From an investment perspective, ARC is a unique company that has evolved out of the reprographics industry, largely serving construction companies. It operates in a niche market and plays a dominant role in that space.

Manufacturing is a traditionally important sector for Greater Manchester, and retains a significant presence despite long-term structural change

The British economy urgently needs to grow its economy and create more private sector jobs. In the wake of the most severe recession in a generation – with continued slow growth, high inflation and weak consumer demand – British industry needs to become more competitive globally, to take advantage of growth and trading opportunities in other parts of the world

This document sets out a ten year strategy for the Northwest Automotive Cluster and identifies a series of key activities to deliver that strategy. In developing the strategy consideration has been given to the global issues, trends and drivers in the industry. Extensive consultation has taken place with key stakeholders including automotive companies within the regional cluster. Consideration has also been given to the Northwest Manufacturing Strategy, the Regional Economic Strategy and the initial findings from the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team initiative.

This report summarises the outputs from the supply chain investigative studies undertaken for the NW Automotive Alliance (NAA) by the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge in 2008.

The North West automotive sector has been at the forefront of incremental process innovation. Many of the larger companies in the North West are recognised as best practice examples of Lean Manufacturing and this type of incremental process innovation as a result of interventions arising from the recommendations of the original Automotive Innovation Growth Team (AIGT) has been delivered by the NAA and widely taken up by the automotive suppliers.

Innovative nozzle produces ultrafine droplets and consistent spray patterns even at low pressures for unprecedented operating cost savings. Parker nozzles atomize better and more efficiently at lower pressures than do other nozzles. The technology is fully commercialized.

How social media is transforming your most important disciplines by Salesforce.com

It is now over five years since the disastrous fire at the Buncefield fuel depot in Hertfordshire, where a storage tank was overflowing for more than 40 minutes before it exploded, causing a 32-hour inferno. The overflow had caused a huge vapour cloud to build up, which was ignited by a spark.

As a company that combines tradition and innovation in electrical engineering, our name stands for sustainability. In partnership with our customers we deliver integrated technology and process solutions, which achieve more profitability and competitiveness for the chemical industry.

Software and automation have a major role to play in increasing productivity, yet here in the UK I don’t believe we’ve fully recognised that. Last year, for example, the manufacturing output of Germany and the UK grew at about the same rate, 4 per cent. But whereas Germany’s investment in plant, machinery, automation and technology grew by 9 per cent, ours in the UK dropped by 9 per cent. We’re storing up problems for ourselves if we focus on short-term gains rather than sustainable profitability for the future.

In this year’s Annual Report, we’d like to present three projects that showcase our pioneering role in addressing these challenges. Underscoring our focus on innovation- and technologydriven growth markets, we first take a look at a solar thermal power plant in Lebrija, Spain. With a capacity of 50 megawatts, this trailblazing facility will soon be supplying carbon-free power to some 50,000 households.

For over 160 years, Siemens has stood for technological excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. The company is one of the world’s largest providers of ecofriendly technologies, generating about €28 billion – more than one-third of its total revenue – with green products and solutions. In fiscal 2010, which ended on September 30, 2010, revenue totaled some €76 billion and net income €4.1 billion. At the end of September 2010, Siemens had around 405,000 employees worldwide.

Please note the following change has been discovered in the Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011. On page 29, paragraph 2 of the report, entitled Public Appointments and reappointments the text should be as follows: For 2010/11, this figure decreased to one new appointment in the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and 13 *re-appointments including 8 in the Civil Service Appeal Board, 4 made in the Committee on Standards in Public Life and 1 in the Security Vetting Appeals Panel.

Structural Reform Plans, to be published by all Departments, are the key tool of the Government for making departments accountable for the implementation of the reforms set out in the Coalition Agreement. They set out clear priorities and give the public the opportunity to check departments meet their commitments.

Details of next year's pensions and benefits rates have been announced. The new rates will be paid from April 2012

The net rate of return by private non-financial corporations in the third quarter of 2011 was 12.9 percent. This compares with the revised estimate of 12.8 percent in the previous quarter. The annual net rate of return in 2010 was 11.5 percent. This compares with the estimate of 11.3 percent for 2009.

Longstanding customer Permal, a leading alternative asset management firm, was looking to focus on running its business, rather than running its infrastructure. With an expensive technology refresh imminent, the firm considered its options and found SunGard Availability Services’ enterpriseclass private cloud to be a secure, flexible and cost-effective solution.

The 2012 New Year Honours List recognises outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the United Kingdom.

The 2012 New Year Honours List recognises outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the United Kingdom.