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June 23, 2006

Women’s Automotive Association International to Support Lyn St. James Foundation with Scholarship

Danica Patrick, Deborah Renshaw and Erin Crocker graduates of the Lyn St. James driver development program are featured at August 3, 2006 "Women in the Winner's Circle."

(PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- Join us in celebrating the women of motor sports at the "Women in the Winner Circle" luncheon in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 3rd, 2006. We will be honoring young up coming female race car drivers with a "Women in Motor Sports" scholarship, in conjunction with the Lyn St. James Foundation, www.lynstjames.com . Ford Executive Vice President and NASCAR fan Anne Stevens will be the main speaker. Danica Patrick, Deborah Renshaw and Erin Crocker are all graduates of the Lyn St. James driver development program. Female drivers from several racing series will be represented along with top automotive industry and motor sports executives.

The Lyn St. James Driver Development Program
Established in 1994 Program, is the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind. The four-day training courses include instruction in vehicle dynamics, on-track driving at Indianapolis Raceway Park and Whiteland Raceway, instruction and debriefings by mechanics, mental and physical preparation, testing and training provided by Human Performance International, public speaking and media training, seminars on the business of racing, and presentations by leaders in various areas of motor sports.

The Lyn St. James Foundation remains dedicated to continuing to train, advocate, and educate for diversity in racing until "opportunity" and "diversity" are no longer concerns -- they're just taken for granted.

"The Women's Automotive Association 'Women in Motor Sports' scholarship will be presented at this event in honor of Deborah Renshaw, the highest ranked female NASCAR professional driver," said Jody DeVere, President of the Women's Automotive Association International. "Deborah Renshaw helped pave the track for many young up and coming female race car drivers in side by side racing series, (ARCA, Craftsman Truck Series, Busch Gran National), which continues to be dominated by male drivers. " Devere continues, "While NASCAR as made some progress with thier driver diversity program, NASCAR still remains the most difficult racing series for female drivers to reach the top. The Women's Automotive Association supports female race car drivers and encourages corporate America to embrace these young female drivers with substantial sponsorship investment to provide these talented drivers the opportunity to race with top flight team owners and equipment. Providing equal opportunities for female drivers to get into the 'winners circle' at NASCAR events and other top racing series is a passionate issue for myself personally and many in our membership."

"My nomination and support as a board member of the Automotive Hall of Fame weighed heavily on the recent induction of legendary race car driver Shirley Muldowney. I am thrilled to finally see this much needed public recognition of women racing lengends which will help young female drivers to be taken seriously and get supported with the substantial corporate sponsorships needed to be competitive," stated Lorraine Schultz, Founder and CEO of the Women's Automotive Association International. "The WAAI is dedicated to helping these young female racers succeed through WAAI scholarships and our "Women in Motor Sports" initiatives."

For details and Women's Automotive Association International sponsorship opportunities go to:

http://www.waai.com/calendar.asp

The Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI) founded in 1995, is a non-profit, professional society comprised of women who are key players in all aspects of the automotive industry. Through your generous support you will insure that our scholarship fund and funding for our key initiatives continues to grow. To date over 30 scholarships have been awarded to deserving young women seeking careers in the automotive industry. Through the WAAI efforts the following women have been awarded honors at our annual events, to highlight women who have reached the highest level of professional achievement and leadership in the automotive industry.

WAAI programs and initiatives supported by becoming a corporate partner in 2006:

* We provide networking opportunities for automotive women and award high achieving women at our "Spirit of Leadership" and Professional Achievement" award events each year.

* We provide scholarships for students who are pursuing their education toward an automotive-related career.

* We support up and coming women race car drivers with our "Women in Racing" program and provide scholarships to the Lyn St James Foundation for women to participate in the Lyn St James Driver Development Program. www.lynstjames.com

* Our student membership, based out of the Michigan campus of Northwood University, coordinates visits to secondary schools to educate them on potential career opportunities in automotive and provides speakers to the student members who speak on automotive career options.

* We support Women's Colon Cancer Research ( We support the www.iefoundation.org) and the Women's National Colon Cancer Research Fund.

* We support diversity and are partnered with www.onwheelsinc.com, a multicultural multimedia company that publishes African Americans On Wheels. Asians On Wheels and Latinos On Wheels magazines, produces The Urban Wheel Awards, The Urban Wheel Dealer Awards and distributes OWNS; On Wheels News Service, which supplies free editorial to a network of ethnic newspapers across the country. On Wheels, Incorporated is also the parent organization of the Edward Davis Education Foundation.

For information on joining the Women's Automotive Association International, please visit:
http://www.waai.com/membership.asp or contact us at 248-646-5250
email : lhswaai @ aol.com

http://www.askpatty.com and http://www.carsmagazine.com are 2006 corporate sponsors of the Women's Automotive Association International.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

Massachusetts High School Student Named Winner in Plan For The Future(SM) Competition

$23,000 in prizes were awarded to 11 high school and college entrepreneurs by BizFilings and the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation.

(PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Young Entrepreneur Foundation and BizFilings named 11 winners in the inaugural Plan For The Future(SM) youth business plan competition. The competition, which is designed to enhance and encourage entrepreneurial skills for America’s youth, accepted entries from high school and college students from across the country. All applicants submitted detailed and viable business plans, which included market analysis, sales strategies and financial planning.

The grand prize winner is Jonathan "Jon" Fischer, a 17-year-old from Lunenburg, Mass., who just finished his junior year of high school. Fischer won $7,500 in seed money for his business, Speed-Demon.

Speed-Demon (http://www.speed-demon.org) is a high-tech startup that has developed a product which allows parents to monitor the driving habits of their teenagers. A portable box mounted on a car dashboard will record speed and GPS data. Once parents remove the device, they can plug it into a PC loaded with Speed-Demon software, which uses Google’s map technology, and see what roads their teenager traveled and at what speeds.

Speed-Demon was first developed by Jon for a state science fair and he currently has a patent pending. Once launched, the product is expected to cost $149. While the main goal of the company is to be profitable, a secondary purpose is to spark a dialog between parents and their teenagers about safe driving.

Winning the $5,000 second-place prize is DeVon Ellis-Grant of Summerville, S.C. Presently a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design, DeVon is pursuing a BFA in Film and Television Production. His business, D.E.G. Productions, LLC, is an independent, comprehensive multi-media production company.

The third-place prize of $2,500 goes to Matthew Schuster of Hampton Cove, Ala. Matthew, a sophomore at Auburn University, created a business plan for MS Productions/Sound Source Productions, a sound and lighting business currently serving the southeastern United States.

"The Plan For The Future competition is an excellent opportunity for students like Jon Fischer to develop important entrepreneurial skills and learn business strategies early on," said Hank Kopcial, executive director of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. "At NFIB, we have an ongoing commitment to promoting and encouraging the teaching of entrepreneurship in high schools and colleges. We are thrilled that BizFilings has recognized the potential in these young people and invested in the future of free enterprise."

The following students won $1,000 scholarships in the Plan For The Future(SM) competition: Whitney Boyce, Vanderpool, Texas; Mark Zimmer, Marne, Michigan; Fantashia Stevens, Cleveland, Ohio; Natasha Spedalle, Astoria, New York; Sierra Brown, Memphis, Tennessee; Elisabeth Ortiz, Overland Park, Kansas; Faith Rivers, Charlotte, North Carolina; and Joseph D’Agostino, Newark, Delaware.

"The Plan For The Future competition provides promising entrepreneurs with real-life experience and encouragement for their ideas," said Mark Schiff general manager of BizFilings. "Drafting a solid business plan is the first, and possibly, most important step in starting a successful business. BizFilings is excited about our partnership with NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation and is thrilled to be able to help these students fulfill their dreams."

Competition entries were judged by an independent panel based on quality, creativity and viability of the business plan. More details about the competition are available at www.nfib.com/YEF and www.bizfilings.com.

About NFIB
The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting the importance of small business and free enterprise to the nation’s youth. The Foundation is associated with the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. More information is available at the Young Entrepreneur Foundation Web site, www.nfib.com/YEF.

To accomplish its mission, the Young Entrepreneur Foundation depends on support from companies, such as BizFilings, which are interested in strengthening our country’s commitment to teaching the values of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.

About BizFilings
BizFilings is the leading Internet provider of incorporation and related services to business owners. BizFilings professionally forms corporations, LLCs, and nonprofits faster than anyone else. The company also offers Ultimate Business Planner software to help new businesses succeed.

As a company started in 1996 by entrepreneurs seeking online resources to start a business of their own, BizFilings embraces the entrepreneurial spirit. The company has grown rapidly in the past decade, helping over 100,000 domestic and international business owners with their corporation, limited liability company, and nonprofit formation needs. The company is headquartered in Madison, WI, with satellite operations around the country.

BizFilings is a part of Wolters Kluwer, a leading multinational publisher and information services company. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2005) of €3.4 billion, employs approximately 18,400 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

Introducing CataDisc™ - Experience the Catalog of the Future

Tri-Ventures, Inc. introduces CataDisc™ - a whole new way to look at catalogs.

