Mitsubishi Denies GE Rumors

Japan’s largest heavy machinery maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. denied a newspaper report that it is in talks with General Electric Co. on a business alliance. Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun said the two companies have started negotiating to form a business alliance for small power generators. "It is not true that we have started such talks," said a spokeswoman for Mitsubishi Heavy. But she said the company will consider a variety of alliances in many business fields in the future. The newspaper said limited capital investment by Japanese power companies amid a prolonged economic slump had forced the two rivals to join hands. In May, Mitsubishi Heavy reported its first-ever loss, for the business year that ended last March. Many of Japan's traditional industries continued to suffer from the nation's decade-long economic downturn. No immediate comments were available from GE. – (Reuters)