The week's business headlines

Pilkington chief executive to take top spot at Nippon
Stuart Chambers, the chief executive of United Kingdom glassmaker Pilkington, is set to become the head of the flat-glass division for Japan’s Nippon Sheet Glass, according to a Dec. 24 article from the Sunday Telegraph.

NSG acquired Pilkington in a deal worth about $5 billion last June … read more

DuPont’s architectural glass sales could slow this year
A sluggish market for new home construction could mean slower sales of DuPont architectural glass in 2007, according to a Dec. 31 article in delawareonline.

Efforts of the Wilmington, Del.-based company could hit a stumbling block this year if the U.S. economy weakens, said Charles O. Holliday Jr., DuPont's chairman and chief executive officer, at a November meeting with analysts, according to the article.

DuPont will continue a push into bio-fuels and other bio-based products this year, garnering favorable reviews from analysts. The company also will continue cost-cutting efforts, announced in late 2005, designed to cut $1 billion in costs over three years, including $400 million in fixed costs in 2007, according to the article ... read more

Asahi India Glass poised for 2007 growth
With low oil prices and Asahi India’s integrated plant coming up on schedule, the company’s performance should improve going forward, according to a Jan. 3 Business Standard article.

Asahi India’s 700-ton-a-day float glass plant began production Jan. 1, and will increase its float glass market share from 20 percent to 35 percent according to company officials. The plant also will manufacture reflective and mirror, automotive-safety and architectural glass, according to the article ... read more

Legislation and incentives fuel photovoltaic demand
State and federal governments are adopting legislation and offering incentives to support the rapidly growing renewable energy and power industry in the face of growing public concerns about energy independence, security and climate change. California is playing a leading role in such legislation, according to a Dec. 29 TechNewsWorld article.

California Solar Initiative introduction, set for Jan. 1, the largest program of its kind with a $2.9 billion budget, aims by 2017 to facilitate and finance 3,000 megawatts of solar-generated electrical power by installing photovoltaic systems in about 1 million homes, businesses and public buildings, according to the article... read more