Savannah, GA (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- Tri-Ventures, Inc. announced the introduction of CataDisc™, a multimedia catalog on CD. CataDisc™ takes existing content from current print catalogs or databases and transforms it into an interactive catalog on CD. This technology creates an impressive branding experience through a unique use of multimedia.

CataDisc™ allows customers to transmit encrypted, secure information with CataDisc’s patented 2D bar code technology.

The catalogs on CD’s are self-contained, allowing the customer to utilize a shopping cart* and order directly from the CD without loading software onto a computer or connecting to the Internet.

This unique feature to order directly from a CD without an Internet connection is not available anywhere else in the market today. Unlike web-based ordering, if an order is interrupted the customer can retrieve the incomplete order even after rebooting the computer.

According to a February 2006 study – "Post-Holiday Online Shopping Study" sponsored by iProspect and conducted by Jupiter Research, 47 percent of Internet users who reported researching products online during the 2005 holiday season bought those products offline at a physical store, by phone, or via some other offline channel.

CataDisc™ helps companies capture those customers that buy offline by offering multiple ordering options. The customer can print the order to mail or fax with all personal information securely encrypted in the bar code or connect to the catalogers’ website and place the order over the Internet.

Catalogs on disc also reduce the cost of paper, postage and traditional catalog preparation and allow personalized shorter runs for different markets or sales campaigns, while, at the same time, providing the customer with cutting edge multimedia options and secure, encrypted data.

CataDisc™ is being sold exclusively by The APH Group, Tri-Ventures’ sales outsourcing partner. Information can be found at www.catadisc.com or by calling 912 652-4840.

*Patent Pending

About Tri-Ventures, Inc. is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia and was formed to explore and market new products utilizing its patented 2D bar code technology.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:42 AM | Comments (0)

The APH Group Honored as 2006 Small Business of the Year

Recipient of the 2006 Small Business of the Year award from the Small Business Chamber of Savannah

Savannah, GA (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- The APH Group, a provider of sales outsourcing services, announced that it is the proud recipient of the 2006 Small Business of the Year award from the Small Business Chamber of Savannah, an organization working for the success of member businesses and that of the small business community in Savannah, Georgia. The APH Group was chosen from a group of 10 finalists.

The APH Group was evaluated on strategic planning, superior business development and marketing, growth history, exemplary customer service, outstanding utilization of technology, excellent and progressive business management, support of small businesses, community-minded action and personal excellence records.

The award was presented at the Small Business Chamber’s Annual Awards Luncheon on May 16th at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott.

"This award validates The APH Group’s long-held vision that companies could save significant costs and time by using outsourced sales forces that are specially trained and managed to establish a sales presence in the United States," said Susan Brod, CEO of The APH Group.

"Over the years The APH Group has been an outsourcing partner to both international and domestic companies creating customized programs for each of our clients to meet their revenue and profit goals. We are very pleased and proud to be recognized by the Small Business Chamber and accept this award on behalf of our valued employees and business partners."

The APH Group provides complete sales outsourcing services and turnkey sales solutions to small and mid-sized businesses selling business-to-business products and services. Partnered with Team Logistics of Atlanta, Georgia, The APH Group provides end-to-end logistics, sales and customer service support for its clients.

About The Small Business Chamber of Savannah

The Small Business Chamber of Savannah, Georgia, is "an organization working for the success of member businesses and that of the small business community," by providing information, education, and opportunities for networking. Information about this organization may be found at www.smallbusinesschamber.org

About The APH Group

The APH Group, founded in 1996, provides market expansion and sales outsourcing services to domestic and international companies positioning them for rapid market expansion.

APH offers customized sales outsourcing services designed to meet the specific needs of each client. The APH Group has also started a sales incubator for start-up and emerging businesses. The APH Group is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia with Business Developers in the U.K., Germany, Turkey, Israel and Brazil. www.aphgroup.us

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)

Eagle Welcomes New Director of Sales and Marketing

Mr. Kohal brings strong experience and skills from the technology sales sector to the senior management team of Eagle.

Mequon, Wisconsin (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- Eagle Technology, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Harry H. Kohal to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Kohal brings strong experience and skills from the technology sales sector to the senior management team of Eagle.

Harry was formerly a General Manager for Shady Lady, a lighting manufacturing company, was President of Customer Consultants International, a sales acceleration firm, and was a branch director for a technology-consulting firm. He has extensive experience with the software industry and sales and marketing management.

Harshad Shah, President of Eagle says “Harry’s expertise and experience will contribute greatly to Eagle and the ProTeus solution we provide to our partners and clients, we are pleased to have him join us”. Eagle’s management team will continue to build stakeholder value by actively pursuing new market opportunities worldwide.

About Eagle Technology, Inc.
Eagle Technology, Inc. is a solutions company, incorporated in 1987, that has developed the ProTeus™ family of facility management solutions for time efficiency, documentation, asset management and availability yielding a measurable return on investment to it’s users. Facilities managers throughout the world rely on ProTeus™ to keep their facilities on-line, ISO compliant, and operational. As a leader in the field, with direct interfaces to systems from Trane, Johnson-Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, York, Tridium, Carrier, and others, ProTeus™ from Eagle Technology, Inc. is the logical solution for facility managers with multiple buildings, multiple systems and assets that must be tracked using a common enterprise solution. Additional information about Eagle Technology, Inc and ProTeus™ can be found at www.eaglecmms.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

API Launches XD Series Laser Measurement System

Automated Precision Inc announces the official launch of the XD Series Laser Measurement System today.

Automated Precision Inc. (http://www.apisensor.com) announces the official launch of the XD Series Laser Measurement System (http://www.apisensor.com/xdlaser) today. The XD Laser provides unparalleled productivity for machine tool calibration. The system is designed to grow with the needs of a customer. The New Series includes four models with the capability to measure Linearity, Straightness, Pitch, Yaw and Roll. The XD Laser can measure the geometric error of a three-axis machine in two hours compared to days for competitive laser systems.

The XD Series Laser offers many industry firsts:

• Integrated Controller – Eliminates controller and external cables
• High measurement speed – Fastest in the industry – greater than 3 m/sec
• All digital Weather Station – Flexible support for up to 5 temperature sensors
• Dynamic Analysis – Measure Velocity, Acceleration and Vibration - FFT (Option)
• Ethernet communications – High speed data transmission to laptop (Wireless option is available)

The new XD Laser System offers users numerous advancements, scalability and measurement productivity. “With this modular product, we can now offer our customers the ability to measure all six degrees of freedom simultaneously in a single setup” said CEO Dr. Kam Lau. “The XD series offers unparalleled productivity for machine tool, lathe, and coordinate measurement machine calibration.” mentioned Dr. Lau.

The XD Series is an advancement of the industry proven API 5/6D laser. The new XD laser still maintains the previous generation’s competence in measurement accuracy while giving customers more measurement solutions.
Included with all systems is API’s Winner© software. The software provides enhanced modularity and ease of measurement and compensation. With its modular design, customers can upgrade to a new hardware version and not have to learn a new software package that would normally be associated with a typical hardware change.

About API
Automated Precision, an ISO 17025 accredited company, is a world leader of advanced metrology solutions for industry. Founded by Dr. Kam Lau in 1987, API has pioneered progressively higher standards of accuracy for coordinate measuring and machine tool operation. API products are installed and used by all of the world's leading automotive, aerospace, machine tool, and CMM manufacturers. API's experienced engineering team is unmatched in its ability to create advanced innovative products, which meet the needs of rapid evolving industrial technologies.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:39 AM | Comments (0)

Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. Attracts Equity Funding - DSM and Limburg Ventures Take Equity Position

Oxford Performance Materials Inc. (OPM) has closed a round of equity funding from a consortium of investors. New investors DSM Venturing and Limburg Ventures were joined by existing investors in the company. The investment lays the foundation for further growth of OPM’s polyketones business. The money will be used to expand the company’s business development with a focus on biomedical markets.

(PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- Oxford Performance Materials Inc. (OPM) has closed a round of equity funding from a consortium of investors. New investors DSM Venturing and Limburg Ventures were joined by existing investors in the company. The investment lays the foundation for further growth of OPM’s polyketones business. The money will be used to expand the company’s business development with a focus on biomedical markets.

OPM has been dedicated to building a successful high performance polymer franchise since 2000 and has attracted world class customers and reputable business partners. “The investment by performance materials and life science company DSM is a strong sign that we are on the right track to become a major player in the league of high performance polymers”, said Scott DeFelice, President of OPM; “The firm’s OXPEKK® products offer real and sustainable benefits to OPM’s customers in the high performance polymers marketplace and we are very confident the market for OPM’s products will continue to grow robustly”.

In addition to DSM, OPM now also gains the support of Limburg Ventures, a regional venture capital fund in The Netherlands. OPM will be establishing a European operation at the Chemelot Campus, close to Maastricht, by the end of 2006. The OPM Chemelot facility will host business development and technical services in support of an enhanced European market initiative. The Chemelot facility offers an extensive world class portfolio of technical capabilities, which have been made fully available to OPM.

