REGION

REGION

$1.3B defense contract

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Kongsberg Defense Corp. plans to more than double its work force under a $1.3 billion defense contract awarded to its parent company. Kongsberg Defense will do maintenance and repair work on the Protector Remote Weapons System that is manufactured by its Norwegian parent company, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace.

The Protector devices are mounted on military vehicles and use cameras to give soldiers a 360-degree view around the vehicle, enabling them to fire weapons at targets without having to leave their armored vehicles.

The new contract will let the Richland Township company grow from 16 to 35 employees.

NATION

Penney recalls chairs

DALLAS — J.C. Penney is recalling 4,000 spindle-back chairs because they can collapse, federal officials said Thursday.

The recall covers Windsor Spindle-Back side chair sets of four chairs made from solid hardwood. The backs and legs are painted white and the seat is a natural-wood color. They were made in Malaysia.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Penney has received four reports of the chairs collapsing and one minor whiplash injury.

The chairs were sold exclusively through Penney’s catalog and online businesses from April 2006 through June of this year for about $250 per set. The safety commission said consumers who bought the chairs should stop using them and contact Penney to get free replacements or a refund.

Wal-Mart to retest toys

Wal-Mart Stores is stepping up testing and safety reviews of the toys it sells to reassure consumers after a series of recalls of Chinese-made toys over hazards to children. Wal-Mart’s top toy executive said Thursday the retailer will require manufacturers to resubmit testing documentation for toys already on the shelves or in shipment, so that Wal-Mart can double-check the results.

The world’s largest retailer is also increasing the number of toys tested at independent labs by about 25 percent to 50 percent, or an average of 200 additional items daily.

From Vindicator wire services