Schneider Electric will acquire Invensys Advanced Building Systems' operations in Europe and Middle East (ABS EMEA). ABS EMEA, owned by Invensys plc, is a provider of building automation solutions and services (regulation, monitoring and control of all technical equipment in buildings) in the UK under the Satchwell brand name and has a strong presence across the rest of Europe and in the Middle East. The company generated revenues of US$168 million for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2005, with a restated operating profit of US$12.3 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

GE Fanuc Automation has announced a new organisational vision and structure which is designed to closely align the company's strategies and solutions with the needs of the industrial community. It is designed with a view to helping manufacturers improve their competitive advantage through greater productivity, regulatory compliance and reduced overall operational costs.

Cardno Limited has announced the acquisition of consulting engineering firm Eppell.

Moog has acquired Kaydon Corporation's power and data technologies division. The division manufactures complex electrical and fibre-optic rotary products used in demanding aerospace, defence, industrial, security, medical and marine applications. Products include slip rings and slip ring assemblies, video and data multiplexers, and fibre-optic rotary joints. Sizes range from compact CCTV applications to the large, complex FPSO swivels used in offshore oil and gas production.

Professional services company GHD has been engaged by APC, a consortium of AGL and Petronas, to provide front-end engineering and design services for the Australian leg of the proposed multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline from Papua New Guinea to Australia.

Regional development organisations, recruitment companies and the New Zealand Department of Labour's Immigration Service are joining a number of local employers who are heading to the inaugural German employment expo in search of skilled migrants.

The Certification Board for Inspection Personnel (CBIP) in New Zealand appointed the Australian Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (AINDT) Certification Board to provide certification services in non-destructive testing from 1 July 2005 for an initial period of three years.

Wonderware has achieved Gold Certified Partner level in the Microsoft Partner Program. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are experts with direct training and support from Microsoft, who can build positive customer experiences with MS technologies.

The ISA-SP100 committee will establish standards, recommended practices, technical reports, and related information that will define procedures for implementing wireless systems in the automation and control environment with a focus on the field level (Level 0).

MIPAC has successfully completed an upgrade of Norske Skog's Albury Paper Machine control system. MIPAC completed the upgrade and returned the machine to production 15 hours ahead of schedule.

Control Microsystems, a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) equipment manufacturer headquartered in Canada, and Serck Controls, a SCADA systems engineering company headquartered in Australia, formed a global strategic alliance in November 2004 to leverage technology, manufacturing and market opportunities.

Energizer Holdings, Inc has awarded Citect a contract to implement a manufacturing execution system (MES) solution in one of its alkaline battery plants in the US, with plans to add more plants within the year.

Anyone who has worked in engineering is only too aware of how small the industry can be, which often makes it difficult when you are in the early stages of selling your practice or finding a new job.

Australasia's status as a world leader in innovation and technology will once again be recognised by the 2006 DuPont Australia and New Zealand Innovation Awards.

The nation's state and territory manufacturing ministers have supported an initiative by Victorian minister for manufacturing and export, André Haermeyer to hold a national summit to address the mounting issues facing Australia's manufacturing sector. Mr Haermeyer sought the meeting following the recent abolition of the industry and technology ministers council at COAG.