The group has bought a Canadian rubber lining firm and foundries in Malaysia and South Africa.

BBC: Weir Group in ?55m spending spree

Finishing things off: 2 millimeters of lining leather, Vibram rubber soles, a steel shank, a leather heel counter and a styrene toe box to harden the front and prevent nasty stubs.

FORBES: Entrepreneurs

As usual, its majority is lining up to perform the role of rubber-stamp on whatever treaty an executive signs and wants ratified.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Quality control or rubber stamp?