Existing investors led by Longmeadow Capital have also contributed to this financing round. The size of the round was not disclosed.

Oxford Performance Materials
Founded in March 2000, OPM has rapidly become an industry leader in the ultra-high performance thermoplastic polymers market. The firm's versatile OXPEKK® polymers are currently being used in space and defense, medical, semiconductor, and industrial markets worldwide. For additional information, please visit at www.oxfordpm.com or contact us directly at e-mail protected from spam bots.

DSM Venturing
DSM Venturing, part of performance materials and life sciences company DSM N.V., is an active investor in several Venture Capital Funds and start-up companies in the field of Nutrition, Pharma and Performance Materials. DSM Venturing's mission is to explore emerging markets and technologies in order to enhance DSM's product portfolio and create value. For more information about DSM Venturing see www.dsm-venturing.com.

Limburg Ventures
Limburg Ventures is a venture capital fund which focuses on innovative businesses in the fields of advanced materials and the life sciences who wish to establish themselves in the Dutch Province of Limburg and by preference at the Chemelot Campus, close to Maastricht. The fund was founded by DSM and Limburg Development Company LIOF. In its activities, the fund seeks to link up with the region’s strengths in the fields of materials and the life sciences and to open up networks giving access to universities and the market for the companies that it finances. For more information about Limburg Ventures see www.limburgventures.com.

Chemelot
Chemelot is the independent chemical and sciences park in the Dutch part of the Meuse-Rhine Euregio. Site users find excellent manufacturing capabilities and industrial services, together with an open attitude towards innovation, high chem and performance materials developments. DSM, Sabic, Sekisui, Celanese, EdeA, LVM, Carbolim, Basic Pharma, Nanospecials and many other companies are hosted on the Chemelot site.

For more information:

Oxford Performance Materials Inc.
Scott DeFelice / Severine Valdant
Tel. (860) 698 9300
Internet: www.oxfordpm.com

Limburg Ventures BV
Casper Bruens, Investment Director
Tel. +31 (0) 45 5782552
Internet: www.limburgventures.com

DSM Corporate Communications
Nelleke Barning
Tel. +31 (0) 45 5782017
Fax +31 (0) 45 5740680

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:38 AM | Comments (0)

ATLANTA Drive Systems to Showcase Expanded Range of Standard Rack & Pinion Drives at IMTS 2006

ATLANTA Drive Systems, Inc. will showcase their expanded range of standard Rack & Pinion Drives, consisting of both helical & straight (spur) tooth versions, in an assortment of sizes, materials and quality levels, in Booth B-6351 during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, September 6 – 13, 2006.

Farmingdale, NJ (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- ATLANTA Drive Systems, Inc. will showcase their expanded range of standard Rack & Pinion Drives, consisting of both helical & straight (spur) tooth versions, in an assortment of sizes, materials and quality levels, in Booth B-6351 during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, September 6 – 13, 2006.

These drives are perfect for a wide range of applications, including axis drives requiring precise positioning & repeatability, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, and material handling systems. Heavy load capacities and duty cycles can also be easily handled with this drives. Industries served include Material Handling, Automation, Aerospace, Woodworking, Machine Tool and Robotics.

The product range consists of metric pitches from module 1.0 to 16.0, with linear force capacities of up to 31,000 lb. Rack segment lengths up to 3.00 meters are available standard, with unlimited travels lengths possible by mounting segments end-to-end. Quality levels include soft, induction-hardened, quenched & tempered and hardened & ground (AGMA 12).

Typical delivery time for these standard components is only 2 to 3 weeks- ideal for OEM's requiring just-in-time delivery schedules. Special and/or modified designs are always possible.

For more information, contact ATLANTA Drive Systems at: (800) 505-1715, or on the web at: www.atlantadrives.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:37 AM | Comments (0)

ATLANTA Drive Systems to Introduce Their Expanded Range of Servo Reducers at IMTS 2006

ATLANTA Drive Systems, Inc. will introduce their expanded range of Servo Worm Reducers, now offering four levels of precision to meet any application requirements, in Booth B-6351 during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, September 6 – 13, 2006. Building on the popular High-Performance (HP) Servo-Worm Reducer product, Atlanta has added a High Torque, Economy and Basic version to complete the range.

Farmingdale, NJ (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- ATLANTA Drive Systems, Inc. will introduce their expanded range of Servo Worm Reducers, now offering four levels of precision to meet any application requirements, in Booth B-6351 during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, September 6 – 13, 2006. Building on the popular High-Performance (HP) Servo-Worm Reducer product, Atlanta has added a High Torque, Economy and Basic version to complete the range.

The High Torque (HT) version offers 150% the torque capacity of the standard Servo-Worm Reducer, while reducing the backlash level to less than one arc-minute. The output was also redesigned for increased bearing capacity and an option for flanged connections based on ISO 9409.

The Economy (E-Servo) version offers the same torque capacity as the standard Servo-Worm Reducer, with a backlash level of less than six arc-minutes. A simplified housing and assembly allows for significant price savings. The Basic (B-Servo) version offers 90% the torque capacity of the standard Servo-Worm Reducer, with a backlash level of less than twelve arc-minutes.

The four levels of precision available allows a machine designer to select the required reducer precision to meet their needs and their budget. A wide range of motor couplings and mounting flanges are available for the complete reducer range to mount virtually any servo motor and the hollow bore output can be used to mount output shafts, pinion shafts, or other drive elements.

Typical applications for these reducers include rotary axis drives, traveling gantries & columns, and material handling axis drives. Industries served include Material Handling, Automation, Aerospace, Machine Tool and Robotics.

For more information, contact ATLANTA Drive Systems at: (800) 505-1715, or on the web at: www.atlantadrives.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:37 AM | Comments (0)

StacoSwitch Unveils New Logo

StacoSwitch, a manufacturer of rugged duty lighted pushbutton switches, controllers, keyboards and keypads and tactile feedback toucscreens, recently unveiled a new logo designed to help the company build a new image as an industry-leading innovator.

(PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- StacoSwitch, a manufacturer of rugged duty lighted pushbutton switches, controllers, keyboards and keypads and tactile feedback toucscreens, recently unveiled a new logo designed to help the company build a new image as an industry-leading innovator. The new logo, designed by StacoSwitch’s graphic designer Brian Chichi, was introduced to keep StacoSwitch’s image up-to-date and convey a professional, sophisticated look.

“Our previous logo had served us well but we were ready for a change”, said Kevin Judd, StacoSwitch’s VP of Marketing. “We are confident our new image will instill trust in our existing and potential customers as well as prove we are on the cutting edge of our industry.”

The new logo is part of StacoSwitch’s effort to define its identity, through advertising and public relations. Imprinted immediately on business cards and other printing projects, the image will gradually be phased-in on StacoSwitch’s website and signage.

ABOUT STACOSWITCH:
Based in Southern California, StacoSwitch has been a leading provider of Lighted Pushbutton Display Switches and Indicators, Rugged Keyboards and Keypads, Lighting and Switching Electronic Controllers, LED Products, Digital Pulse Dimmers and Tactile Feedback Touchscreen Solutions worldwide for over 40 years. StacoSwitch serves a wide variety of highly reliable switch markets from the extreme demands of U.S. military and law enforcement to extended repetitive wear conditions in commercial markets, from caustic hazardous waste environments to crucial medical instrumentation fields. StacoSwitch continues to be a leader with field proven experience in these demanding, rapidly growing global markets.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:36 AM | Comments (0)

Summer Season Calls for Shade Solutions “A Nation in Search of Shade" - Protecting our Kids from Harmful UV Rays

Scientists and policymakers in Washington can debate global warming and its effects until they’re blue in the face. But the summer season is here and one thing is for sure: it’s going to get red hot in a lot of parts of the country and that spells danger for children and adults left unprotected in the hot summer sun.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- Scientists and policymakers in Washington can debate global warming and its effects until they’re blue in the face. But the summer season is here and one thing is for sure: it’s going to get red hot in a lot of parts of the country and that spells danger for children and adults left unprotected in the hot summer sun.

More than 1 million people in the United States develop skin cancer each year, and about 10,000 people die from it annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Simply put, the disease kills more than one person per hour nationwide.

Nationally, groups like the American Cancer Society, American Dermatological Association (ADA) and professional baseball player Curt Schilling’s Shade Foundation have sought to educate people on the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety. Legislators across the nation have started to introduce bills and measures seeking to protect citizens from the known harmful effects of UV sun exposure.

In California, State Senator Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) sponsored a bill (SB 688) that would require school districts to instruct students about skin cancer prevention in every grade from first through 12th. Notable in Speiers’ measure is that it also would require new school construction to include shade structures over playground equipment and outdoor eating areas.

Already a common feature of the landscape in sun filled parts of the world such as Australia and South Africa, fabric shade structures are rapidly becoming the shade and harsh weather protection solution for park & playground officials, school & daycare administrators, hotel & resort operators and architects and other designers concerned with sun safety.

