united states

The Catalan company Áreas will manage two service areas in the United States until 2047, including the largest in the entire country, located on the I-95 in Maryland, the busiest motorway in the US. The Catalan company will invest $56 million in their renovation, which will produce a turnover of about $1.8 billion in 35 years. With this operation, Áreas becomes the second largest operator in the US. The Catalan multinational ended the 2011 financial year with a turnover of €649 million, which represents 4% more than in 2010. This growth has been possible due to the company’s expansion in international markets.

The Catalan transport and telecommunication company ended 2011 with a net profit of €720 million. The profit increase is due to a growth in returns from Abertis’ airport business and the increase in traffic on its motorways in France and the United States. However, the Barcelona-based multinational experienced a drop in its telecommunication revenues.

The Catalan town of Figueres will host the first edition of the International Circus Festival from March 1st to 4th. Three special trains have been arranged to bring viewers from París and Milan. The International Circus Festival includes 52 artists from 13 different countries. It will take place in Sant Ferran Castle.

The US technology company Tech Data will create 400 highly qualified jobs in the Catalan capital. Tech Data, which specialises in hardware distribution, will open the new facility in Barcelona’s Zona Franca, an industrial district next to the port. The new Barcelona operations centre will serve the rest of the company’s European plants.

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol joined Barça Regal for training this Thursday, alongside his brother Marc Gasol. The two will train under Xavi Pascual whilst the NBA lockout continues. Pau Gasol hopes to be able to play with Los Angeles Lakers soon, but meanwhile he will train with FC Barcelona Regal.

Thanks to this purchase, Sabadell United Bank, the US branch of the Catalan Banc Sabadell, significantly increases its size. Lydian Private Bank has assets worth 1,607 million dollars, client deposits of 1,224 million dollars and loans worth some 383 million. Sabadell is particularly strong in Florida, where it already has its US headquarters.

In three weeks time, Barça begin their pre-season with the prospect of more than 20,000 kilometres of travel ahead of them, including visits to Split, Munich, Washington, Miami and Dallas.

The Catalan pharmaceutical company is the world’s leader in blood-derived products. After expanding in the United States by purchasing Talecris, Grifols needed a larger headquarters. It moved to three interconnected buildings in Sant Cugat del Vallès, in Barcelona’s Metropolitan Area. From the new facilities, Grifols will investigate stem cells and Alzheimer’s.

The company, that processes 1.2 million hams, is the first Catalan meat factory authorized to sell in the United States. As from next year, Pernils Llémena will start exporting to California and New York.

This summer will be FC Barcelona’s third consecutive visit to the USA as European Champions, following their trips in the summer of 2006 and 2009.

Major League Soccer and CAA Sports have announced the fixtures for the Herbalife World Football Challenge to be held in the United States. FC Barcelona, which will participate between July 30th and August 6th, have also announced that Turkish Airlines will be the main sponsor for the team’s US Tour.

The Major League Soccer organisation and CAA Sports have announced that Barça and Manchester United will meet on July 30th as part of the World Football Challenge Tournament 2011 to be played in Landover, Maryland.

The Catalan pharmaceutical and chemical company was identified in a Wikileaks cable from the U.S. State Department as one of three strategic items the United States had in Spain, together with the natural gas pipeline from Algeria and the Gibraltar Strait. Grifols leads the blood plasma-based products’ market in Europe and is expanding its U.S. presence.

The Catalan multinational car components company Ficosa increased its sales in the US and Mexico by 20%. Ficosa is also expanding its Viladecavalls plant in the South of Barcelona to turn it into an international technological centre. The Catalan company will have more than 28% of the North-American market share of car mirrors.

The Islamic intellectual, Tariq Ramadan was interviewed by CNA. “We are afraid of the arrival of immigrants, but the best thing to do is develop the countries of origin”. The grandson of the Muslim Brotherhood’s founder criticised Europe’s lack of commitment with the democratization of the Muslim world as revolts go on and racism grows in countries like Switzerland and Spain.