Process Business News
15 Apr 2008
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Company / announced |
Details |
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Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) 15 April |
CPI and the Centre of Excellence for Nano, Micro and Photonic Systems (Cenamps) are to merge with immediate effect in a move that reinforces the region’s position as the lead driver for innovation in the UK’s processing sector. Together, the newly merged CPI will be championing four key technology areas that offer the most sustainable growth potential. They are: advanced processes, low carbon energy, functional materials and printable electronics. CPI’s CEO Nigel Perry said, “This is a highly positive move for North East England in a sector where we already have a real international presence. Processing is moving forward at a great pace and only those organisations which continually innovate and evolve will keep up with the marketplace.” |
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FLIR Systems 8 April |
Has acquired Ifara Tecnologias, a Madrid, Spain-based provider of middleware and client application software used to create sensor networks, for Euro7m cash. Ifara develops software technology, hardware, and developer tools used for the creation and maintenance of sensor networks for applications such as security and surveillance, force protection, reconnaissance, and maritime. With Ifara's technology, FLIR will be able to provide its customers with the capability to easily and seamlessly integrate a wide variety of sensors as required for any given project |
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KSB AG 8 April |
KSB of Frankenthal,Germany, and Nikkiso Co. Ltd. of Tokyo are to establish a 50:50 joint-venture company based in Altenstadt near Frankfurt on 1 July. The Nikkiso-KSB GmbH JV will focus on developing and supplying canned motor pumps for customers in Europe and the Middle East. The JV will be the second largest supplier in the Euro50m, European market for these seal-less pumps, said KSB. The pumps are used for processes in which zero leakage of the fluid pumped is an absolute requirement, for example for the transport of explosive or toxic media. The main customers are industrial plant engineering contractors as well as chemical and process engineering companies |
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Grundfos 7 April |
2007 results show a new annual sales record of £1.68bn.Emerging markets within Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia and China showed strong growth, while even the more mature markets within Western Europe grew by a healthy 6%.Last year also saw the globalisation of the group continue with the opening of new factories in Hungary and Mexico, a sales company in Kazakhstan and the acquisition of Peerless Pumps in the US. Forecast 9% sales growth for 2008 - on track to achieve £2bn sales target ambition in 2010 |
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AMEC 2 April |
Acquires project services company Rider Hunt International (RHI) from its owner managers for £25m in cash.Based in Godalming, UK, RHI is an international provider of project services to the oil, gas, chemical, energy and process industries. The company has a professional staff of some 240 people, working in 15 countries and has locations both in mature markets and frontier regions, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan |
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20 March |
To acquire Indufil BV, a Dutch-based producer of patented filtration systems used for rotating equipment fluid, fuel and gas conditioning. Employing some 95 people, Indufil has bases in Duiven and Ede and much of its output is used in the petrochemical and power generation sectors. It benefits from a strong aftermarket for its products, and had 2007 sales of around £26m |
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20 March |
Partnership with Areva to develop major mining projects. The aim is to double Areva's uranium production capacity in the next five years, starting with about 10 new mining operations, mostly in Africa. To execute these projects, which represent a total investment of about Euro3bn, Technip and SGN, Areva's engineering subsidiary specialising in the nuclear fuel cycle, have created a JV under the name TSU Project |
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BP/ Irving Oil 17 March |
BP and regional refiner and marketer Irving Oil are to work together on the next phase of engineering, design, and feasibility for the proposed Eider Rock refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. BP will contribute $40m funding for this stage of the study and the two companies will also investigate forming a JV to build the refinery. Irving Oil has been engaged since Jan 2007 in permitting, public consultation, and engineering design for the proposed 300,000 bpd refinery |
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10 March |
Has joined ENPPI and GASCO in a joint venture to create Invensys Process System Egypt the first, 'Industrial Automation Engineering Centre of Excellence' in the country. “This new company will play a significant role in the modernisation of the Egyptian petroleum industry will help increase refinery utilization, maximise productivity and minimize maintenance costs,” said Invensys |
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ExxonMobil Chemical / Shell Chemicals 10 March |
Have agreed to seek a buyer for their Infineum additives joint venture as part of an ongoing strategic assessment of the business and opportunities for growth, restructuring, or divestment depending upon fit with overall strategic business objectives. JP Morgan has been retained to assist with the strategic study. No divestment decision has been made and there is no specific timetable related to the strategic study, the partners stated |
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4 March |
2007 sales up 28% to $4,432.7m and earnings (EBITA) up 48% to $318.4m. Earning up across all three divisions: Engineering & Production Facilities (up 51%); Well Support (up 18%); Gas Turbine Services (up 69%). Oil & gas and power markets expected to remain strong. Also forecast strong revenue and earnings growth in both Engineering and in Production Facilities |
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29 Feb |
Has completed the acquisition of Solvay Engineered Polymers Inc., supplier of polypropylene compounds in North America. “The acquisition of Solvay Engineered Polymers clearly demonstrates our commitment to support our automotive OEM and Tier I customers with high performance products and innovative solutions," said Paul Yeates, senior VP of LyondellBasell's Advanced Polyolefins Business |
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28 Feb |
To acquire CEDES AG’s Safety and Automation business — a Landquart, Switzerland-based supplier of safety and measuring light curtains, as well as other safety and non-safety optoelectronics, control units and related accessories. The companies did not disclose terms of the deal, which is due to be completed early in the second calendar quarter of 2008. The CEDES business will be included in the Architecture and Software operating segment, said Rockwell |
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28 Feb |