Dallas-based USA SHADE & Fabric Structures is the leading shade and fabric structure manufacturer in the world. The company, which features the Sun Ports, Shade Structures and FabriTec brands started the industry back in the early 1990’s and has installed over 125,000 shade structures nationwide in a wide variety of market segments.

Shade structures provide architects with an unlimited amount of design options and can add enormous aesthetic appeal to any business or community location. "The USA SHADE & Fabric Structures brands utilize unique Polyethylene knitted fabrics which block out up to 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays," says Basil Haymann Chairman & C.E.O. The fabrics allow for cool air circulation keeping temperatures underneath as much as 30% cooler. The structures are ideal for parks and playgrounds where children are protected from sunburn, sun stroke, heat exhaustion or being burned by hot playground equipment.

As the temperatures rise, the dangers increase: and, while the global debate continues and the wheels of legislation turn slowly, the numbers tell us that action is needed. Look for shade structures to increasingly play a key role in the prevention of skin cancer and the solution for shade needs.

For more information, contact Jay Jensen: 800-966-5005

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:34 AM | Comments (0)

June 22, 2006

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)/Thomson Survey Indicates 2006 on Track for Record M&A Year

With worldwide mergers and acquisitions on pace to break the year 2000 record, dealmakers are again expressing great optimism with 90% saying the current M&A environment is good or excellent. The ACG/Thomson DealMaker’s Survey polled 1,201 investment bankers, private equity professionals, corporate executives, as well as lawyers, accountants and other service providers involved in the deal economy in May and June of 2006.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- With worldwide mergers and acquisitions on pace to break the year 2000 record, dealmakers are again expressing great optimism with 90% saying the current M&A environment is good or excellent. The ACG/Thomson DealMaker’s Survey polled 1,201 investment bankers, private equity professionals, corporate executives, as well as lawyers, accountants and other service providers involved in the deal economy in May and June of 2006.

"It is evident from the activity we are seeing in the Seattle market, many companies and private equity firms have abundant cash available and are aggressively trying to put it to work," said Glenn S. Burroughs, president of ACG Seattle and vice president and head of PNC Business Credit’s Seattle office. "The level of transaction activity and interest in Northwest companies has increased markedly in the last two years."

Franz von Bradsky, chairman of ACG Seattle’s Northwest Growth Financing Conference and president of Green Tree Capital concurred with Burroughs remarks. "The conference is two months away and already there are over 50 private equity firms, mezzanine/subordinated debt firms, business development companies and hedge funds from across the United States and Canada registered," von Bradsky said. "Collectively these firms represent over $75 billion of capital under management."

According to Thomson Financial, a US$1.73 billion provider of information and technology solutions to the worldwide financial community, the total value of global M&A has reached $1.613 trillion so far in 2006 (as of June 13). That sum represents a 41% increase versus the corresponding period a year ago, when $1.143 trillion worth of deals were completed. The 2006 number is also on pace to surpass 2005’s global M&A total of $2.769 trillion.

Private equity firms have been busy investing existing funds and raising new ones and are chasing larger deals, often teaming up in "club deals" to challenge corporate "strategic" buyers.

According to Buyouts Magazine, there were 223 LBO and mezzanine funds raising capital in the first quarter, which together amassed $34.75 billion in new commitments. The robust figures are coming on top of a record breaking year, as U.S. buyout shops closed on a total of $173.5 billion in 2005.

"The record amount of funds being raised hasn’t shown any signs of letting up," said Buyouts Managing Editor Ken MacFadyen. "And as long as the debt markets remain accommodating and there are no hiccups in the economy, private equity deal volume can only be expected to continue its ascent as well."

For complete survey results, visit http://www.acgseattle.org/survey.pdf

Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth is a global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at more than 10,000 members from corporations, private equity firms, financial institutions, and professional service firms representing Fortune1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 51 chapters in North America and Europe.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)

Man Versus Earthquake

Can a brand new invention from Romania save thousands of lives in the next big earthquake? Deadly earthquakes in several European countries and in Asia have been the driving force that moved Mircea Manolescu to invent "My Super Shelter." People around the world are awaiting the protection of "My SUPER Shelter" to prepare them for the encounter: "Man" versus "Earthquake."

Pasadena, CA (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- NBC4.TV reports that Southern California is primed for a major earthquake that could reach a magnitude of 8.0.

Mircea Manolescu, an inventor from Romania and Unlimited Nextwork Group Inc., a Nevada corporation with offices in California, participated from June 7th-10th at INPEX, America's largest Trade Show for Inventions in Pittsburgh, PA. Together they revealed a brand new invention for the very first time in the U.S., called "My SUPER Shelter," personal portable safety shelters which protect the lives of individuals and their families during earthquakes, tornadoes or terrorism.

Deadly earthquakes in several European countries and in Asia have been the driving force that moved Mircea Manolescu to enter into the challenge "Man" versus "Earthquake." His desire is to preserve lives during a natural disaster or catastrophic event. His invention "My SUPER Shelter" comes with a pre-warning device that lets people know in advance when a major earthquake will strike. Several seconds before the destructive wave of the quake hits, an alarm sounds, a light goes on and a voice module guides people to enter "My SUPER Shelter."

Officials and participants at INPEX testified to the great comfort of "My Super Shelter". Inside the protective shelter is a suspended seat with a safety belt, an oxygen mask, a 2-way radio and an electronic homing signal device that will lead rescue teams to the Shelter. There is also an emergency kit that includes water, food and supplies for the survival process. One of the best and most impressive features of the Super Shelter is that it has been tested and proven to withstand the pressure of over 60 tons.

Because of the severity and frequency of major earthquakes fatalities and injuries have increased dramatically worldwide since the year 2000, as evidenced by statistical data . For this reason people around the world are awaiting the protection of "My SUPER Shelter" to prepare them for the encounter: "Man" versus "Earthquake." The inventor believes that once enough homes are equipped with these protective devices, thousands of lives can be saved when the next big earthquake hits. The jury at INPEX 2006 obviously concurs that "My SUPER Shelter" will win this challenge, as they awarded this invention a "Gold Medal," an award of excellence.

Company information:
NextWork is a modern Hi-Tech Communications company focusing on Internet consulting, web development, graphic design and interactive media. Nextwork is also licensee for MySUPER Shelter in the US and Canada.

About Wolfgang Kovacek:
As Founder and CEO his main focus is networking, strategic partnerships and business development of Unlimited Nextwork Group Inc. Professional Experience: MBA Degree, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration 1985, specializing in Advertising and Market Research; various management backgrounds, founder and head of many organizations, projects and companies.

My SUPER Shelter.com:
My SUPER Shelter.com is a Web site with information about the patent-pending multiple international award winning SUPER Shelter. It is based on the extensive research and tests conducted in Romania and the recent Gold Medal winning participations in Europe's leading Inventor Trade Shows and at America's largest Trade Show for Inventions the INPEX 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit MySUPERShelter.com for more information

Contact:
Wolfgang Kovacek
Unlimited Nextwork Group Inc.
1550 Elizabeth Street
Pasadena, CA 91104
Phone: 866-482-3600
MySUPERShelter.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:54 PM | Comments (0)

AudienceCentral Launches PIER System Tailored for Workforce Emergency Communications

AudienceCentral's PIER system will help organizations stay in touch with their workforce during emergencies such as hurricanes, flooding, and pandemic events. PIER is web-based, accessible from anywhere, and remains available even when local systems have failed. Using PIER, a communications team can collaborate online and quickly distribute news and instructions to employees. In turn, employees can ask questions, request assistance, and update their emergency contact information.

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- AudienceCentral has launched a version of its PIER communications control center that will help organizations stay in touch with their workforce during emergencies such as hurricanes, flooding, and pandemic events. PIER is web-based, accessible from anywhere, and remains available even when local systems have failed. Using PIER, a communications team can collaborate online and quickly distribute news and instructions to employees. In turn, employees can ask questions, request assistance, and update their emergency contact information.

Two sample PIER Workforce Emergency Communication websites can be found at www.audiencecentral.com/nr1/8260. The sample websites, one for hurricanes and one for pandemic, show what employees and contractors might see during an emergency, including bulletins from their employer, links to emergency preparedness sites, and live RSS feeds from other sources such as weather and traffic. The sites also demonstrate how employees can update their emergency contact information, ask questions, request assistance, and provide feedback on site usefulness.

The PIER system does much more than populate a website, however; it is a fully integrated control center for managing stakeholder communications. As a web-based system, it allows a communications team to assemble online from multiple locations, collaborate on key messages, draft documents, and upload text, photos, video and audio. Approvers are notified by the system and can approve documents online. Communicators can post updates to the PIER website with a mouse click, and directly notify the entire workforce via e-mail, fax or telephone just as easily. All inquires from employees or other stakeholders are tracked on the system, along with all responses. Any PIER function can be completed without assistance from IT or outside services.

PIER addresses the 'people' side of business continuity, making it possible to communicate effectively with critical stakeholders even during difficult times
"PIER addresses the 'people' side of business continuity, making it possible to communicate effectively with critical stakeholders even during difficult times," noted Paul Grey, CEO of AudienceCentral. "Using PIER, our clients can better protect their workforce, work with them to minimize the impact of the emergency, and get back to normal operations as soon as possible."

