"We are impressed with Syncroness' portfolio, which includes designing and managing the complete development-to-production process for a range of successful consumer products, " says Rebecca Hough, director of sales and marketing for Evatran.

ENGADGET: Plugless Power gearing up for production of its hands-free EV charging stations

Once seen as badly trailing its competitors in areas such as directional drilling and drilling fluids, Halliburton now has everything it needs to win contracts for projects such as designing, building and operating systems to manage production from oilfields.

FORBES: Mr. Outside saves the day

That is a recommendation you might expect from a management consultancy, but no less valid for that: part of the recent increase in efficiency in Brazil's car plants, for example, comes from introducing work teams and re-designing production lines.

ECONOMIST: Measuring productivity