A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Kingspan buys solar panel firm
Kingspan has bought Thermomax, a Down-based solar panel manufacturer that was in administration.
Thermomax is the UK's largest producer of solar thermal panels for hot water and had turnover of about £15 million (€22 million) in 2006. It got into financial difficulties earlier this year.
The company employs 185 people at its base plant in Bangor and a further 85 in Cardiff. Kingspan plans to manage Thermomax as a going concern while maintaining its name and brand.
No price was disclosed for the deal but it is not thought to be material to Kingspan, which is making the acquisition through its environmental division.
Thermomax's vacuum solar panels are sold in more than 40 countries, including locations in Asia.
Persian Gold expands in Iran
Persian Gold, the exploration company run by John Teeling, has acquired two additional gold projects as part an expansion of its activities in Iran.
The projects are at Dalli, 200km (124 miles) southwest of Tehran, and Dustbiglu, which lies 400km (248km) northwest of Tehran. The company currently has two gold projects in the country - Chah-e-Zard and Takestan.
Smart broadens its horizons
Smart Telecom yesterday said it had bought broadband, TV and telephone services supplier Envi Communications.
Neither party revealed the sum paid, but it is understood to have been less than €500,000. Envi supplies combined broadband, TV and telephone services to residential customers.
Smart said it planned to integrate Envi's business into its own operations.
120 new jobs at Clones plant
About 120 new jobs are expected to be created at the Clones plant of beef processing business AIBP over the coming year following a €20 million investment programme in the Co Monaghan site.
The plant, which employs 100 people, has opened a new beef processing facility.
Anglo Irish Bank
The headline on a report in yesterday's editions on credit ratings for Anglo Irish Bank stated: "Fitch confirms AIB credit ratings". This should have read "Fitch confirms Anglo credit ratings".
National Irish Bank
A report in yesterday's newspaper on overcharging of customers by Ulster Bank stated that National Irish Bank "is also paying back €11 million for improper charges".
In fact, National Irish Bank has completed a programme to repay €12.5 million to customers who were improperly charged fees and interest.
Labour costs remain problem
Labour costs remain the most significant problem facing small businesses, according to the Small Firms' Association's annual business survey.
The association also said non-pay costs were exerting huge pressures on small businesses, with inflation the second-highest concern among its members. Energy and fuel prices were also a major concern, it said.
Manor adds to its portfolio
Manor House Hotels & Irish Country Hotels has added three new properties to its portfolio: the newly-renovated Lough Rynn Castle in Mohill, Co Leitrim; Errigal Country House Hotel in Cootehill, Co Cavan; and the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
