Despite the ailing economy, American consumers were still expected to spend big-time on Independence Day festivities this year.

The National Retail Federation's 2010 Independence Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey (conducted by BIGresearch) predicted that 87.8 percent of all Americans would take part in some sort of Independence Day festivity, spending upward of $3 billion on holiday weekend parties, food, entertainment and travel.

Builders' merchant Travis Perkins has agreed to purchase plumbing and heating company BSS Group for £557.6 million.

The cash and shares deal values BSS shares at 435.8 pence, a 4.7% premium on Friday's closing price of 416.2p. It is the largest acquisition by Travis Perkins since the £950 million takeover of the Wickes DIY chain in 2005.

Search giant Google has agreed to buy ITA Software Inc. for $700 million, giving it a foothold in the fast-growing online travel industry.

 Google’s offer beat that of rivals Microsoft and other travel and search related companies who were hoping to prevent Google from taking over ITA.

Western Australia is a dry state and getting drier by the year: its dams and groundwater can no longer be expected to supply the increasing population of its fast-growing capital, Perth, so the Water Corporation is turning to other climate independent sources. John O’Hanlon speaks to project manager Nick Churchill.

Last year, international exploration and development company Tullow Oil discovered significant oil resources in the environmentally sensitive remoteness of East Africa. General manager Dr Brian Glover talks to Gay Sutton about the importance of this discovery, and the challenges it presents.

Stuttafords is that increasingly rare animal—a department store. In fact, it’s one of a kind; but no dinosaur, as its executive chairman Hilton Mer is determined to prove. He explains all to John O’Hanlon.

Simcoa Operations is one of the world’s leading producers of silicon. Vice president Jim Brosnan tells Jane Bordenave how a dedication to efficiency and zero waste has helped it get there.

Despite a number of obstacles, the port of Mombasa has developed into a highly efficient operation that is growing daily, as Alan Swaby learns.

Replica cars are being taken to a whole new level at one company in South Africa, as Alan Swaby learns.

Petrol heads will need no reminding of the iconic 1960s AC Cobra—often referred to as the Shelby Cobra, due to its association with US racing driver Carroll Shelby. Production ceased in England in 1969 by which time around 1,000 Cobras had been produced. Today, if such a car comes on the market it can fetch millions of dollars if it has a race history. Even with no track experience it could sell for $200,000.

South African phosphate mining and processing group Foskor gave its name to foskorite—but ironically, it is no longer mining that ore as it refocuses its strategy and resources. John O’Hanlon speaks to the VP of Mining, Johan Horn.