GE Industrial Systems, a unit of the General Electric, has acquired International Fiber Systems, a provider of advanced, digital fibre optic transmission products and systems for electronic security and intelligent transportation systems.

Promise, an international R&D project aimed at ensuring sustainable recyclability for electrical and electronic products has been launched under the IMS (Intelligent Manufacturing Systems) program.

Industry trials are about to get under way for a CSIRO fully-automated, inline rheometer to be used in the production of paints and inks, and foods such as sauces and edible oils.

Recent events in the Australian manufacturing sector have raised the focus upon end-to-end quality assurance requirements and how the transparency of plant floor operations affects boardroom decision-making.

Four key Asia Pacific air freight carriers have launched an Internet-based cargo portal.

Sandvik is intensifying its focus on high value-added products. As part of this effort, the organisational structure within the Sandvik Specialty Steels business area has changed. In line with the ongoing shift in the business area's focus, it has changed the name to Sandvik Materials Technologies.

ABB has announced the opening of a new variable speed drive production line in Finland.

The Automatic Data Capture Association (ADCA), which are a leading reference source for automatic data capture technology in Australia, has announced that a new automatic data capture technology exhibition will be launched in Melbourne during September.

After successful 2002 seasons in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, Rockwell Automation Australia's travelling trade show and seminar series, Complete Automation on the Move, is coming to Sydney and Perth in 2003. The two-day free event will be held on May 7-8 at the Sydney Showgrounds at Homebush (Southee Pavilion), and on June 4-5 at the Burswood Convention Centre in Perth.

The Fieldbus Foundation has announced that China's state-owned oil company, CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), and Shell Petrochemicals Company Ltd, will use its technology, Foundation fieldbus, for automation of a new petrochemical complex. The project will be one of the largest Foundation fieldbus installations in the world, interconnecting more than 12,000 fieldbus devices.

High school graduates may be crossing their fingers over 2003 UAC Engineering placements, but recent survey results indicate industry experience is the number one factor in securing a job.

Outokumpu Technology has begun work on a contract won against worldwide competition for 10 high-rate thickeners for the Rio Tuba laterite nickel and cobalt mineral processing plant in the Philippines.

ABB, the global power and automation technology group, and BASF AG, a world leading chemical company, signed an agreement for the supply of DCS-Systems to BASF facilities worldwide.

Control Equipment Pty Ltd has been appointed as the sole Australian agent for the Riken Keiki brand of gas detection equipment.

Schneider sold its nuclear business, based in Grenoble, France, to Data Systems and Solutions, a joint venture formed in 1999 between Rolls Royce in the UK and Science Applications International Corporation in theUS.