Has acquired Metlab, an Ireland-based privately owned laboratory business, which provides non destructive testing (NDT) and construction materials testing (CMT). Metlab services a range of industries in Ireland including pharmaceutical, utility, power generation, civil construction, manufacturing and inspection/maintenance |
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28 Feb |
Has emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization. Jeffry Quinn, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: “Over the past four years, we have transformed our portfolio through strategic acquisitions, internal investments, asset dispositions, and the re-deployment of significant nylon assets to higher-value uses.” |
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27 Feb |
License agreement with TL-Systems AG, the Swiss-based holding company of the Translift group, which allows Excel to use the Translift trademark, intellectual property and EMS product range, in the UK. Deal follows the withdrawal from the market of Digitron-Translift Ltd, a UK automated systems supplier and licensee of Translift’s Electric Monorail Components and Systems (EMS) |
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25 Feb |
Has completed the acquisition of privately held Biokinetics Inc. from MPA Holdings LP. FW said the deal enables it to re-establish its position in the North American pharmaceutical market and strengthens its position relative to key US pharmaceutical companies seeking to invest in the US and globally. In addition, this acquisition will provide enhanced capabilities to existing Biokinetics clients |
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22 Feb |
Has acquired Flexicon A/S - a Danish manufacturer of peristaltic aseptic filling systems. The acquisition for around £14.3 million) will enable Watson-Marlow to enhance its product offering and to strengthen its position in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors worldwide |
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22 Feb |
Acquires Remote Control Sweden (RCS), a manufacturer of pneumatic valve actuators and associated control systems. RCS is the latest acquisition in Rotork’s expanding Fluid Systems division, providing it with a range of complementary products and market opportunities. RCS products will continue to be marketed through their existing sales channels and integrated into Rotork’s extensive international sales network |
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21 Feb |
2007 order intake up 17%, sales up 14% to Euro7.9bn. Onshore-downstream business impacted by significant charges. Forecast growth in subsea revenues of 10% in 2008 to around Euro8bn, operating margins in subsea of over 15% and overall group margin above 7.3% |
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Siemens 19 Feb |
AMOT has been named as a member of the 'Siemens Solution Partner Automation Scheme', a programme developed by Siemens to recognise companies with the control systems experience to ensure reliable provision of individual technical solutions |
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Air Liquide 15 Feb |
2007 results show sales up 7.8% to Euro11.8bn and net profit up +12.1%. Doubling of total capital expenditure to Euro2.7bn and strengthening of portfolio through acquisition of Lurgi. Benoît Potier, chairman and CEO said: “This progress is based on strong geographic presence, particularly in emerging economies, the consolidation of our positions in growth markets such as hydrogen and homecare, and the strengthening of our technology portfolio in the energy and environmental markets which require large volumes of oxygen |
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ABB 14 Feb |
2007 results show earnings (EBIT) up 57% to $4bn on sales 25% higher at $29.2bn. Process automation sales up 18% to $6.4bn and EBIT up26% to $683m, helped by large orders in the oil & gas, minerals and marine industries. Orders almost doubled in the Americas, led by Canada, Chile and Brazil. Order growth was 50% higher in Europe and Asia. ABB forecast industrial automation market to remain "attractive" in emerging economies but may see a "dampening in demand" in mature economies |
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Alstom Power Inc. / Dow Chemical Co. 13 Feb |
Have signed a joint development and commercialisation agreement for advanced amine scrubbing technology for the removal of CO2 from low pressure flue gases particular to fossil fuel fired power plants and other major industries |
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Cooper Industries 11 Feb |
Subsidiary Cooper Controls (UK) Ltd, has acquired more than 98% of the outstanding shares of the MTL Instruments Group plc ("MTL"), a publicly traded company based in the UK, and will exercise its right under U.K. law to acquire the remaining outstanding shares. The total purchase price is approximately £144.3m |
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Invensys 8 Feb |
Has completed the sale of APV to SPX Corp for £250 million and the sale of the Firex Safety Division to UTC for $44m, both effective on 31 December 2007. APV is a global supplier of process engineering solutions for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. During the year ended 31 March 2007, APV produced operating profit before exceptional items of £16m on revenue of £421m |
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Solutia Inc 6 Feb |
Has filed a complaint in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York against the three banks that had executed a firm commitment to fund a $2bn exit financing package for Solutia, but to date have refused to meet this commitment. These banks are Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Solutia is seeking a court order requiring the banks to meet their commitment and fund Solutia's exit from bankruptcy |
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AxFlow UK Ltd 5 Feb |
To distribute Griswold ANSI centrifugal pumps in UK following the recent acquisition by Wilden Pumps of Griswold Pump Co., a US-based manufacturer of centrifugal pumps. ANSI centrifugal pumps are used in the petroleum, petrochemical, wastewater and paper pulp industries |
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GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies 5 Feb |
Has completed its acquisition of Rheonik, a manufacturer of coriolis mass flowmeters for the oil & gas, process and power industries. Rheonik “is a critical addition to our harsh environment solution portfolio," said Caroline Reda, president & CEO of GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies |
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CompAir / Marshall Branson 30 Jan |
Has bought the assets of distributor Marshall Branson. Previous owner Economatics had gone into administration. Redditch-based CompAir has been supplying compressors to Marshall Branson in Tyne and Wear for more than a quarter of a century. Compare is retaining MB’s seven employees and said all extended warranties will be honoured |
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Micromech 21 Jan |
Launch of new company Energywize to save energy via the use of variable speed drives (VSDs) to ensure the pumps and fans that are commonplace throughout industry and service environments use no more energy than is required to do their job |
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BP 18 Jan |
