Two Guinness World Records titles have been awarded to Kirobo, the robot astronaut developed as part of a joint research project between Dentsu Incorporate, the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Robo Garage Company Limited, Toyota Motor Corporation, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Walter Surface Technologies, a global provider of surface treatment technologies, recently announced it has been recognised by W.W. Grainger Incorporate with the prestigious “Best Supplier with the Greatest Commitment” award during Grainger Mexico’s presentation gala held on March 4 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

The significant increases in the area of renewable energy generation and the increasingly critical position against nuclear power moved the ‘Energy’ issue into the centre of all commercial and political discussions during the last few years. This is amplified by price increases for fossil raw materials, such as crude oil and natural gas, which make it one of the most important events of the industry. Despite the new energies, the demand in these areas continues to be increasing while the production of oil and gas– among others due to the shortage of resources– is faced with ever increasing challenges.

Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, is pleased to announce the appointment of William Fricks to Managing Partner of Barry-Wehmiller International (B-WI), its global consulting division that provides engineering and information technology solutions to mid-market manufacturing companies.

Walter Energy Incorporate, a producer of metallurgical coal that’s declined 52 percent in the last year, plans to close an Alabama mine earlier than expected and end operations at a British Columbia mine as it looks to cut costs.

World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) was 128 million tonnes (Mt) in February 2015, a 0.6 percent increase compared to February 2014.

Successor to be named in coming weeks

The Boeing Company named Jeff Johnson the vice president of the Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) Business Development earlier this month. He succeeds Tim Norgart, who recently retired from Boeing. Johnson will be based in St. Louis, Missouri, and report to BMA President Shelley Lavender.

APAC continues to lead the global construction industry. In addition to high activity in dominant markets such as China and India, even the smaller markets are witnessing solid growth. Mongolia for example, recorded one of the strongest growth rates with a near 20% increase recorded. With project values currently standing at over $1 trillion; the region is characterised by an abundance of construction industry project opportunities.