Stahl, Waalwijk, Holland, recently announced the death of Willi Vaskovich, former president and chief executive officer, who passed away at age 70.

The Nordson Corp. Board of Directors has reported that Chairman, CEO and President Edward P. Campbell, 59, has announced his intention to retire in early 2010.

Eastman Chemical Co. recently announced earnings from continuing operations of $0.03 per diluted share for first quarter 2009 versus $1.46 per diluted share for first quarter 2008.

According to an article in the Business section of today’s New York Times, the debt plan designed by the Obama administration and the Treasury Department to save Chrysler could be derailed by some of the company’s 46 creditors who are unwilling to accept the terms of the agreement, which includes $2 billion in cash in exchange for the elimination of $6.9 billion in secured debt.

General Motors today presented an updated Viability Plan designed to speed the reinvention of GM's U.S. operations into a leaner, more customer-focused and more cost-competitive automaker.

Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI, today reported a first quarter net loss of $1.4 billion, or $0.60 per share. This compares with net income of $70 million, or $0.03 per share, in the first quarter of 2008.

Adhesives specialist Collano, headquartered in Sempach-Station near Luzern, Switzerland, has reported a drop in both sales and earnings for 2008.

The Associated Press reports that sources within General Motors have revealed that the automaker plans to close most of its U.S. manufacturing plants for as long as nine weeks this summer because of declining sales and a surplus of unsold vehicles.

Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc., Columbus, OH, has announced preliminary results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Univar Chairman and CEO Gary Pruitt announced today that he has decided to retire as chief executive officer.