Series of agreements in China covering strategic integration and commercialisation of clean-coal conversion technologies, wind power generation and acetic acid production. Includes BP/Sinopec deal to add a new 650ktpa acetic acid plant at their YARACO joint venture in Chongqing, China. Based on BP's leading Cativa(r) technology, the acetic acid plant is to have an annual capacity of 650ktpa and is due on stream in 2011 |
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DSM 18 Jan |
Has linked up with Roquette - a French starch and starch-derivatives company - to develop and commercialise the fermentative production of biorenewable succinic acid. The companies plan to start up a demonstration plant for the technology in Lestrem, France, by the end of 2009 |
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Ineos 11 Jan |
To acquire BP’s Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) and Ethyl Acetate (EtAc) businesses. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, comprises 500ktpa of production capacity at the Saltend manufacturing site near Hull, along with the Teesside to Saltend ethylene pipeline. The two facilities had a combined sales revenue in 2007 of around $400m and employ around 40 people |
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John Wood Group PLC 11 Jan |
Has acquired Houston-based Producers Assistance Corp. ("PAC"), a provider of technical operations and maintenance support services to the US onshore oil & gas industry. PAC had revenues of around $33 million for the year ending December 2007, and gross assets of $6.6m as at December 31, 2007. PAC's workforce of more than 300 people services facilities in a number of US states, including Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico |
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Autodesk 10 Jan |
Has completed the acquisition of Hanna Strategies, a software development firm with offices in Shanghai, Atlanta and Pune, India. On 1 Nov 2007, Autodesk announced its intention to acquire Hanna Strategies. Deal supports Autodesk's leadership in creating digital design innovation technology through its software development. The Autodesk development centre in Shanghai will combine the operations of Hanna and Autodesk and will be named the Autodesk China Research and Development Center |
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GX Design Engineers 10 Jan |
Has acquired two divisions of Bridgend-based Industrial Electronic Automation (IEA), allowing the company to expand into new markets. IEA's Environmental and Systems focus on providing monitoring and software solutions for the water industry globally and automation, control and IT solutions for the manufacturing marketplace. GX provides product design and development services from concept to manufacturing for industrial, mechanical, electronic, software and opto-electronics disciplines. The acquisition has secured 14 jobs |
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Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Bayer CropScience AG and Daimler AG 9 Jan |
To jointly explore the potential for a biodiesel industry based on Jatropha - a tropical plant from the Euphorbia family, which could provide an alternative energy feedstock for the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel derived from Jatropha nut kernels has properties similar to those of biofuels obtained from oilseed rapes. It is also characterized by a positive CO2 balance and can thus contribute to protecting the climate |
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Emerson 9 Jan |
Has acquired The Automation Group (TAG), a Houston, Texas-based supplier of process automation/control system engineering, instrument and electrical design, project management services to the refining, petrochemical, chemical and coal power industries. TAG’s capabilities encompass DCSs, safety shutdown systems, PLCs, HMIs, supervisory control and SCADA, process analysers, control networks, control room design and system documentation |
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GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies 4 Jan |
To acquire Rheonik, a Munich, Germany-based manufacturer of Coriolis mass flowmeters for the oil & gas, process and power industries. The meters measure flow from 0.5 grams per minute to 1,500 t/hr. Caroline Reda, president & CEO of GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, said: "This expansion of our product line is consistent with our goal to provide customers with high accuracy sensors for harsh environments." |
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DSM Venturing 20 Dec |
Has made an investment in Novomer Inc. The companies also plan to sign a cooperation agreement. Financial details of the investment will not be disclosed. Novomer is developing a technology platform to use carbon dioxide and other renewable materials to produce performance polymers, plastics and other chemicals |
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Beijer Electronics AB 20 Dec |
Malmo, Sweden-based company has acquired the Westermo group, including the factory building in Stora Sundby, Sweden. Westermo will be an autonomous business unit within the Beijer group focusing on industrial data communications, The Beijer Electronics other two business units are in the automation and HMI sectors. Lars-Ola Lunkvist the recently appointed CEO of the Westermo group will remain with the company |
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Cooper Industries/MTL 19 Dec |
Agreed bid for the MTL Instruments Group that values the company at some £144m. Report |
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Arkema 19 Dec |
Plans to acquire Repsol YPF’s PMMA sheet and block business, which currently operates from manufacturing sites in Bronderslev, Denmark, and Polivar, Italy. It employs 125 people, and achieves annual sales of around € 30m. Christophe de Saint Louvent, group president of Arkema’s PMMA and Methacrylics business, said: “This acquisition represents an excellent growth opportunity in a segment ... It will allow us to boost our leading position in PMMA sheet in Europe.” |
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J P Kenny Engineering Ltd (JPK) part of John Wood Group PLC 17 Dec |
Global agreement with BP International Ltd to provide engineering and project management services for BP's offshore development projects. JPK has already begun work on the first release under the agreement, for the Shah Deniz project in Azerbaijan |
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Yorpower Manufacturing Ltd 17 Dec |
Has completed the acquisition of the diesel and gas maintenance business of Power Plant Services (PPS) on 11 Dec. Power Plant Services has facilities in South Kirkby, Runcorn, Bristol and London and is engaged in all aspects of diesel and gas generator activities, including sales, hire, repair, installation and servicing |
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Dow Chemical Co. / and Petrochemical Industries Co. part of Kuwait Petroleum Corp 13 Dec |
To form a 50/50 joint venture global petrochemicals company. The JV, to be headquartered in the US, will manufacture and market polyethylene, ethyleneamines, ethanolamines, polypropylene, and polycarbonate and is expected to have sales of over $11 bn and employ more than 5,000 people worldwide. Dow announcement |
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LANXESS 13 Dec |
