Assystem invests in UK:

UK development agency Invest Northern Ireland has announced that French-owned international engineering company Assystem is to invest £900,000 in the UK. Assystem UK will be based in Belfast and will specialise in aerospace design engineering.

Delphi expands in Poland:

The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency has reported that Michigan-based automotive parts firm Delphi is developing the production of auto components in the Katowice special economic zone. Delphi will invest in its steering gears plant in Tychy and will start a new production line in Gliwice as well.

Magna JV in Russia:

Canadian automotive industry supplier Magna International and Russian car manufacturer AvtoVAZ OAO are to build a car factory in Russia in a joint venture. The two companies have agreed to build a $1.7bn plant in the southern city of Togliatti, to produce up to 500,000 cars per year by 2010.

Firestone goes to Las Vegas:

Firestone Building Products Company, a US subsidiary of Japanese rubber goods firm Bridgestone Corporation, has announced the launch of a thermoplastic polyolefin manufacturing plant and distribution centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Construction of the facility began late last year.

Bosch & Denso factory for Poland:

Japanese-German joint venture Bosch and Denso is to receive aid for the construction of a €60m factory in Wroclaw, Poland. The investment is expected to create 250 jobs. Bosch already has a factory in Poland, where it manufactures brake components for Fiat, Peugeot and GM.