Work balance and holiday vacation rights are compared in Germany and the U.S. as Mreike Graepel and Sheila Langan, who live in these different parts of the world describe their working culture.

Co Cavan-based building materials group Kingspan is in advanced talks over a takeover deal in Belgium which would see the company significantly expand its insulated panels business in mainland Europe.

Spinmania is crossing the Atlantic. If 2014 was the year of the US corporate spinoff, the next 12 months may see the trend grow in Europe.

Kingspan is intent on making further large-scale acquisitions in Europe and north America this year, with the company capable of absorbing takeover costs of over €300m.

Building materials group Kingspan has made a strong start to 2013, despite seeing persistent weakness in many of its markets.

Building materials specialist Kingspan has said that it is on course to meet full-year targets — including a 10% rise in trading profit — despite seeing a slight drop in revenues in the third quarter.

Kingspan has reported a strong set of first-half results — including a 23% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profits — but said it remains cautious in terms of full-year outlook.

Building insulation specialist Kingspan has entered into agreements to buy two firms for a combined price of nearly €100m

Insulation company Kingspan have announced that it has entered into an agreement with ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG to acquire 100% of the share capital of various companies which comprise ThyssenKrupp Construction Group, the leading European insulated panels business.

CAVAN-headquartered building materials group, Kingspan is considering sizing up a €300 million-plus acquisition in Germany, in a bid to expand in the country which accounts for nearly 10% of its annual revenues.

One man was killed and nine others injured in a fire at a steel plant in Italy, officials and news reports said today.

Wall Street finished a wobbly session flat today as stubbornly high bond yields discouraged investors from buying back into the stock market.

GERMAN stocks declined after a report showed US consumer prices rose more than forecast. RWE and ThyssenKrupp paced the retreat.

European Union regulators slapped their largest price-fixing fine ever – €992m – on five lift makers today.

GERMANY’S transport minister met representatives of train manufacturer Transrapid yesterday to discuss the crash of a “maglev” high-speed train that killed 23 people and injured 10.

German prosecutors are examining recordings of railway radio communications today, following the horrific high-speed train crash that killed 23 people.

Share prices pushed higher midday as market participants jostled for position ahead of an expected ECB rate cut this afternoon.

China has started building the world's first commercial levitating high-speed train.