To acquire a 70% stake in Petroflex SA, Brazil for around Euro198m.Stake will include the holdings of the current major shareholders Braskem and Unipar. In 2006 Petroflex had some 1,300 employees and sales of about Euro500m. The group’s 2007 output at its three sites in Brazil – Cabo in Pernambuco State, Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro State and Triunfo in the State of Rio Grande do Sul – will exceed 400 kilotonnes |
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Yokogawa Corp. of America / Wood Group Turbine Control Services Inc. 11 Dec |
Cooperative agreement for turbine and rotating equipment controls solutions. Yokogawa will utilise TCS to provide turbine controls and associated services, while Wood Group, an international energy services provider, will use Yokogawa controls and instrumentation to supplement its offerings. John Bowron, VP, sales & marketing at Yokogawa said: “This agreement greatly increases both companies’ ability to meet their customer’s needs in the power generation, hydrocarbon processing and industrial energy markets where control retrofits include instrumentation, control and safety of rotating machinery |
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Petrobras/Avantium 7 Dec |
Have started a research collaboration to develop new catalysts for emerging technologies within Petrobras, Brazil's largest energy company. Avantium specialises in experimental methodologies that enable scientists to conduct parallel experiments on a very small scale and at a very high speed. This increases productivity and allows scientists to explore and compare very large numbers of experimental conditions and catalytic materials |
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Wonderware 6 Dec |
Induction of Tecnau Transport Division srl. into its top tier of system integrators. The Florence, Italy-based company becomes Wonderware’s 100th ArchestrA-certified system integrator |
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BP/Husky Energy 5 Dec |
Moving into the Canadian oil sands by acquiring a half-share in the Sunrise field in Alberta operated by Husky Energy, with Husky to acquire a half share in BP's Toledo oil refinery in Ohio, US, between them forming an integrated North American oil sands business. The Sunrise oil sands field is due to be sanctioned in 2008 with first production of bitumen in 2012, building to 200,000 bpd of oil by 2020. Bitumen will be piped to Hardisty, Alberta and then transported via existing pipeline networks for refining |
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HARTING 3 Dec |
Co-operation agreement with Nexans, the world market leader in the cable industry. The companies are already producing active systems for Ethernet networks. Deal amalgamates HARTING’s expertise in producing and marketing Ethernet network solutions for industrial automation and the Nexans knowhow in the development of hardware and software for office applications |
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Grundfos Pumps 3 Dec |
Acquisition of the Peerless Pump Co. - a 400-employee, $110m-turnover pump and fire systems maker. Peerless, which is headquartered in Indianapolis and has five other facilities in North America, is the latest and largest acquisition under Grundfos’ current growth strategy. Gives the Danish group high-end products and one of the two most recognised water pump brands currently in the US |
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Technip/Wieland 30 Nov |
Agreement to jointly market innovative enhanced heat transfer technologies for LNG and ethylene plants. Aim is to provide improved energy efficiency through an increase in production capacity, a decrease in energy consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. Primary application will be large shell-and tube-heat exchangers for Technip and third party projects |
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WEG 30 Nov |
Global supply partnership with Clyde Pumps which provides pumps for demanding applications in markets such as power generation, the oil industry, and water treatment. In these sectors WEG’s global supply and support presence is underpinning the reliability of pumping operations with high efficiency electric motors that also help to reduce overall energy consumption and costs |
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MWH 30 Nov |
Global engineering consultancy has acquired the Dutch environmental services company Syncera BV, a medium-sized Dutch company with about 250 employees and offices in Delft, Arnhem and Amsterdam. Its core business is environment and water consultancy and environmental engineering. David Nickols, MWH President of the EMEAI region, said: “MWH intends to increase its market share in continental Europe, focusing initially on North West Europe.” |
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WYKO 30 Nov |
Acquisition of Forco Electrical Services Ltd, an Exeter-based industrial electric motor service and repair company. Will join the WEMS (WYKO Electrical Mechanical Services) division, representig its most southerly facility. Steve Askins, MD of WEMS said: “Forco is a good fit with us given its engineering knowhow. We are looking to recruit more engineers and to invest in the business with an immediate cash injection of £80,000 to buy new equipment |
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AMEC 27 Nov |
Has acquired Hydrosphere Resource Consultants Inc. for $2.9m to complement AMEC's rapidly growing water resources practice. Hydrosphere is a 27-employee water resources planning and management company based in Boulder, Colorado, and focused management of surface water and groundwater supply assets |
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Steinmeyer UK Ltd 27 Nov |
One year after founding a subsidiary in the UK, ballscrew manufacturer August Steinmeyer GmbH & Co. KG has now officially formed its sister company Steinmeyer UK Ltd. Alexander Beck, international sales manager and co-owner of August Steinmeyer GmbH & Co. KG, has been appointed managing director and George Partington sales director of Steinmeyer UK |
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Kelda, owner of Yorkshire Water 26 Nov |
To be acquired by Saltaire Water, a consortium including Citigroup Alternative Investments LLC (CII), GIC Special Investments Pte Ltd, Infracapital Partners LP and HSBC Bank plc. The deal, which is expected to be completed early in the New Year, values the UK water and wastewater services group at around £3bn |
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Shell/ExxonMobil |
To sell the transport business of their German joint venture BEB Erdgas und Erdoel GmbH (BEB) including the technical operations currently provided by ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH to NV Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie). Subject to regulatory approvals it is expected that the transaction will be closed in 2008 |
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22 Nov |
Has joined Power.org, an open and collaborative organisation dedicated to developing and promoting Power Architecture technology as the preferred open standard platform for the electronics industry. Power Architecture technology, an instruction set architecture prevalent in microprocessors, forms an enhanced platform for collaborative hardware and software innovation between leading technology companies such as Freescale Semiconductor, IBM, Xilinx and NI |
