News Archive

Manufacturing news

May 2002

IBM cuts 2,000 jobs

The world's largest computer maker, International Business Machines, has cut about 2,000 jobs from its services division, a union spokesman has said.
31 May 2002 14:14

Microsoft to settle SEC deal

Software giant Microsoft is in talks to settle an investigation by stock market regulators into allegations that it has filed false figures, according to reports.
31 May 2002 8:33

Microsoft Plans .NET Portal Solution for First Half of 2003

The .NET enterprise portal framework will be based on its next versions of SharePoint and Windows.NET server.
29 May 2002 16:30

New money for new business

HM Treasury announced recently that new funds of £40 million are to be invested in small businesses with high growth potential.
28 May 2002 8:42

Vodafone makes £13.5bn loss

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has reported a loss of £13.5 billion after being hit by the telecoms boom and bust.
28 May 2002 8:32

ERP squeeze

The ERP market is undergoing a significant transformation that will put increasing pressure on small- to medium-size (SMB) ERP suppliers, according to analysts at ARC.
27 May 2002 8:54

Mini proves a sales hit in the US

A year's supply of the new Mini has been sold in the US in eight weeks.
27 May 2002 8:55

New SAP platform to mobilise enterprise applications

SAP has launched Mobile Engine, an open, standards-based software platform for mobile business that enables companies to extend enterprise applications to internal and external users in any role, regardless of location or device in both connected and disconnected environments.
27 May 2002 8:54

Economic downturn hits vital innovation

The innovation activities of 84 per cent of companies have been affected by the economic slowdown threatening long-term prospects for competitiveness.
24 May 2002 8:52

'Best boss' gave staff more time off

A manager who tackled the long hours and macho working culture of the City has been named Britain's best boss.
23 May 2002 8:55

US manufacturing looks up

US government figures show a rise in demand for manufactured goods.
23 May 2002 15:20

Blair defends business taxation

“Better public services, including schools and universities, are needed by businesses more than anybody.” Tony Blair
22 May 2002 9:26

Exel secures contract from Lentern Aircraft Group

Exel Computer Systems has gained the contract to supply AF Surface Engineering with their EFACS integrated business solution.
22 May 2002 8:40

Senate blocks Bush’s trade strategy

In the latest development in the ongoing foreign trade debate, the Senate included an amendment in President Bush’s trade plan that would ensure Congress the right to change any trade agreement that showed signs of weakening the nation’s economy.
22 May 2002 8:27

BA reports £200m loss

British Airways has had its worst year since privatisation, recording a loss of £200m before tax and one-off charges for the year to March 2002.
21 May 2002 9:21

Cadbury Schweppes to buy stake in Shanghai chocolate-maker

Cadbury Schweppes is in talks to acquire a stake in Shanghai's leading chocolate maker, according to the Shanghai Daily.
21 May 2002 8:50

IBM and i2 Technologies launch hosted e-procurement

IBM and i2 Technologies are extending their current partnership to sell a network-based, hosted e-procurement solution.
21 May 2002 11:09

Keeping an eye on obsolete parts

Global component obsolescence is an increasingly serious issue for all industries as development of new technologies continues apace.
21 May 2002 8:35

The underlying rate of inflation was unchanged last month at 2.3 per cent.

Inflation remained unchanged at 2.3 per cent in April, alleviating concerns that inflation would soon begin its accent to 3 per cent, half a percentage point above the Government’s guideline.
21 May 2002 9:41

Online automation marketplaces mature

The online marketplaces of automation suppliers have matured, according to a report by ARC.
20 May 2002 8:33

Seven UK companies seek US steel tariffs exemptions

Seven UK firms have filed requests to be exempted from the US steel tariffs. One of the companies is the UK’s leading steelmaker, Corus.
20 May 2002 15:10

