Drives and Controls World News http://drives.co.uk/worldfeed.asp The Latest Drives & Controls World news <![CDATA[Parker buys Legris, Origa and Hargraves, adding $500m to sales]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2415 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2415

Parker Hannifin has acquired three pneumatics and actuator companies – Legris, Origa and Hargraves Technology – whose total sales approach $500m. Parker says the acquisitions reflect its goal of diversifying its operations internationally, extending and complementing its existing technologies, and taking advantage of opportunities in less cyclical end-markets, such as life sciences. It adds that it is "remaining focused on executing its plans for growth throughout the current economic turbulence".

]]> <![CDATA[€36m deal gives Pfaff-silberblau a new US owner]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2403 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2403

The US-based Columbus McKinnon Corporation has acquired the German actuator and materials-handling manufacturer Pfaff- silberblau for €36m in cash from the private equity firm, EQT Opportunity Fund, which has held an 85% stake in Pfaff-silberblau since 2006. Columbus McKinnon plans to keep the Pfaff-silberblau brand, and the current management will continue to run the business.

]]> <![CDATA[Dutchi deal boosts Regal Beloit’s European presence]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2401 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2401

The US motor manufacturer Regal Beloit is buying the Netherlands-based motor distributor, Dutchi Motors, for around $34m in cash and the assumption of $3.2m in liabilities. The deal follows Regal Beloit’s $27.6m purchase earlier this year of the Chinese motor-maker Hwada, which is a key supplier to Dutchi.

]]> <![CDATA[Rockwell restructures and cuts 3% of jobs]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2402 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2402

Rockwell Automation is cutting is global workforce by 3% – about 600 people – and restructuring its organisation, "to better align resources with growth opportunities and reduce costs in light of current and anticipated market conditions".

]]> <![CDATA[Satcon sells Magmotor business to US Hybrid]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2405 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2405

Satcon Technology has sold its Magmotor motor division, located in Massachusetts, to US Hybrid, a California-based provider of integrated power conversion components for electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.

]]> <![CDATA[Motion control market heads for $8bn]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2400 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2400

The global market for general motional control (GMC) equipment is likely to expand at 6.7% a year over the coming five years, rising from nearly $6bn in 2007 to more than $8.2bn in 2012, according to a new study from the ARC Advisory Group. Until recently, the market has been driven by "robust" investments by manufacturers, the report says, but future growth will be slower.

]]> <![CDATA[ABB achieves an Ex certification first]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2399 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2399

ABB says it is the world’s first motor manufacturer to receive certification for its qualification programme for facilities that service hazardous area motors. The certificate, granted by the French body, BV-LCIE, allows ABB to issue certificates of authorisation to Ex workshops or repair facilities that comply with its qualification programme, which meets the requirements of IEC/EN 60079-19 and ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.

]]> <![CDATA[Nidec moves into industrial motors with Fuji JV]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2398 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2398

Nidec, the world’s largest manufacturer of motors for computer hard drives, is moving into the industrial market by taking a 60% stake in Fuji Electric’s compact industrial motors business. It has also launched a bid for a majority stake in another Japanese motor-maker, Toyo Denki Seizo.

]]> <![CDATA[Siemens sells machine vision business to Microscan for $11.5m ]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2397 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2397

Siemens has sold its US-based machine vision business, just three years after it bought the former RSVI Acuity CiMatrix, located in New Hampshire. The new owner is Microscan, the Washington-based designer and manufacturer of precision data acquisition and controls, which has bought the operation for $11.5m. It will use the business to expand its existing vision and smart camera portfolio.

]]> <![CDATA[China accounts for 30% of materials-handling growth]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2396 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2396

The global market for materials-handling equipment and systems is expected to grow by 5% per year until 2012, when it will be worth $133.5bn. According to the US market analyst Freedonia, this growth will be driven by demand from the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, with China alone accounting for 30% of the total growth in demand.

]]>