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Royal Dutch Shell |
Has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Regal Petroleum plc, to acquire a 51% interest in Regal Petroleum (Jersey) Ltd, part of Regal Petroleum plc indirectly holding the licences for the Mekhediviska-Golotvschinska and Svyrydivske gas fields in Ukraine. Under the MOU, Shell would become the operator of the gas fields in the Dniepr Donetsk sedimentary basin where most of Ukraine's gas and condensate production is located |
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19 Nov |
Has completed the acquisition of the Lummus Global business from ABB. Philip Asherman, president and CEO, said: "This acquisition is transformational for CB&I. Lummus, which brings world-class process technology and a complementary EPC business, is a great fit and a welcome addition to our company. The acquisition broadens our range of capabilities and our geographic base, and the addition of more than 3,000 talented and experienced employees gives us a tremendous strategic advantage in responding to the growing demand for energy infrastructure around the globe. |
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16 Nov |
To acquire IMV Corp. www.imvprojects.com for an initial sum of $140m, with three further cash payments due in the period to 2014 based on its future performance. IMV, owned by its management and employees, provides engineering, procurement and construction management (“EPCM”) services to the Canadian oil and gas exploration and production sector, and is a market leader in EPCM services for in-situ oil sands developments |
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Deritend Group 15 Nov |
Becomes Deritend Industries, the central management and administration body for the UK group of commercial repair and maintenance support companies. Deritend Industries became official on 1 Sept 2007. Changes are part of a growth plan being implemented by the current management team and follow the recent purchase of UK gearbox supply and repair specialist, RMB Engineering |
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15 Nov |
Legal and financial closing of the transaction recently announced to sell Sartorius Bearing Technology GmbH to Smiths Group. After receiving clearance by the German antitrust authorities, the UK technology group has retroactively purchased the shares in Sartorius Bearing Technology GmbH, effective 1 Sept |
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13 Nov |
To divest its share in a 12-year joint venture with BASF AG, which produces polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin in Schwarzheide, Germany. As part of this divestiture, SABIC Innovative Plastics will ensure continuity of supply for European customers through a contract to purchase PBT resin from BASF for a defined period of time. Transfer is expected by 31 Dec |
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ShellCRI/CriterionInc./Flowserve |
Agreement with CRI/Criterion Inc. to enable the sale and delivery of multiple Avantium Flowrence systems. CRI/Criterion, a catalyst technology company within the Royal Dutch Shell group, is a part of a group of affiliated companies that provide catalysts, process technologies and catalyst services for a wide range of chemical and refinery applications. Under the agreement Avantium will sell and deliver Flowrence Research platforms to CRI/Criterion or its affiliates to enhance its research capabilities |
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25 Oct |
To acquire Extech Instruments Corp., a US supplier of test and measurement equipment for $40 million cash. Waltham, Massachusetts-based Extech reported 2006 sales of $39.2 million. FLIR said the addition of Extech will expand its access to key distribution channels for its emerging low-price thermography products and provide access to low-cost manufacturing in Asia. The transaction is subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to close in Q4 |
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BASF AG/ OAO Gazprom 25 Oct |
Have largely completed their asset swap by legal transferring their respective shareholdings. BASF’s wholly-owned subsidiary Wintershall has received a shareholding of 25% less one share in OAO Severneftegazprom (SNGP), which holds the license to the Yuzhno Russkoye natural gas field in Western Siberia. In addition, Wintershall has received a preferred share without voting right in OAO Severneftegazprom. This will give BASF an interest of 35% in the economic rewards of SNGP. In return, OAO Gazprom has increased its shareholding in the joint natural gas trading company WINGAS GmbH to 50% less one share from previously 35% |
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25 Oct |
Motion control systems company Delta Tau has established a partnership with Q-Sys, a designer and manufacturer of non-standard precision motion and positioning systems, which has recently been formed by a small group of motion control experts |
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7Nov |
Cooperation agreement to establish a compressor dry gas seal retrofit program. The agreement will provide a wide range of compressor overhaul and mechanical seal upgrade solutions to the oil & gas market. Agreement to provide one-stop shop for installation, commissioning, repair, service and related auxiliary equipment |
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7 Nov |
Acquisition of Opti-Flow as part of Hilden, Germany-based company’s strategy to expand its energy and compressed air operations into the UK. David Howells, ultra.air Group Ltd UK MD said the deal “allows us to merge the current energy competencies and market experience we have created in the UK as Opti-Flow, with an established European-wide service and product portfolio |
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7 Nov |
Completed acquisition of BlueTree Wireless Data, a supplier of machine-to-machine (M2M) cellular data products. SIXNET, a manufacturer of process automation, Ethernet connectivity and PSTN (landline) modem products, said the acquisition positions it with a complete and flexible suite of Ethernet, fiber optic and wireless cellular end-to-end products for industrial and M2M companies worldwide |
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Voith Industrial Services 7 Nov |
Acquires SIS Skandinavisk Industriservice AS, Ringsted, Denmark. “With this acquisition we are strengthening our position in the Scandinavian market and strategically expanding our competencies in the process industry,” says Markus Glaser-Gallion, member of the management board of Voith Industrial Services Holding GmbH. SIS provides technical services for the petrochemical and chemical industry as well as for power plants in Scandinavia. The company has 160 employees and a turnover of over Euro32m |
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Yokogawa Electric Corp. 1 Nov |
Has entered into a global agreement to provide Main Automation Contractor services for BP's Exploration and Production Segment. Yokogawa product and service solutions are to be provided under its VigilantPlant initiative as part of BP’s Field of the Future programme to improve its operating performance. “We chose Yokogawa based on BP's E&P segment strategy in the major projects area with the overall objective of improving BP's performance,” said Neil Shaw, E&P Technology Vice President of Projects & Engineering |
