Babcock & Wilcox
wins large contract

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Inc. will be paid $150 million to design and build anti-pollution scrubbers and other equipment for three Maryland power plants.

The Barberton-based company has been awarded a contract by The Shaw Group for desulfurization units and related equipment that will be installed at Mirant Mid Atlantic's power plants. Shipment is expected to begin this spring, with commissioning planned to start at the end of 2009.

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group is owned by Houston-based McDermott International Inc.

U.S. investigates
SUV engine fires

Chrysler LLC's Pacifica sport utility vehicle is under an upgraded investigation by U.S. regulators after complaints of engine fires that the automaker said may be related to a faulty seal in the power-steering system.

As many as 51,590 of the 2007 models with 4-liter engines may be affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The agency said it received three complaints and Chrysler reported 25, as well as 166 warranty claims. No injuries were reported.

Motorists may notice a fluid loss or noisy power-steering pump before smoke or fire appears.

Ohio pasta maker
now selling products

Organic pasta maker and baker Amish Naturals Inc. in Holmesville, south of Wooster, announced that it no longer is considered to be a ''development-stage'' company.

The company's financial statements, included in its Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended Dec. 30, stated that the company had started sales of its principal products and was no longer considered to be a development-stage company.

The change is a significant milestone for the company, said David C. Skinner Sr., president and chief executive officer.

Workers may strike
at American Axle

Workers at auto supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. on Monday were preparing to strike as the company and the United Auto Workers neared a deadline to negotiate a new labor deal.

American Axle's contract, which covers around 3,600 UAW workers in Michigan and New York, was set to expire at midnight today.

The UAW's recent contracts with the Detroit Three automakers, which established lower wages for thousands of nonassembly workers, have set the stage for tough negotiations at some of their suppliers. American Axle was spun off from GM in 1994. American Axle's U.S. hourly work force has been cut almost in half since 2004.

Newell to acquire
Japanese company

Consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid has agreed to buy a Japanese maker of strollers, car seats and other children's products.

The Atlanta-based company said it is acquiring Osaka, Japan-based Aprica Kassai Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will provide Newell Rubbermaid with a premium brand that has a leading position in Japan. Newell Rubbermaid manufactures the Graco car seat, Sharpie pens and Rubbermaid products.

The transaction is expected to close later this year.

Ohio to open offices
in Australia, India

Ohio's state government is opening trade offices in Australia and India to encourage those countries to invest in the state and buy Ohio products.

The move gives Ohio 13 trade offices abroad.

The Australian office will be in Sydney. In India, Ohio's main office will be in New Delhi, with several branch offices.

Pakistan takes out
YouTube access

Google Inc.'s YouTube, the world's most popular video-sharing site, was down worldwide for about two hours Monday because of a network problem in Pakistan.

Google said it is investigating the problem to prevent it from happening again.