The US trade deficit narrowed more than expected in July, as imports fell and exports climbed to their highest level in almost two years, according to Commerce Department figures released today.

The deficit in international trade of goods and services narrowed by 14 percent to $42.78 billion, from $49.76 billion in June, with imports down by 2.1 percent to $196.11 billion from $200.33 billion in June. Exports rose 1.8 percent to $153.3 billion, their highest since August 2008, and up from $150.57 billion in June.

Virgin Money has created 200 jobs in Edinburgh as part of its strategy to firm up its foothold in the UK banking sector.

The financial arm of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is giving a much-needed boost to the Scottish capital, which has suffered from large-scale job cuts.

Virgin Money said the new jobs would bring its total workforce to 500.

The group is now looking for city-centre premises for a new operations office, with staff recruitment expected to begin early next year, ahead of the spring launch date set for Virgin Bank.

Sunterra Meats produces pork and other meat products for markets as far flung as Australia and Japan, where standards for quality and food safety are as demanding as anywhere in the world. Keith Regan learns how the company focuses on delivering quality from farm gate to dinner plate.

Rising gold prices have seen a global surge in gold mining operations. Todd Roth at Sumitomo Metal Mining tells Andrew Pelis how Japanese experience has been applied to North American reserves.

Alaska’s remote wilderness may seem an unlikely setting for Japanese prosperity, yet beneath the hills and valleys lies that most precious of commodities: gold.

With the principles of lean manufacturing guiding the way, Aesculap, Inc. has dramatically improved its ability to see how its business operations are performing in real time, with an eye toward reducing its reliance on costly and inefficient inventory stockpiles. Keith Regan learns how the provider of surgical kits and related medical equipment has achieved a first milestone on a long journey to excellence.

Consolidated Thompson Mines is leveraging an experienced team, state-of-the-art technology and the quality of its in-the-ground resource on the global market to engineer significant growth in the near future, as Keith Regan finds out.

Illinois River Energy’s favorable cost structure, yields, profitability and management of supply chain and commodities combine to guarantee that the company won’t be going away anytime soon, Pam Derringer learns.

Rob Harris investigates how MFC Group is using new innovations in automation, cellular manufacturingand lean manufacturing to increase market share and customer satisfaction.

David Hendricks dons his cleanest overalls to talk to the EVP of Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, a contract cleaner that provides cleaning services to a wide range of clients across Canada.

Kennecott Eagle Minerals has been feeling its way through the tough new mining law and regulations enacted in the State of Michigan in 2004. General manager Jon Cherry talks to Gay Sutton about the challenges of the process and why the new law will benefit the mining community.