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1 Nov |
To buy Pavilion Technologies, Inc, a Houston, Texas-based supplier of advanced process control, production optimisation and environmental compliance solutions for process and hybrid industries. Pavilion serves major customers in consumer products, oil & gas, chemicals and other process industries. Management team and employees will become part of Rockwell Automation’s Architecture & Software segment with software products to be integrated into the Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk integrated production and performance suite, as well as the Logix control platform |
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Greenstar UK 1 Nov |
Has acquired Verdant Group Plc, which provides refuse collection, recycling and other associated services under long term contracts to 19 local authorities, based mainly in the South East. Based in Sevenoaks, Kent, Verdant operates from 33 sites and collects over 100,000 tonnes of recyclable materials per annum. Forecasted revenue for the 12 months to 31 Oct 2007 is around £45m |
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Masterfil 29 Oct |
Filling and capping lines maker has been acquired by the Adelphi Group and have relocated to the Adelphi headquarters in West Sussex, near Gatwick airport. Group chairman, Stephen Holroyd, said “ Masterfil’s range of machines handling liquids and creams in volumes 200ml to 5 litres and the IBC drum and weigh fillers are a perfect fit for Adelphi, extending our existing range of semi-automatic, monobloc and specialist filling machines.” |
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Bosch Rexroth Ltd 26 Oct |
Has announced the acquisition of Oil Control Ltd, a Coventry-based manufacturer and distributor of high quality hydraulic valves, power packs, pressure, flow and motion control valves, and electrical solenoid valves. The trade and business of Oil Control will operate as part of Bosch Rexroth’s existing Hydraulics division, with the Coventry operation to be maintained and developed with the goal of providing the highest level of service to customers |
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17 Oct |
To set up a consortium to make a cash bid for Scottish & Newcastle plc. Under the plan, Heineken said it would take over S&N’s business in the UK and other European markets with Carlsberg to acquire S&N's interest in BBH, France and Greece. “To date no formal approach has been made to Scottish & Newcastle and there can be no certainty that an offer for Scottish & Newcastle will ultimately be forthcoming. A further announcement will be made in due course.” |
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Avantium/BP 16 Oct |
Avantium, an Amsterdam-based technology company servicing the oil, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries, announces three-year extension of the strategic research collaboration with BP. Covers strategic research collaboration in the area of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), with the Dutch firm to apply its high-throughput R&D technology, services and modeling capabilities |
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15 Oct |
Filed a consensual plan of reorganization under US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection plan with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. “This consensual plan of reorganization, which is supported by all of the major constituents in our case, will facilitate Solutia's emergence from Chapter 11 as a financially healthy company,” said Jeffry Quinn, chairman, president and CEO |
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15 Oct |
Sells hydrodynamic bearings business, Sartorius Bearing Technology GmbH (SBT), to Smiths Group for around Euro20m. SBT is to be integrated into the John Crane business of Smiths, which focuses on the design and manufacture of seals and will take on SBT’s 100-strong workforce at its Goettingen, Germany site. SBT has annual sales of around Euro15m. Its bearings are used in the energy sector and plant and system engineering field mainly in high-speed applications, such as turbines, compressors and industrial pumps |
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15 Oct |
Acquisition of M & B Waste Management, the largest independent recycling and waste management operator in Leeds/Bradford and West Yorkshire. M & B Haulage and Waste Paper Company, which employs 70 people, predominately recovers and recycles pre and post consumer paper and cardboard products, while also operating a waste collection and recycling service to the Industrial and Commercial sector |
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Stadco Cooling / Mayfield Engineering Ltd 11 Oct |
Strategic alliance between Stadco Cooling, Shrewsbury, a supplier of industrial water cooling systems and Mayfield Engineering Ltd of Washington, a Tyne & Wear-based supplier of turnkey packages, engineering pipework and heavy equipment moving services to UK industry. “We have set up a strategic alliance with Mayfield Engineering Ltd to be able to deliver a full turnkey solution for our customers based in the North, “ said Dave Watson, Stadco Cooling general manager |
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Automation Design and Installation Ltd / ABB 11 Oct |
Electrical engineering company ADI, based in Birmingham, has partnered with ABB, in a strategic move to expand its automation solutions capabilities. ADI will be provided with sales, marketing, technical, application and service support as well as software training for all employees under the ABB Global Partner Program. Alan Spreckley, channel partner manager for ABB Robotics said: “ADI is well-established in the engineering sector, delivering good service across a range of industries. By working with ADI we can ensure that its customers get the most suitable robotic solutions for their needs, and provide the company with the opportunities to develop and expand its own brand.” |
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Zeppelin / Chronos Richardson 11 Oct |
Zeppelin’s holding company Zeppelin Silos & Systems GmbH of Friedrichshafen, Germany has completed its acquisition of Chronos Richardson’s Materials Processing Systems [MPS] division located in Nottingham, UK and has established a new subsidiary at Nottingham. The MPS unit is being integrated into the new subsidiary, which will be responsible for servicing the UK’s dry bulk materials conveying & storage sector and UK-based engineering companies for EPC contracts worldwide. The subsidiary will sell Zeppelin products to the chemical, mineral, tyre & technical rubber, plastic producer/processor and other bulk solids sectors and provide engineering, commissioning and service support. |
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G24 Innovations Limited (G24i) / BASF 11 Oct |
Launch joint agreement to develop ionic liquids and formulations that further improve both performance and efficiency of G24i’s solar cells using a proprietary dye-sensitized thin film technology. Cardiff, Wales-based G24i’s photovoltaic cells are sensitive to far more of the visible spectrum of light than conventional solar cells, so that all sorts of light sources can be used to generate power, even at relatively low levels of light intensity. BASF manufactures ionic liquids - salts which are liquid below 100°C – that are suitable for use across a broad range of different applications ranging from processing chemicals and polymers, to engineering liquids like hydraulic liquids or lubricants, to uses in electro-chemistry |
