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@TheEconomicTimes: AMD, the leading computer chip maker has entered into a strategic alliance with the national distributor ‘Technology and Gadgets’. Together the companies will distribute the entire range of AMD professional graphics card including the AMD’s latest product ‘FirePro professional graphics ‘.

AMD is keen on expanding its foothold in the Indian market and with the alliance coming in, it is expected that the company will be able to garner an increased customer base and foray into newer geographic segments.

@livemint: Mining firm Vedanta resources have offered to buy the minority stakes held by the government in Bharat Aluminium Co. Ltd (Balco) and Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL). Earlier the government had sold 51% share in Bharat Aluminium Co. Ltd and 64% of Hindustan Zinc Ltd to Vedanta at INR 5.5 bn and INR 7.5 bn respectively. The company intends to utilize the cash reserves of the two acquired companies to finance its expansion plans.

@Business Line: Reliance Power is going to raise production of coal from the Tilaiya ultra mega power project to 40 mn tonnes per year from the existing 20 mn tonnes. The company has entered into an agreement with RWA Power to obtain technical assistance in the B and C blocks of North Karanpura coal fields with a view to meet the fuel requirements of the plant. The Tilaiya mining project has a coal reserve of 1.2 bn tonnes and is expected to generate production from 2015. Annual mining cost of the company is expected to be around INR 70 bn. Company had won the project with a winning bid of INR 1.77 per kwh.

Company also has a strategic partnership with North American Coal Corporation to carry out mining operations in the 3960 MW Sasan power plant. The Sasan power plant will be commissioned by next January. A new 3960 MW power plant is being built at Chitrangi in Madhya Pradesh and the company has been permitted to ship coal to the plant from Moher also located in Madhya Pradesh.

@moneycontrol: Harley-Davidson has geared the enhancement of their complete knock down (CKD) product line. FXDB Street Bob a classic bobber which was earlier priced at INR 1.394 mn, ex-showroom will now be available at INR 0.995 mn. In addition, Harley-Davidson FXDC Super Glide Custom will retail at INR 1.15 mn, ex-showroom against INR 1.545 mn last year.

Over the last two years, the company has strategically invested to boost its product portfolio in India. The company currently has dealership in seven cities across India. It also plans to expand their dealership in other cities such as Kolkata, Kochi and Jaipur.

@Economic Times: L’Oreal, a French cosmetics firm and Indian herbal skincare products maker Lotus Herbals are in preliminary stage to form a joint venture to target the INR 70 bn Indian beauty salon industry. The venture may be in terms of marketing and distribution capacity, however the exact nature of the deal is undisclosed. The joint venture can benefit both the companies to grow as the deal could facilitate sale of Lotus products through L’Oreal outlets.

L’Oreal India obtains 70% of its business through its consumer products division. This division offers various skincare and hair care products under the brands of L’Oreal Paris, Garnier and Maybelline New York. Lotus herbal has a portfolio of 250 products including skin whitening cream, color cosmetics and hair care. The company had earlier turned down venture offers from Estee Lauder, Shiseido & Kose Cosmetics and Dabur as they did not want to sell stake in the company.

@Equity Bills: Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has entered into an agreement to attain 60% stake in Cosmetica Nacional. This agreement has allowed GCPL to continue its focus on expanding its presence in emerging markets. It is estimated that benefits from synergy of these reputed brands is expected to boost company’s position in terms of both strategically and operationally.

Cosmetica Nacional is a market leading hair colorant and cosmetics company in Chile. It commands more than 30% market share (by volume) in this space. The new agreement will also help GCPL to pursue its global 3 by 3 strategy – presence in 3 continents – Asia, Africa and Latin America through 3 core categories – home care, personal wash and hair care.

@IT News Online: Chalk and Chuckles launched its first collection of innovative educational toys and games that help make learning faster. These toys are targeted for children above the age of 3 years, and help to sharpen their visual and creative skills. Its collection consists of 12 products which range between INR 99 – 799. Apart from website, the collection is currently available in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. Chalk and Chuckles practices research in the areas of child development and product design which enable them to create high quality educational toys.

@Deccan Herald: Woodland plans to expand its footwear and apparel stores across Karnataka. It announced plans for setting 10-15 stores in the city by the end of 2012 and has allocated INR 15 mn for establishing each store. It recently opened two stores in Hebbal and Marathahalli. The company considers South India to be strong independent market also plans to expand its brand visibility in small towns and cities such as Tumkur, Shimoga, Kundapur and Karwar.

Woodland has around 350 company-owned stores across the country. Presently the company already has a network of over 30 stores in Karnataka. During 2011, the company grew by 25% year on year in terms of sales.

@IBN Live: ReeBonn Cosmetics India (Pvt) has entered the Indian cosmetic segment by launching personal care products which cater to the emerging consumer demands. It primarily plans to launch a selected range fast moving products in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Bangalore.

ReeBonn is a global cosmetic brand marketed in several Asian & Middle East countries which offers wide range of range of personal care products. Currently it product portfolio consists of ReeBonn facewash ranges (Green Apple – Soft and Cool, Carrot – Soft and Fair, Papaya – Soft and Glowing, Turmeric – Soft and Healthy, Neem and Lemon Extracts – Anti Acne, Aloe Vera – Soft and Supple, Cucumber – Soft and Fresh). ReeBonn beauty soaps (Mushroom and Rose Oil Herbal Creamy Soap, Papaya Herbal Creamy Soap). ReeBonn fairness cream (natural vitamins and sunscreen complex). ReeBonn range of talcum powders ( Rose, Gardenia, Jasmine). ReeBonn range of shampoos (Amla – Strong and Long, Aloe Vera – dry & damaged, King Coconut – Soft and Silky, Tea Tree Oil – anti-dandruff and healthy)

@Reuters: Iron ore production from the Bailadila mines resumed after a ten day halt due to protests which disrupted the railway services in the region. The mines produce around 40,000 tonnes of iron ore per day. NMDC plans to increase the production levels to cover the losses incurred due to the halt in production.

India is one of the leading producers of iron ore in the world. Only 213 mn tonnes of the iron ore production is used by the domestic steel companies and the rest are exported to Japan, Korea, China and other nations