The Profibus Association of Australia (PAA) has responded proactively to an expected spike in demand for certified Profibus training by scheduling a new series of courses in May and November 2011 to be conducted by leading international Profibus trainer Andy Verwer.

SEW-Eurodrive has released an updated 2011 calendar for its nationwide motor and drive technology training program, known as DriveAcademy.

Rockwell Automation has appointed Michael Loke to the position of Industry Manager, Sustainability.

Industrial Video and Control (IVC), a supplier of cameras and video systems for industrial, military and commercial applications, has announced the acquisition of Longwatch, a developer of video management software for industrial automation and process control applications.

RMIT University researchers have become the first to fabricate batches of nanoscale sensors on the tips of optical fibres.

Siemens PLM Software and ProSTEP iViP have initiated the formal process to establish the JT data format as an ISO standard for lightweight 3D data.

Sullair's new national service centre has been handling 300 calls per day since opening in November.

Turck Australia has announced a direct sales structure for Australia.

The Han-Yellock connector has taken the iF product design award 2011.

The Fieldbus Foundation has made updated device development solutions for its FOUNDATION Fieldbus for Safety Instrumented Functions (FF-SIF) technology available.

ABB and Baldor Electric Company have agreed that ABB will acquire Baldor in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$4.2 billion, including $1.1 billion of net debt.

Belden expands its networking and RF hardware range.

Turck Australia has announced it will serve as the authorised distributor of Bihl+Wiedemann interface products in Australia.

Alcoa of Australia's Bill Knight has taken out top honours at the 7th Annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards in Sydney. The awards aim to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in the Australian mining industry. Knight won Mine Manager of the Year which awards a mine manager or general manager who has led a team to improve productivity, safety, environmental standards and/or reached notable milestones.

ABB has made a strategic investment in wind sensing technology company Pentalum Technologies.