive, is preparing to step down at the age of 58, after leading the company through a period of significant growth. Under his tenure, Unilever has delivered a total return exceeding that of the European food and beverage sector by 25 per cent. While
Business planning
Comcast, a US cable operator, has launched a surprise Dollars 62.5bn hostile bid for Walt Disney to create the world's largest media group. The attempt to create a new force in television and film distribution marks the biggest challenge yet to Michael Eisner, Disney's long-serving
Business planning
B&Q, a leading UK DIY retailer, has started selling saunas in response to customer demands for more ways to pamper themselves at home. This move marks a significant expansion into the spa products market, where most sales are currently dominated by niche outlets. The saunas will be priced
Business planning
Henkel, a German consumer products group, announced a positive outlook for 2004, driven by cost cuts and product innovation. The company's stable of well-known brands, including Pritt and Loctite glue, Schwarzkopf hair care products, and others, are expected to benefit from the forecasted growth. Analysts see Henkel as
Business planning
Bertelsmann, the German media giant, has been ordered to pay over €234.3m to two former executives who claim they were promised a stake in an online joint venture with America Online. The ruling, made by a California judge, upholds a jury's verdict from last year that Bertelsmann
Business planning
Europe's independent record companies are sounding the alarm over the proposed merger between Sony Music and BMG, warning of severe consequences for the industry if the deal is approved. Impala, the trade association representing over 2,000 independent labels, has vowed to fight the 50-50 joint venture, which
