The Weidmuller Group has acquired the Sydney process automation component manufacturer, Mann Industries International.

Sun Microsystems has signed fifteen new Linux partners and experienced increased sales in its Linux-based Sun Fire V60x and V65x, signifying an increasing move to adopt open source platforms.

UXC Limited (UXC) has completed the purchase of 100% of the shares of Red Rock Consulting Pty Ltd, the largest independent Oracle solution and consulting service provider in Australia/New Zealand.

Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos Group has acquired more than 94% of the German-based pump manufacturer Hilge.

ABB has won the Platts 2003 Global Energy Award for its part in developing the world’s most powerful storage battery system.

Manufacturing & Management Systems has announced its new name — LSA Australia Pty Limited.

Cincon has announced that Trane, a global air conditioning manufacturer, will implement Cincom’s Enterprise Management System, Control:2003, in its Taicang, China manufacturing facility. The facility in Jiangsu Province, just outside Shanghai, produces large commercial chillers for worldwide distribution.

Adhesives Research Inc, a global developer and manufacturer of custom pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, coatings, specialty films and laminates, has announced the opening of its new technical centre in Singapore.

A broad spectrum of effective, efficient solutions in automation technology is promised at Automatica 2004, the International Trade Fair for Robotics + Automation, which takes place from 15 to 18 June 2004 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Successfully using stainless steel depends on environment, grade selected, surface finish, the expectations of the customer and the maintenance specified. Stainless steels provide robust solutions, but in harsh or borderline environments with high expectations for durability, surface finish will have a substantial impact on performance. Surface finishes can be applied mechanically (usually with abrasives) and also chemically.

Electric motors are used in a multitude of applications within every conceivable industry. They are the workhorses of industry. Many applications require special consideration when selecting an appropriate motor. This article is written to qualify and assist the specifier in selecting an appropriate motor for a severe duty application. This excludes motors used in hazardous areas.

The West Australian node of the Nanostructural Analysis Network Organisation (NANO) was officially opened by the West Australian Premier Geoff Gallop on 17 December 2003. NANO is a Major National Research Facility (NANO-MNRF).

Professor Vernon Ireland is the new President of the Sydney Division of Engineers Australia.

Keen interest in EMEX 2004 as New Zealand’s leading showcase for industrial technology is indicated by exhibitor bookings currently coming in almost twice as fast as they did for the successful 2002 event.

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) market within the manufacturing sector is forecasted to rebound over the next five years and grow from US$8.9 billion in 2002 to US$11.9 billion by 2007 for a CAGR of 5.8%, according to a newly updated study by ARC Advisory Group.