Employee communication is the latest application for AudienceCentral’s proven PIER system, which is currently being used by the U.S. Coast Guard, Allstate, BP, State of Washington, and other major clients. It was the primary system for the U.S. Coast Guard’s public communications during Hurricane Katrina, and is frequently used to manage stakeholder communications for large-scale projects such as metropolitan light rail, new pipelines and electrical generation facilities. PIER qualifies as a Joint Information System (operating as a virtual JIC) under the U.S. National Incident Management System (NIMS) directive.

About AudienceCentral
AudienceCentral provides on-demand software and professional services to help organizations manage communications with critical team members, employees, public officials, media, concerned citizens and other stakeholders. The Company’s premiere product, PIER is a web-based system designed to help communications professionals and senior management communicate faster, more efficiently, and more consistently. To learn more about AudienceCentral and the PIER system, visit www.audiencecentral.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)

Performance Management Experts Applix and Revelwood Share Insights on Aligning Operational Metrics Across the Enterprise with Financial Outcomes

Join Applix and Revelwood for a free lunch seminar entitled "Why CFOs Are Embracing Operational Performance Management." The seminar is 11:00am – 1:00pm on June 27, 2006 at City Grill, Atlanta, GA.

Parsippany, New Jersey (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- Revelwood, the leading technology consulting firm with a core focus on business performance management (BPM) solutions and a premier Applix TM1 partner, today announced an Atlanta-area seminar, "Why CFOs Are Embracing Operational Performance Management." The seminar is 11:00am – 1:00pm on June 27, 2006 at City Grill in Atlanta, GA.

“According to industry analysts, finance executives are well-positioned to build on their success with business performance management,” said David Menninger, vice president, worldwide product strategy and marketing, Applix. “They have vast experience with forecasting, modeling, scenario planning, metrics and reporting: all activities vital to extending performance management beyond Finance into core operations, HR and customer-facing functions. This seminar will help financial executives to understand the corporate benefits available to adopters of performance management across the organization.”

To register for this event, visit: http://www.revelwood.com/events

The seminar will be led by BPM expert Ken Wolf, CEO of Revelwood and will provide attendees with:
- An overview of the BPM and OLAP (online analytical processing) markets, citing independent analyst research;
- A look at the evolution of performance management in operations and detailed explanation of complex business modeling, options for ‘what-if’ analysis;
- The benefits of dashboards, scorecards, metrics and alerts, and real-time analytics;
- Best practices for integrating BPM into day-to-day operations for improved corporate value; and
- An introduction to the OLAP solution most often attributed with the highest rate of success for managing performance across the enterprise, Applix TM1.

Seminar attendees will receive a free white paper on OPM, detailing real-world case studies from leading companies.

To learn more about Revelwood’s BPM seminar series, please contact: e-mail protected from spam bots or call (201) 984-3030.

About Revelwood
Revelwood provides business performance management solutions that enable companies to predict, measure, evaluate and impact business performance. Offering products, implementation services, training and support, Revelwood brings ease, speed and flexibility to enterprise budgeting, planning, reporting, consolidation and analysis – all on a single, common application, Applix TM1.

Since 1995, Revelwood has provided solutions for numerous innovative companies including Viacom, TV Guide, GAF Materials Corporation and Primedia. Revelwood was named one of America’s fastest growing companies in Inc Magazine’s listing of the Inc 500 and Deloitte & Touche’s Fast 500. Additional information on Revelwood can be obtained by visiting http://www.revelwood.com or calling 201-984-3030.

About Applix
Applix (NASDAQ: APLX) is a global leader of Performance Management applications based on Applix's TM1. TM1 applications enable continuous strategic planning, management and monitoring of performance across the financial and operational functions within the enterprise. Applix is a founder of the BPM Standards Group, and has been recognized by numerous industry analyst groups for its technical leadership and vision in the marketplace.

Nearly 2,800 customers worldwide use TM1 for tight integration with Excel, real-time response, adaptability, and low total cost of ownership. Delivered by Applix and by a global network of partners, TM1-based applications help customers manage their business performance and respond to the marketplace in real time. Headquartered in Westborough, MA, Applix maintains offices in four countries in Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim. For more information about Applix, please visit http://www.applix.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

Form I-9 Compliance Launches Totally Paperless Form I-9 Employment Verification Services and Receives DHS Certification for Web Services Access to the Basic Pilot Program

Form I-9 Compliance, LLC, announced that it has integrated its electronic signature solution, SecurE-Sign™ as the final step in providing a totally paperless Form I-9 process. Additionally, Form I-9 Compliance announced that it has been certified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to process Basic Pilot Program queries through the federal government’s web services protocols.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -– Form I-9 Compliance, LLC, the first federally approved Designated Agent of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) for web-based Form I-9 employment verifications, today announced that it has integrated its electronic signature solution, SecurE-Sign™ as the final step in providing a totally paperless Form I-9 process. Additionally, Form I-9 Compliance announced that it has been certified by DHS to process Basic Pilot Program queries through the federal government’s web services protocols.

With the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, (IRCA), two of the founders of Form I-9 Compliance worked closely with the DHS’ predecessor agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), to develop the original Form I-9 and have been providing comprehensive Form I-9 consulting and auditing services for 20 years.

In 2005, Form I-9 Compliance announced its patent pending proprietary web-based Form I-9 software solution that is fully integrated with the federal government’s Basic Pilot Program. In its role as a Designated Agent, Form I-9 Compliance served as DHS’s beta test partner for its then newly developed web-based access to their program.

Form I-9 Compliance’s electronic web-based system allows employers to accurately verify newly hired employees’ legal right to work in the United States within 3-5 seconds. Using specific information contained on the Form I-9, Form I-9 Compliance electronically verifies the accuracy of employees’ Social Security numbers, Immigration “A” numbers, and I-94 numbers through SSA and DHS databases, and provides the employer with a DHS issued unique verification number which our system electronically attaches to the employee’s electronic I-9 Form, resulting in a totally paperless I-9 process.

Form I-9 Compliance provides its services primarily through value added resellers. Currently, it has strategic alliances with over 40 firms that provide complementary software solutions and services. Our services include:

* An error-detecting electronic web-based Form I-9 that virtually eliminates human errors in the document completion process. Most employers are not aware of the processing errors that are made in completing the Form I-9 and their exposure to government fines for non-compliance. Form I-9 Compliance’s error-detecting electronic I-9 Form helps ensure complete employer compliance.

* Automated legal “right to work” verifications of new hires through DHS and SSA. After investing in their newly hired human capital, employers can now take the final step and gain peace of mind that their employees’ Social Security and Immigration documents are valid and relate to a specified individual.

* Electronic signature with E-Sign Act compliant click to sign e-signature solution. After completing the Form I-9, employers and their employees can use Form I-9 Compliance’s SecurE-Sign to create an instant e-signature, or use their previously stored signature to complete the totally paperless Form I-9 process.

* Electronic storage and retrieval of active and inactive I-9 Forms. Employers benefit from the convenience and cost savings of 24/7 secure, paperless access to their I-9 Forms for updating, re-verification and governmental inspection as dictated by law. Documents related to the Form I-9 are electronically scanned and stored.

* Proactive, automated management alerts are generated by our system 90, 60 and 30 days in advance of the expiration of employees’ work authorization documents. Automated management notifications to employers will enable their employees to apply for renewal of their work authorizations on a timely basis, thus greatly increasing the probability that they can legally continue to work without interruption.

* Identification of current employees with “no-match” Social Security numbers. Through the SSA’s Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS), Form I-9 Compliance helps employers improve the accuracy of payroll and tax reporting and prevents SSA inquiries concerning unmatched Social Security accounts. (On June 9, 2006 DHS issued a “Safe Harbor” rule that places increased responsibility on employers to more proactively reconcile SSA no-match letters.)

* Professional consulting services performed by trained and experienced Form I-9 consultants, including former INS officials and executive-level Human Resources professionals. Form I-9 Compliance’s confidential consulting services include comprehensive audits of an employer’s Form I-9 program and processes, error identification and corrective recommendations, scanning and indexing of current I-9 Forms and Form I-9 administration training.

* Extensive multi-level reporting systems that provide targeted reports, enabling employees across all levels of the organization to monitor I-9 activity within their areas of responsibility.

* A stand-alone electronic signature solution (SecurE-Sign) for employer’s documents and business applications.

“Form I-9 Compliance provides the most comprehensive outsourced electronic Form I-9 solutions, including integration with employers’ Human Resources software and extensive management reports that enable employers to monitor the I-9 activity within their organizations” said John Hermann, Chief Executive Officer of Form I-9 Compliance. “The unique features of our patent pending software enable employers to access the Basic Pilot Program in a cost effective manner. Employers who are considering verification through the Basic Pilot Program, need not wait for the time when use of this system may be mandated by law. Full compliance, and the cost savings by converting current I-9 programs to a paperless system can be achieved now and the value of the Basic Pilot Program can be effectively maximized.”