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10 Oct |
Provider of open source infrastructure and integration software has entered a technology partnership with Codel, a supplier of digital data authentication technology. Codel has created different adaptors for Mule and these are now available for immediate download from the MuleForge, enabling easier real-time connectivity of enterprise applications to the Mule enterprise service bus. |
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9 Oct |
Servo and motion control specialist, has been appointed a 'System Integrator' by Festo, which is growing its presence in the electrical drives and controls market. Festo will provide Stockport-based Motor Technology with marketing and pre-sales support, as well as technical training, for the company's growing range of electrical automation products |
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2 Oct |
Has recently acquired Seemage to enable Dassault to provide innovative solutions addressing the growing demand of its customers in the diversified area of product documentation. “This marks another major step towards our mission to democratize 3D product-related data and exploit 3D as a universal media. We are delighted to welcome the team from Seemage an innovative start-up founded by Eric Piccuezzu and James Dugalais, on board,” said Bernard Charlès, president and CEO, Dassault Systèmes |
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20 Sept |
Nanotechnology Measurement Partnership with the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA to promote rapid commercialization of discoveries in nanosystems. The partnership is designed to support research collaboration in the pursuit of nanotechnology and nanoscience solutions for the semiconductor industry’s next generation instrumentation and measurement requirements |
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17 Sept |
Has sold its food retail weighing business, Avery Berkel, to ITW Inc. Avery Weigh-Tronix CEO Jerry Bowe said: “This sale allows Avery Weigh-Tronix, which designs, manufactures, sells and services industrial scales, to better focus on its core customers. We can also continue to push into advanced Industrial weighing technologies, software and solutions.” The demerger will affect about 300 people in the UK and a further 150 worldwide, all of whom officially joined the new company |
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Foster Wheeler North America Corp. / Praxair Inc. 17 Sept |
Have signed a multi-year agreement to jointly pursue demonstration projects incorporating clean coal technologies and integrated oxy-coal combustion systems into coal-fired electric generating plants to facilitate capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide. Target is to enable a coal-fired generating plant to reduce carbon dioxide stack emissions by over 90%. FW will develop and supply steam generators using oxy-coal combustion technology. Praxair will provide the upstream oxygen-supply facilities, applying its design, engineering and construction expertise in building large cryogenic air-separation plants that produce the large volumes of oxygen necessary for clean-coal projects. Praxair also will provide the downstream CO2 capture and gas-processing technologies and equipment |
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17 Sept |
Acquisition by its Jeffrey Specialty Equipment Corp. subsidiary of privately-held Rader Companies Inc. for around $16m. Rader of Alpharetta, Georgia, manufactures and markets pneumatic conveying systems, screening equipment, engineered storage and reclaim systems and truck dumpers for processing bark and wood chips for the global pulp and paper and forest products industries |
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12 Sept |
Cooperation with the Wood Group Light Industrial Turbines Division to establish a compressor dry gas seal retrofit program. This agreement will provide for a wide range of compressor overhaul and mechanical seal upgrade solutions to the oil and gas marketplace |
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12 Sept |
Takes over 76% of the stock of the Zeta Group, located in Tobelbad, near Graz, Austria, to expand its activities in the pharmaceutical and life-science sectors. Focused on the Central European market, with locations in Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, Zeta supplies production systems and process equipment for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, employs 240 and posted 2006 sales of about Euro40 million. Commenting on the takeover, Christ CEO Dr. Karl Michael Millauer said: “We are now the only manufacturer who can supply the entire process chain, including a higher-level automation system, for the biopharmaceutical industry, and in particular the sector of liquid processes.” |
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10 Sept |
Has acquired Pyrotemp Service Ltd to expand its presence in the South African industrial temperature measurement market. Pyrotemp, a long-time 15-employee business partner of Endress+Hauser, produces and assembles temperature sensors for the primaries branch in South Africa |
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6 Sept |
Has formed a clean energy strategic partnership with Imperial College London to share leading-edge developments in process engineering, particularly those related to clean energy production at ICL's Dept of Chemical Engineering. The partners together with Research Councils UK, FWEL chairman and CEO Steve Davies said: “The capture and management of carbon will be an issue for many of our clients over the coming years and our partnership with Imperial College will keep us at the forefront of developments in clean energy technologies. In turn, input from the hydrocarbon industry will provide invaluable guidance for the research and teaching efforts at Imperial College.” |
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5 Sept |
Agreement to purchase Italy’s Officine Meccaniche Industriali srl (OMI) to create “a fully comprehensive offering” for the global air solutions market. OMI is a supplier of compressed-air treatment equipment. The northeast Italy-based company develops and manufactures refrigerated and adsorption air dryers, filters, condensation management products, heat exchangers, chillers, and system controllers for industrial compressed air systems. |
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Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) 31 Aug |
Has completed its $11.6bn purchase of GE Plastics from General Electric. The former GE unit is now SABIC Innovative Plastics, a new SABIC business focused on thermoplastics and engineering plastics for the automotive, electronics, healthcare, and construction sectors. Deal follows earlier acquisitions of DSM and Huntsman’s petrochemicals businesses in Europe Brian Gladden has been appointed CEO of SABIC Innovative Plastics |
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30 Aug |
To revise its entire supply chain partnership strategy in response to market growth. Starting in Scotland, where it is renegotiating previously exclusive stockist/distributor arrangement and are identifying and appointing new drives partners to serve the Scottish market |
