The week's business headlines

AFG changes name to AGC Flat Glass North America
AFG Industries Inc. of Atlanta is changing its name to AGC Flat Glass North America to more closely identify the glass company with its parent, Asahi Glass Co. of Japan, according to an April 13 article from TimesNews.net.

The announcement follows AFG’s corporate headquarter relocation to Atlanta in January. The name change will be complete in September, according to the article … read more

Sales up 6 percent for Vitro in first quarter
Officials from Mexican glassmaker Vitro S.A.B. de C.V. announced April 12 that company sales rose 6 percent to $603 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period last year, according to a same-day company release.

Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased 30 percent year-over-year, reaching $95.8 million, according to the release … read more

Southwall brings green building agenda in China
Southwall Technologies, a thin film company out of Palo Alto, Calif., entered into a partnership with China-based companies Eco Green Building Research Center and GB Sunshine Glass Technology to bring several energy-efficient building products to China, according to an April 12 company release.

Officials from the companies signed the partnership agreement during the International Conference on Intelligent, Green and Energy Efficient Building & New Technologies and Products Expo, March 26-28 in Beijing, according to the release … read more

Window-film buyers eligible for tax credits
Officials at Brussels-based Bekaert announced buyers of Panorama solar-control window film can apply for federal tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, according to an April 12 company release … read more

Malaysian Sheet Glass borrows $58 million from investment bank
The Rhb Investment Bank of Malaysia issued a $58 million loan to Malaysian Sheet Glass, according to an April 12 article from The Edge Daily.

MSG will use the loan to pay off an existing debt of $43.5 million and to invest in future capital expenditures and working capital requirements, according to the article … read more

Several investment groups look to buy Pilkington Australia
A joint venture of Sydney-based Carlyle Group and Gresham Private Equity of London might bid more than $450 million on Pilkington Australia, according to an April 9 article from The New Zealand Herald.

Several other equity and investment firms also have requested sale documents for the company, according to the article … read more

Arkema increases prices for film product component
Officials from Arkema of Paris instituted a price increase for its high content ethylene vinyl acetate products effective April 1 due to higher raw material, energy and transportation costs, according to an April 11 company release … read more