Form I-9 Compliance will exhibit at the SHRM Conference and Exposition in Washington, DC from June 25th-28th. Please visit Booth #3253 or www.formi9.com for more information.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)

Wilbert Plastic Services Works with Whirlpool Corp. to Outsource Services

Wilbert Plastic Services to open new plant in Bellevue, Ohio. In order to provide rapid shipment to Whirlpool Corp.’s three Ohio locations, Wilbert will open a 197,500-square-foot injection molding facility in Bellevue, located just 8.2 miles from Whirlpool’s Clyde, OH plant. Wilbert will be responsible for manufacturing agitators, augers and related plastic components on behalf of Whirlpool Corp.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- Wilbert Plastic Services announced today it is opening a plastics plant in Bellevue, OH, as part of a plan to fulfill a new outsourcing agreement with Whirlpool Corp., announced Wilbert CEO Curt Zamec.

“We’re thrilled to have a new outsourcing partnership with Whirlpool Corp., the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, and to be able to expand our injection molding business at the same time,” Zamec said.

Wilbert will be responsible for manufacturing agitators, augers and related plastic components on behalf of Whirlpool Corp.

In order to provide rapid shipment to Whirlpool Corp.’s three Ohio locations, Wilbert will open a 197,500-square-foot injection molding facility in Bellevue, OH, located just 8.2 miles from Whirlpool’s Clyde, OH plant. The plant will be hiring up to 200 employees.

Wilbert Plastic Services is the industrial plastics division of Wilbert, Inc., a holding company established in 1997. Wilbert Plastic Services is the combination of TPi, the ninth-largest thermoformer in the U.S.; TriEnda, a market leader in the material handling and packaging industry; and Morton Custom Plastics, a market leader in plastic injection molding and value-added processing.

For more information, visit Wilbert Plastic Services on the web at http://www.wilbertplasticservices.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:34 PM | Comments (0)

NOVAtime to Debut the Latest Release of NOVAtime 3000 Enterprise Edition at 2006 SHRM Annual Conference And Exhibition

NOVAtime announced its participation in the 58th Annual Conference & Exposition of the SHRM to showcase its latest release of its enterprise system NOVAtime 3000 Enterprise Edition to many Human Resource and Payroll professionals.

Monterey Park, Calif. (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- NOVAtime, (www.novatime.com), an innovative technology company that develops time and attendance and workforce management software, will showcase their latest release of their enterprise time and attendance / workforce management solution, NOVAtime 3000 Release 4 at the upcoming Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) annual conference and exhibition in Washington, D.C. held between June 25th and June 28th, 2006.

NOVAtime will be on display with the 20’ booth at the Booth #3357 and #3359. “The latest version of NOVAtime 3000 Enterprise solution is phenomenal in features and performance. The annual SHRM exhibit is an extraordinary human resource / payroll event to debut the new NOVAtime 3000 R4 and our complete line of time and attendance solutions. We will show human resource executives and payroll professionals how to protect their company’s bottom line and proactively manage their workforce by learning to automate their time and attendance needs,” says Eric Lund, NOVAtime’s Sales Manager.

“The R4 version of NOVAtime 3000 Enterprise Edition solution enables our customers to achieve unprecedented performance improvement / optimization in the web services, and many new features and product enhancements. We have a strong commitment to provide the best products and services to our customers. Our goal is to provide a great Time and Attendance System for our customers to efficiently and proactively manage their workforce, so that they can spend more time focusing on their business, rather than working in their business.” says Frank Su, NOVAtime’s Founder and President.

NOVAtime is different due to its unique offering of workforce management solutions for companies with 10 employees or over 10,000 employees that need to run their time and attendance solution on a web farm. “With our smooth migration path, powerful reporting engine, diversified data collection devices / web services, we have a proven solution that can help you managing your workforce efficiently,” says Eric Lund, NOVAtime’s Sales Manager.

About NOVAtime
With corporate offices located in Monterey Park, California, NOVAtime is a leader in integrating time and attendance systems with a company’s human resources and payroll. Known for their scalable software technology, many of the best-managed companies in the world have chosen NOVAtime as the preferred time and attendance and workforce management software provider. For more information on NOVAtime, please visit www.novatime.com or call 877-486-6682.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)

5th Gear Solutions, LLC to Bring SAP(R) Business One Fourth Shift Edition to Small and Midsize Manufacturers

5th Gear Solutions, LLC today announced that it has been named by SAP America, Inc. and SoftBrands, Inc. to introduce the new SAP(R) Business One Fourth Shift Edition (FSE) solution. This solution is an integrated, affordable business management solution for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). As an SAP Business One FSE partner, 5th Gear Solutions will provide manufacturers with the technology, business process and consulting knowledge to develop successful, long-term IT strategies.

Lake Forest, CA (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- 5th Gear Solutions, LLC today announced that it has been named by SAP America, Inc. and SoftBrands, Inc. to introduce the new SAP(R) Business One Fourth Shift Edition (FSE) solution. This solution is an integrated, affordable business management solution for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). As an SAP Business One FSE partner, 5th Gear Solutions will provide manufacturers with the technology, business process and consulting knowledge to develop successful, long-term IT strategies.

Based in Lake Forest, California, 5th Gear Solutions is teaming closely with SAP and SoftBrands to respond to a growing need among manufacturers struggling to gain and maintain competitive operating advantages. The firm will provide software and consulting services to enable small and midsize manufacturers with limited resources and technology infrastructure to gain immediate benefits to better manage their businesses. "Now together with 5th Gear Solutions, SAP and SoftBrands, small SMB manufacturers will have the ability to make smart IT decisions, improve future performance, and achieve long-term IT success with little financial or strategic risk," reported Mike Forte, Business Unit Manager for 5th Gear Solutions. Continuing, Mike Forte added, "While many small and midsize firms have invested in multiple software applications, many report that they lack the ability to access the information they need to make critical decisions when they need it. SAP Business One FSE was designed to help small and midsize manufacturers streamline their operational and managerial processes by providing robust and fully integrated enterprise-wide resource planning capabilities and real-time information."

SAP Business One supports companies with as few as ten and as many as several hundred employees, and can often be implemented very quickly. Most SMBs view software purchase with caution, expecting tangible operational improvements before spending large sums of money. SAP Business One not only provides immediate results in operating efficiency and real-time business decisions, but also comes with an affordable price tag. This affordably priced new solution is designed for those businesses that recognize the importance of leveraging business software as an integral component of their business growth strategy.

Richard Dettinger, North American Channel Manager for SoftBrands, said, "SAP Business One FSE and related service offerings are competitively priced for the smaller manufacturer while providing a value-added service that both improves productivity and ultimately reduces costs. SAP Business One FSE is making the leap into enterprise-wide resource planning easy and affordable with systems that work first time, every time."

About 5th Gear Solutions

5th Gear Solutions, a certified SAP Business One Fourth Shift Edition partner, delivers high performance manufacturing solutions. 5th Gear has over 15 years expertise working with small and mid-size business intermittent, repetitive, mixed-mode, process manufacturers. 5th Gear's Agile Implementation Methodology (AIM) ensures our customers rapid time to delivery and value of a fully integrated ERP/CRM solution. The best run small and mid-market manufacturing companies choose 5th Gear and SAP Business One Fourth Shift Edition to provide them a tangible return on investment, competitive advantage and a 360 degree view of their customers. Additional information can be found at http://www.5thGearSolutions.com.

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software solutions. Today, more than 29,800 customers in over 120 countries run more than 100,600 installations of SAP(R) software -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises to suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform to drive innovation and enable business change, mySAP(TM) Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at http://www.sap.com)

About SoftBrands

SoftBrands, Inc. is a global leader in providing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries worldwide. With more than 4,500 customers in over 60 countries now actively using its manufacturing and hospitality products, SoftBrands has established a global infrastructure for distribution, development and support of enterprise software. The company, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has more than 600 employees with branch offices in Europe, India, Asia, Australia and Africa. Additional information can be found at http://www.softbrands.com and http://www.fourthshiftedition.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)

Church Chair® Manufactures Quality Church Furniture

Comfort and quality in church furniture have become a necessity in today’s economy. Their chairs provide premium comfort, classic elegance and are extremely durable at an affordable price.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- The unique church furniture produced by Church Chair® is the reason for their phenomenal growth. When Church Chair® started its church furniture business, the thickest chair cushion on the market was a mere two inches thick and cost a small fortune. Church Chair’s® first design, The Royal Stacker™, featured a five inch dual density cushion and sold for an affordable price. This chair started a chain reaction among church furniture manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada, many emerging with styles of three and four inch cushion chairs. These manufacturers have been following our lead ever since. They are the Original Church Chair.®

Comfort and quality in church furniture have become a necessity in today’s economy. Their chairs provide premium comfort, classic elegance and are extremely durable at an affordable price.

Church Chair® is the premier producer of thick-cushioned, comfortable, durable, elegant and affordable church furniture. For 20 years, Church Chair® has been an innovator in the design of church chairs. They were one of the first companies to address the need for flexible seating. Their company soon became the global leader in the design and manufacture of flexible, stackable seating products allowing congregations to take advantage of multi-purpose room applications, yet provide exceptional seating comfort during worship services.

