Core competencies CORE Construction is the construction manager at risk for two new residence halls currently being built for the University of Arizona. April Terreri takes notes. Planning construction for educational facilities nowadays is a more inclusive process than ever before. As environmental impact and sustainability issues become interwoven into American daily life, building designers and architects are listening to the demands of todayÔÇÖs college students by designing and constructing buildings with sustainable features.

Buying locally  David Hendricks learns how Eastern Canadians, using the co-operative business model of Co-op Atlantic, are making a positive difference in the lives of their fellow citizens by helping to meet their economic, cultural and social needs, while improving their own lives as well.  The concept of a co-operative, or co-op, goes back centuries and is loosely defined as an association of people who choose to unite to meet common economic, social and cultural needs through a jointly owned, democratically controlled enterprise.

Culture change  April Terreri talks with the vice president of Wabush Mines to learn more about his vision of inclusion among unionized and salaried employees.  Up until about a year ago, going to work at Wabush Mines in Labrador was not a very pleasant experience. The relationship between union and salaried workers had long been tense and distrustful. But all that is changing since Gino Levesque took over as vice president and general manager of Wabush a little over a year ago.

Knowing the earth  Keith Regan learns from the project managers representing the Clark Construction/Balfour Beatty joint venture overseeing construction how getting a sprawling, multi-faceted project done in less than four years has required a new level of teamwork.  The National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) may be one of the least visible of the agencies that help protect national security, but its mission to ÔÇ£know the earth and show the wayÔÇØ makes it a key partner to other intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense.

What goes around For 18 years, Carousel Industries has continued to grow and thrive despite downturns in the economy. One of the reasons for this continued success could be the companyÔÇÖs philosophy of listening carefully to what customers really need. Iris Seymour reports. Like so many other American success stories that started with very humble beginnings, this one began with just two determined young men, one truck and one customer. That was back in 1992, when Jeff Gardner and a partner launched Carousel Industries, Inc. in Exeter, Rhode Island.

Pedal to the metals Canada Zinc Metals has a very desirable piece of property thatÔÇöwith access to road, rail, shipping and power all in the general areaÔÇöit hopes to develop into a productive and profitable zinc-lead mine, David Hendricks discovers. Vancouver-based Canada Zinc Metals is a tier one mineral resource exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX.V: CZX).

Merck, the German pharmaceuticals and chemicals company, has agreed to buy the Massachusetts-based laboratory supplies maker Millipore for $7.2 billion including net debt.

Magnetising the world
Piet Veenema, CEO of Kendrion, and Bernd Gundelsweiler, business unit manager of the companyÔÇÖs Passenger Car Systems division, talk to Jayne Flannery about what it takes to make an impact in the world of electromagnetic components.
In the rarefied world of electromagnetics, Kendrion is a name that stands out. The company is recognised as one of the worldÔÇÖs leading manufacturers of electromagnetic components. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company has more than 1,000 employees.

The next generation
The worldÔÇÖs largest dry-cooled power stationÔÇöthe largest power station in AfricaÔÇöis under construction near Lephalale in South Africa. It will not only boost power production by 4,800 megawatts but will also play an important role in job creation in the region. Project manager Roman Crookes talks to Gay Sutton about the project.

Core of the business
Enrico Barbaglia, vice president of Mining in Southern Africa with energy solutions provider AREVA, talks to Jayne Flannery about the challenges of the business.
AREVA is the worldÔÇÖs largest uranium producer. It has a market share of about 15 per cent and is active in four out of the worldÔÇÖs five richest uranium producing countries. The extensive mining interests of AREVA cover exploration, extraction and the processing of uranium ore; and the reclamation of sites after production has finished.