Updated 4:49am 2 September 2012

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Other UK business news

Melrose nears completion on £1.5bn Elster takeover

Manufacturing investor Melrose has all but completed a £1.5 billion takeover of a German engineering giant after completing the tender process.Read

WMMC group chief to depart for the private sector

One of the region’s leading industrialists has announced his intention to step down from his post, concluding a three-year reign at the helm of a key manufacturing support group.Read

Recruitment drive as BST sees revenue exceed £10m

Wolverhampton specialist fastenings manufacturer BST Supplies has a new management team in place after seeing turnover more than double in three years.Read

Victoria Carpets

Family of Victoria Carpets founders in bitter row over future of company

A bitter row at the heart of one of the Midlands’ oldest carpet makers has escalated over claims an incentive scheme would make a group of shareholders £12 million – but only if the business is broken up.Read

Brintons Carpets

Jobs at Brintons Carpets in balance as owners consider Portugal switch

The creation of 80 new jobs at a Midland carpet maker hangs in the balance after the firm’s US owner claimed it might invest in Portugal instead.Read

Small manufacturers still seeing revenues increase

Manufacturing SMEs in the West Midlands are still reporting increased sales and predicting future growth despite recent reports of an industry downturn.Read

Midland manufacturers report sales rise despite tough trend

Manufacturing SMEs in the West Midlands are still reporting increased sales and predicting future growth despite recent reports of an industry downturn.Read

Job boost after fencing firm invests £1m

A wire fencing manufacturer has invested £1 million in machinery and employed seven new members of staff as part of plans to launch a revolutionary type of fencing.Read

Automotive boost for engineering firm Cube Precision

A Black Country engineering firm is expanding after seeing a surge in automotive business.Read

Lightning Aerospace

Coventry firm Lightning Aerospace saved by North West investment fund

A Midland aerospace firm which fell into administration last month with the loss of 14 jobs has been sold to a North West investment fund for an undisclosed sum.Read

Job boost as Tornado Wire invests £1m

A wire fencing manufacturer has invested £1 million in machinery and employed seven new members of staff as part of plans to launch a revolutionary type of fencing.Read

Hampson Industries

Son of Hampson Industries founder slams 'disgraceful' management at firm

The son of the man who founded one of the Midlands’ biggest aerospace companies has launched a scathing attack on management after its shares were suspended.Read

Aga cooks up plan to sell into Chinese households

Upmarket cooker-maker Aga Rangemaster has agreed a potentially lucrative deal with a Chinese distributor opening it up to a giant new market.Read

Seals in high places for Beakbane

Midland firm Beakbane has been striking deals in high places after designing and manufacturing what is thought to be the highest weatherproof seal in the country.Read

Profit rises at GKN despite 'increasing headwinds'

Engineering giant GKN has defied "increasing headwinds" in European car markets today by hiking its dividend 20%.Read

Shares suspended in Hampson Industries as struggles continue

Struggling aerospace engineering firm Hampson Industries has asked for its shares to be suspended – and terminated a sale process – amid ongoing finance problems.Read

Le Mans victory for pair promoting 'Made in Birmingham'

Two Midland automotive firms have celebrated a victory in the European Le Mans Series on tyres featuring a “Made in Birmingham” logo.Read

Birmingham jewellers celebrates 125th anniversary

A family jewellery firm which has supplied the likes of the Sultan of Brunei, Roman Abramovich and Lewis Hamilton has celebrated 125 years in business.Read

Big Bang

Kingswinford's TM Engineers wins Large Hadron Collider contract

A family firm from the West Midlands is helping to unravel the secrets of the universe – by supplying £750,000 worth of key parts for research into the Big Bang.Read

Business

Profit warning from Titan Europe after problems in Italy and China

Engineering firm Titan Europe has issued a profits warning after being hit by reduced demand in China and an earthquake closing its Italian factory.Read