Comfort, Elegance, Durability, Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Unsurpassed Warranty are synonymous with the name Church Chair®. In addition to providing exceptionally comfortable seating products, Church Chair® has simplified the process of selecting and purchasing seating for your facility. By exclusively selling factory-direct, customers have an opportunity to work directly with our experts on seating design and comfort. In fact, they welcome customers purchasing large numbers of chairs to send representatives to their Rome, Georgia facility to work with the company’s senior management and tour the facilities. They also offer financing, American Express, MasterCard or Visa as payment options. Be sure to ask for your free sample chair, if you are considering the purchase of 100 or more chairs in the next year.

To find out more about Church Chair® products, please go to www.churchchair.com or call 1-800-331-5411.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)

New Formula, New Package - Cardinal Laboratories Enhances Its Pet Shampoos

TricorBraun wins first place in National Association of Container Distributors Pet & Vet Category by redesigning Cardinal Laboratories'packaging for dog and cat shampoos.

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- A beautiful fur coat always sets one apart in a crowd, whether the owner is a celebrity or a Siamese cat.

Cardinal Laboratories, Inc., makers of Gold Medal shampoos for dogs and cats, appreciate the importance of a beautiful coat and recognize the value of marketing their high-quality products in packages that reflect the value pet owners place in the care of their companions.

That understanding was critical in Cardinal Laboratories’ decision to redesign its packaging for dog and cat shampoos.

“The formula for the shampoos had been improved, and we wanted new packaging to showcase our enhanced line,” Barbara Denzer, Cardinal Laboratories vice president, said.
TricorBraun, a leader in rigid packaging for the cosmetic industry, was selected to create a package that would appeal to women, the principal purchasers of pet care products.

The TricorBraun Design and Engineering division spent more than a year in the creation of the oval drawing that was used in Gold Medal’s five pet care shampoo products. The container won first place in the NACD Pet & Vet Category.

Ultimately, a panel of female consumers selected from eight final designs and chose a container with gently cambered sides that featured contrasting high-tech diagonal ridges that were added to distinguish the classically hourglass-shaped bottle and reduce slippage when wet. The 500 ml bottles will feature a broad shoulder to command shelf presence and a frost-white cap that will accentuate the luxuriant colors of the pet care products they contain.

The bottles will be manufactured out of PETE, a polyester resin recognized for its transparency and ability to take hard knocks.

“PETE is also the material of choice for a company concerned about the environment. Recycled PETE is sought after by the manufacturers of carpeting yarn and fleece clothing,” said Tony De Vos, Cardinal Laboratories president.

The bottle presented manufacturing challenges, according to Craig Sawicki, executive vice president, TricorBraun Design and Engineering. In order to effectively present the high tech ridges on the sides of the bottles, it was necessary to eliminate parting lines that appear on the sides of the bottles and reveal where they were joined in the molding process.

“We used stretch blow moulding to improve the strength of the bottle, in addition to accentuating the diagonal ridges,” Sawicki said.

“When the new formula Gold Medal products are poured from the bottle, the users will be impressed by their luxurious texture. From a manufacturing perspective, the thickness associated with the lavish feel can make the product difficult to pour from a nearly empty bottle. We used a Sequist cap that allows the bottle to be stored upside down in its final days,” Sawicki said.

“The bottle was designed to have a strong self presence at retail and to be elegant enough that it will be stored in a visible location in the home. When we looked at the completed container, we chose to name it the DIVA because of its commanding and graceful lines,” Ms. Denzer said.

TricorBraun is one of the nation’s leading suppliers of rigid packaging, with its primary focus on cosmetics; health and beauty aids; pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals; food, beverage and wine; as well as industrial and household chemicals. The company has 28 offices in the United States and Canada.

Cardinal Laboratories, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of pet grooming products, treats and food rolls that are sold in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. The company is located in Azusa, California, and was established in 1948.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)

TSI Enables Project Management Success through Process Mapping

Dianne La Fon to lead TSI’s Business Process Improvement Practice.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) June 21, 2006 -- True Solutions Inc. (TSI), the Dallas-based project management consulting and training firm, today announced that Dianne La Fon has joined TSI as manager of its Business Process Improvement (BPI) Practice.

The foundation of TSI’s BPI practice is a structured process mapping procedure that helps clients to document the ways tasks and projects are accomplished; it results in capturing, documenting, and improving the processes that people follow to accomplish business goals. Completed process maps provide an invaluable tool to organizations which aim to maximize their resources: they illustrate the route of action, dollars and responsibility in completing every company endeavor.

Ms. La Fon brings to TSI her career-long passion for finding ways to increase efficiency in how companies do business, through more than a decade of expertise in process mapping. As Adjunct Professor of Business Process Mapping and Management at University of Dallas since August 2005, she shares her unique experience, saying, “By using TSI’s successful methodology to analyze how clients do business today, TSI’s customers can visualize the best way to achieve their goals; how they can eliminate redundancies, effectively predict project timelines and budgets, and manage personnel.” This knowledge, says La Fon, provides a distinct edge to managers with ever-shrinking corporate budgets and ever-rising human resource costs.

TSI launched the BPI practice in late 2005 as an experiment for two of its Fortune 500 clients. Both clients completed the innovative process mapping exercise and have deployed the maps as part of a successful business process management program. The first client, a global technology supplier, uses the process maps as a sales tool to illustrate its proven delivery model to prospective customers. The second client, a business services provider, has deployed the maps to drive process change in the organization; able for the first time to visualize its entire retail process, end-to-end. A telecommunications giant, TSI’s client since 2003, has just begun the process mapping effort.

By aligning system capabilities with end-user requirements, TSI successfully develops and deploys process maps which serve as tools to facilitate effective business processes. To learn more about how process mapping can help your business, contact Dianne La Fon at TSI at 972.770.0900.

About True Solutions Inc.
TSI is a global project management consulting and training organization founded in 1999. TSI’s experts include technical specialists and tenured academic professionals with years of experience in project management encompassing PMBOK® and PRINCE2™ methodologies, as well as CMMI® implementation. For complete information on TSI's Project Management Training and Consulting resources, courses, and customized workshops, please contact David Prior, Vice President at 972.770.0900.

Contact: Dianne La Fon
True Solutions Inc. (TSI)
972.770.0900
http://www.true-solution.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)

US Sublimation Launches JetTran HR Series of High Release Transfer Papers for Digital Dye Sublimation

Textile printers, custom sportswear apparel manufacturers and other wide-format digital dye sublimation professionals are raving about JetTranHR™, affordable priced high release coated transfer papers for digital dye sublimation that offer vibrant, sharp and saturated colors and images.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB)June 21, 2006 –- US Sublimation, a division of PrintVillage, announces a new brand of affordable high release coated transfer papers for wide-format digital dye sublimation called JetTranHR™. Designed to release the highest amount of ink received to the substrate, JetTran HR™ reduces ink consumption while dramatically improving image quality.

JetTran HR™ has a special coating that receives ink but prevents it from penetrating the paper’s inner layers and therefore facilitating the ink’s migration to the substrate during the sublimation process. With optimization of lowered ink usage, saturated and rich colors can be achieved resulting in dramatic cost savings and improved quality of the finished product. Available product weights include: JetTran HR™ 200 (75g/m2), JetTran HR™ 300 (100g/m2), JetTran HR™ 400 (130g/m2) and JetTran HR™ 500 (150g/m2). Various wide format widths and lengths are also available. Issues with cockling are reduced with the lighter paper and completely eliminated with the heavier version.

“We have tested JetTran HR™ with various digital dye sublimation inks currently available on the US market, including our LFP Series, and noticed dramatic improvements in image quality and color vibrancy with all of them”, says Nick Constable of US Sublimation. “Customers that received samples have noticed the same improvements.”

JetTran HR™ will replace JetCol paper as US Sublimation’s preferred paper for use in conjunction with US Sublimation’s LFP dye sublimation ink (formerly known as Rotech Digital USA®). Most Jetcol users will find it unnecessary to re-profile as JetTran HR™ has similar color and transfer characteristics.

Dye Sublimation has been used in the textile industry for years. It is a process by which an image is printed on specialized coated transfer paper using sublimation inks and then heat transferred to poly fabrics or a polymer coated material. The advent of digital printing has further expanded the use of the dye sublimation process especially for short run productions. Common products manufactured using this process are custom sport uniforms, flags, casino gaming tables, banners, snow boards, trade show booth graphics and custom designed ceramic and glass tiles.

“In our search for innovative products that improve quality while keeping customer costs under control, JetTran HR™ is the true winner”, says Michael Choo, CEO of PrintVillage, Inc.

US Sublimation is also adding baby-grand format TexprintXP Plus paper with a focus on printers with printing widths above 64" such as the Roland SJ-1000E & Mimaki JV4-180 . TexPrintXP Plus is a heavy weight paper designed to resist cockling during inkjet printing, dry quickly to the touch and rewind without wet-transfer. TexprintXp Plus rolls will be available in width of 87", 98" and 104" among others.