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29 Aug |
Has signed an exclusive distribution agreement for England and Scotland with Routeco plc, a UK based distributor of industrial control and automation products |
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29 Aug |
Management buyout deal at Sheffield manufacturer of specialist lifting equipment for heavy industrial and transport companies. Mechan has been designing, fabricating and installing cranes and other heavy-lifting gear for UK industrial customers since 1969, and is a major supplier to the railway industry world-wide. The MBO team was headed by Mechan’s business development director Richard Carr, who becomes MD and is an equal shareholder with financial director Zahir Altaf, sales director Graham Cofield and technical director Christian Fletcher. Mechan said it expects to relocate from its current premises by 2009 |
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27 Aug |
Is to acquire BlueTree Wireless Data., a Canada-based developer and manufacturer of wireless modems and software solutions for commercial and industrial applications. SIXNET CEO Steve Schoenberg said we will now be able “to offer our customers wireless solutions to complement the Industrial Ethernet and fiber optic solutions that SIXNET already offers.” |
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21 Aug |
Has recently signed up FutureCarbon GmbH as a cooperation partner for its Baytubes carbon nanotubes activities. The Bayreuth-based technology company will use Baytubes and graphite materials to manufacture aqueous nano dispersions using a new dispersion process for which a patent has been filed |
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Autodesk 21 Aug |
Has completed its acquisition of technology and product assets of Opticore from Design Communication, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The acquisition delivers upon the company’s strategy to drive mass adoption of 3D among customers in key industries such as automotive and consumer products, by continually enhancing its digital prototyping technology, said Autodesk |
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20 Aug |
To acquire Flexible Hose Supplies (FHS) in the UK. Deal is part of strategy to have a strong market share for its core activities in regions where the group has its own branch network. With 45 employees and annual sales of £5.1m, FHS manufactures bespoke hose assemblies, hose, tubing, ductings and fittings at UK sites in Slough, Northampton and Bolton. ERIKS UK plans to develop a technology centre for specialist and industrial hoses, providing know-how directly to OEM and MRO customers and serving the branches of WYKO www.wyko.co.uk, which it acquired last November |
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GE Fanuc Automation Solutions 16 Aug |
Has entered into a “solution provider, go-to-market“ deal with Wipro Technologies, a global IT services business. The two companies aim to offer production management services to manufacturers in the automotive, pharma, food & beverage and consumer packaged goods industries, worldwide. The agreement covers services, point solution development and joint go-to-market activities based on Wipro’s knowledge of supply chain, plant floor operations, enterprise technologies and business processes and GE Fanuc’s Proficy products |
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REACH IT 15 Aug |
A new partnership with Brussels-based firm TRASYS to offer training on the official REACH software in the UK. |
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12 Aug |
To acquire Imperial Chemical Industries PLC in a deal which values the UK group at around £8bn. In a linked move, the Dutch group has agreed to sell on National Starch -- comprising ICI’s Adhesives and Electronic Materials divisions -- to Henkel for £2.7bn |
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BASF Corp. |
Has signed a cooperation agreement with CogniTek Management Systems Inc. to examine whether the combined use of supercritical carbon dioxide and ionic liquids gives rise to particularly efficient ways of using low temperature heat sources for power generation. The goal is a combined power generation system with integral heating and cooling co-products capable of saving substantial amounts of energy. CogniTek offers materials expertise in the conversion of nano-scale materials into enhanced fluids, phase change materials, and polymeric composites into respectively nano-fluids, nano-PCMs and nano-composites. |
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Royal Dutch Shell |
Has agreed $700 million offer from Basell for the sale of the Shell Berre-l'Etang refinery site complex and associated infrastructure and businesses. Deal due to be concluded in early 2008. Shell will continue to serve its customers in France in a range of businesses including retail, commercial road transport, lubricants (including Marine Lubricants), LPG, aviation and bitumen |
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BP 1 Aug |
BP and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Clean Energy Commercialization Centre (CECC) to accelerate the development in China of clean coal conversion technologies |
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Honeywell 1 Aug |
Has completed the acquisition of Enraf Holding BV, a division of privately held Delft Instruments, based in Delft, Netherlands in a deal valued at approximately $260 million |
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Keithley Instruments |
Acquisition of Lyocom Inc., a Richfield, Ohio-based private company, which develops and sells software algorithms used for generating and analyzing complex digital waveforms. Keithley currently offers measurement capabilities for developers and manufacturers of wireless devices and products, so this technology extends its solutions to include WiMAX, MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), and WLAN test applications |
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MTL Instruments Group plc 26 July |
Has acquired Ocean Technical Systems Ltd, a UK-based specialist in SCADA solutions for the oil & gas industries, for £3.0m in cash. OTS systems for the automation of the berthing, loading and unloading of oil tankers and oil production vessels FPSOs, unmanned wellhead production platforms and pipeline monitoring complements MTL’s hazardous area control and instrumentation equipment |
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AMEC plc 24 July |
Acquires a 60% interest in Batys Kazakhstan Kuat Service Ltd ('BKKS'), a Kazakh oilfield services partnership, from Kinlee SA for £5m cash. BKKS, based in Aksai in northwest Kazakhstan, generated 2006 sales of £6m (US$12m). "We plan to become a leader in the provision of services to Kazakhstan's growing oil and gas industry," said Neil Bruce, COO of AMEC's Natural Resources business |
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Air Liquide 20 July |
Finalised its Euro200m acquisition of the engineering firm Lurgi, after obtaining approval from relevant competition authorities. Lurgi will broaden the technology portfolio of Air Liquide’s Engineering Division, particularly in hydrogen and synthetic gas production processes, in biofuels (bio-ethanol and bio-diesel) and methanol and give Air Liquide a foothold in the coal-to-liquid and coal-to-chemicals markets | <