Flextronics and Casio establish outsourcing partnership

Flextronics and Casio Computer Co., Ltd. have consented to a $1.5 billion manufacturing agreement in which Flextronics will manufacture a range of Casio’s electronic products through its supply chain resources, and Casio will provide access to its design and production capabilities. The agreement is for three years.
17 May 2002 8:16

IMF attacks US tariffs on steel imports

The International Monetary Fund has criticised US decision to impose tariffs on steel imports, saying its action broke international trade laws.
17 May 2002 9:32

Marconi reveals widened losses

Marconi's full-year losses have widened. Full-year pre-tax losses grew to £5.66 billion from £70 million.
16 May 2002 9:56

Smaller manufacturers see end of recession despite falling orders

Small and medium-sized manufacturers have seen their first rise in business confidence for over a year but orders, output and employment continued to fall over the past four months, according to a CBI survey.
16 May 2002 14:33

Transport chaos costing UK £5 billion a year

Workers are moving jobs to avoid stress of travelling to work
13 May 2002 8:35

Logica to cut 700 jobs

UK software firm Logica has announced plans to cut about 700 jobs because of "difficult" trading conditions.
10 May 2002 8:42

Bank holds interest rates at 4pc

The Bank of England today left interest rates unchanged at 4 per cent for the sixth month amid renewed concern about Britain's fragile manufacturing sector.
09 May 2002 14:37

John Dwyer wins columnist of the year award

The Manufacturer columnist, John Dwyer, has won the prestigious PPA (The Periodical Publishers Association) columnist of the year award.
09 May 2002 9:00

Microsoft announces Navision deal

Microsoft has confirmed its intent to acquire Navision.
09 May 2002 13:10

BMW provides first-quarter profit surprise

BMW has reported first-quarter profits that have exceeded analyst’s predictions.
08 May 2002 9:06

Easyjet buys BA's German arm

Easyjet, the low-cost airline, has agreed a deal to buy the German arm of British Airways.
08 May 2002 9:06

Rolls-Royce to supply Lufthansa's Airbus engines

Rolls-Royce has made a deal with Lufthansa to supply engines to power the second largest fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos on order.
08 May 2002 9:07

Unexpected slump hits UK manufacturing

New figures released today showed an unexpectedly sharp fall in output in March.
08 May 2002 17:13

TUC and CBI seek Blair pledge on export support

The CBI and the TUC have warned against cutting government support for exporters and investors in overseas markets, saying the impact on UK manufacturing would be "disastrous".
07 May 2002 10:45

BMW invests £50m more in Mini plant

BMW is investing another £50 million at its Oxford plant, where it builds the Mini
03 May 2002 14:38

ICI profits dip

ICI has announced a dip in first-quarter profits amid "challenging trading conditions".
02 May 2002 8:49

Imperial Tobacco posts record half-year results

Imperial Tobacco has posted record half-year results. Pre-tax profits for the six months to March 30 were £261 million — 17 per cent higher than the £223 million recorded in the same period a year earlier. Turnover was up 14 per cent to £3.15 billion.
02 May 2002 8:48

Telewest to cut 1,500 staff

Telewest is cutting 1,500 staff in an attempt to cut costs by up to £50 million. Its first quarter net loss was £166 million, down from a loss of £209 million last time.
02 May 2002 8:48

Centred on excellence

Has British manufacturing found a new champion in the Government’s latest cause célebre? Ken Hurst was at the launch of the DTI’s shiny new Manufacturing Advisory Service to find out
01 May 2002 15:18

Customer management skills could be improved on

Companies pay little more than lip service to managing relationships with their customers, according to new research just released by Conquest Business Media, publisher of The Manufacturer.
01 May 2002 15:11

Doors open for corporate portals

Despite the economic slowdown, the demand for corporate portals continues to grow.
01 May 2002 11:20

Last chance to be a champion

With the application deadline of 17 May only a week or so away, small and medium organisations don’t have much time left to enter this year’s UK online for business/ InterForum E-Commerce Awards. The prize money this year total £40,000.
01 May 2002 15:17

Manufacturing news