About US Sublimation: A division of PrintVillage, US Sublimation is a leading distributor of wide-format dye sublimation ink and dye sublimation transfer paper in North America.

About PrintVillage: PrintVillage maintains status as one of the top giclee’ fine art reproduction facilities in the U.S. With interests in all areas of digital printing and imaging technologies, PrintVillage remains on the cutting edge of research and development through its subsidiary: US Sublimation, a leader in the dye sublimation industry that distributes LFP Digital Dye Sublimation inks, JetTran™ dye sublimation transfer papers, and AIT Heat Presses. PrintVillage also distributes professional ink and printing solutions for photographic and fine art print professionals. Products include: NanoChrome™ Hybrid Resin inks, Pigmented and Dye based Inks, Dual Chambered Continuous Flow Bulk Ink Delivery Systems, Refillable Wide Format and Desktop Inkjet Cartridge Solutions for Epson, Mimaki, Roland and Mutoh Printers, Custom ICC Profiling, and Specialty Media.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)

New Technology Carries Freight & Shipping to Industry Forefront

In an industry where technology has been relatively slow to break in, Freight & Shipping takes advantage of the Internet revolution. Recently completed software – a program that took a team of software developers three years to finish – enables customers to submit a quote request over the Internet with no strings attached. Instantly. And in today’s competitive marketplace – that speed can mean all the difference.

CLEARWATER, FL (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- In an industry where technology has been relatively slow to break in, Freight & Shipping takes advantage of the Internet revolution. Recently completed software – a program that took a team of software developers three years to finish – enables customers to submit a quote request over the Internet with no strings attached. Instantly. And in today’s competitive marketplace – that speed can mean all the difference.

Thanks to a simple form customers quickly and easily complete and submit a freight quote request with just the click of a mouse. According to a company spokesperson, “With so many carriers out there, people could spend hours online and on the telephone searching for the best deal. Customer shipping needs are broadcast to more than 80 major United States freight carriers instantly. Bids for your shipment are emailed directly to you in very little time. There is no cost and no obligation for using this service. The customer has the right to say ‘No’ to any offer.”

Freight & Shipping’s software matches your freight by several criteria including class, weight, and destination to find the best carrier for you. But this new technology is not all Freight & Shipping offers its customers. Freight & Shipping acts as a monitoring service, providing up-to-date assurances to the customer that their shipments will be handled in the best and safest manner possible. According to a company spokesperson, “We call the terminals and the carriers handling your shipment to make sure it is safe, secure, and being delivered on time. We provide up-to-the-minute status reports, so customers don’t have to waste valuable time tracking packages and shipments.

Servicing both commercial and residential shipping needs, Freight & Shipping prides itself on quality customer service that goes above and beyond what even the customer expects. The marketplace is filled with companies who promise fast, friendly, and worry-free shipping services. Freight & Shipping actually delivers on these promises…and much more. For more information, visit www.freightnshipping.com or call toll-free (877) 618-6058.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:17 PM | Comments (0)

WFNN.info Started Coverage on Braintech Helping the World with Smart Robots

http://www.freestock1.com and WFNN starts coverage on Braintech helping the future with smart robots.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- WFNN continues report on companies to highlight companies believed to have high growth prospects. Dr. Joseph Louis deBeauchamp posted his report on six sites to allow investors to read about these companies.

WFNN said, “WFNN sees the company expanding rapidly into the future of robotics. After pioneering this technology, the future looks very bright for Braintech. The share price looks to jump to over two dollars with positive earning in the next twelve months. Robots and systems will reduce costs of manufacturing, thereby helping North American remain competitive."

For information of these events, examine http://freestock1.com and http://wfnn.info for the information.

About Braintech: Braintech business consists of the development, supply and support of machine vision guidance systems for robots used in the automotive manufacturing industry. The field of vision guided robotics requires their vision systems to incorporate advanced robotic engineering and programming expertise for optimal integration with the robotic systems. Their products and services are suitable for both product inspection and location analysis applications. The vision guided robotic systems help mainly manufacture automotive parts, but Braintech believes that there are large number applications in many industrial sectors.

Braintech Inc. (OTC: BRHI)
Owen Jones, CEO
102 - 930 W. 1st St.
North Vancouver, British Columbia V7P 3N4, Canada
Phone: 604-988-6440
Fax: 604-986-6131
http://www.braintech.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)

Claybrooke Marketing Inc Announced Today Its Recognition in the 18th Annual Profit 100 Ranking of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies

Profit Magazine ranks companies by five year revenue growth, creating the Profit 100 list which is Canada’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurial achievement. “The Profit 100 are role models for anyone who wants to seize today’s best business opportunities” says Ian Portsmouth editor of Profit. “By differentiating their products and applying creative management thinking, Canada’s fastest-growing companies are outpacing the competition at home and abroad.”

(PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- Profit Magazine ranks companies by five year revenue growth, creating the Profit 100 list which is Canada’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurial achievement. “The Profit 100 are role models for anyone who wants to seize today’s best business opportunities” says Ian Portsmouth editor of Profit. “By differentiating their products and applying creative management thinking, Canada’s fastest-growing companies are outpacing the competition at home and abroad.”

Claybrooke Marketing ranked 64th for its first year on the Profit 100 list. “We are excited to be recognized by PROFIT,” says David Harvey CEO of Claybrooke Marketing. “Our ranking demonstrates Claybrooke’s commitment to its clients and the marketplace by being a partner rather than a mere supplier.”

About Claybrooke Marketing Inc: Claybrooke Marketing is Canada’s only complete outsource partner for sales, marketing and operations services under one roof. Claybrooke’s client base includes some of North America’s largest manufacturers and retailers. Unilever, Telus Mobility, Best Buy Future Shop, Home Depot among others. Claybrooke’s services include: Professional Services (consulting, IT solutions), Procurement Services (print, fixture management), Logistic Services (fulfillment, warehousing) and Field Services (installation, merchandising, trade). Founded in 1997, Claybrooke continues to stay ahead of the outsourcing industry by developing innovative services and long term partnerships for its clients. More information on Claybrooke can be found at www.claybrooke.ca.

About Profit: Your Guide to Business Success, offers news, strategies, tips, interviews and other resources to entrepreneurs leading Canada’s growing companies. Each year PROFIT-which currently reaches 373,000 readers nationally-hosts a number of events that bring together business leaders in the fast-growth segment and champions the interests of those leaders. PROFIT was founded in April 1982 as Canada’s first national magazine gear to entrepreneurs.

Contact
Claybrooke Marketing Inc
www.claybrooke.ca
905-607-4888

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)

Indian CAD Service Provider Hired To Design Part of Superliner

One of the largest cruise ships ever built is taking shape in Europe, and part of it will be designed in India starting later this month.

(PRWEB) June 18, 2006 -- The Magnum Group, a reputed India-based CAD Service Provider based at Chennai, India, will design part of a European superliner with a capacity of more than 3,500 people. The liner is scheduled for launch in 2008.

The Magnum Group has been chartered by a very large European air-conditioning contractor to design the ducting, piping and electrical cable layouts for several of the air-conditioning machinery rooms in the superliner.

This task is considerably more complex than designing similar layouts for land-based projects because of typically severe maritime space constraints. A superliner’s machinery room can measure only 20 foot by 20 foot but may have to contain more than 100 air-conditioning ducts.

The Magnum Group’s Executive Director Lucky Balaraman says, “these rooms are so complex that if we designed them using two-dimensional software, we would barely understand what we were doing.”

“We are going to design them in three dimensional CAD space using specialized software for 3D air-conditioning installation design. It will be as meaningful as building with the actual ducts and pipes,” Balaraman says.

He points out that the 3D software can automatically route many ducts going in different directions within a room without collisions. The Magnum Group can now do in hours what used to take days to accomplish, which translates into a shorter design cycle and lower costs to the customer.

“The success of this design project is guaranteed on account of several factors”, Balaraman says. “For instance, we have been working with this same customer for more than two years and have formed friendships at a personal level. This reduces the divide between our two companies. We are slowly coalescing into a single team.”

Balaraman lists other factors: over those two years, The Magnum Group has learned key phrases of the customer’s European language, mastered the customer’s CAD drafting style and evolved a speedy RFQ-Quotation-RFI-Order cycle.

“In addition, we use state-of-the-art communication tools for screen sharing and videoconferencing. A lot of people don’t realize it, but excellent communication between CAD outsourcer and CAD service provider is a necessary ingredient for success,” says Balaraman.

The Magnum Group is absolutely certain the project will have a stellar outcome and anticipates designing larger parts of similar superliners as a consequence. There is no doubt that the Company’s demonstrated skill in CAD design and CAD drafting coupled with its low prices constitute an unbeatable competitive tool in the hands of its customers.

Media contact:
Lucky Balaraman, MSEE (Michigan)
AIA, IEEE
Executive Director
The Magnum Group

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)

Nireco America Acquires Datatran Labs, Inc.

Nireco America Corporation announces the purchase of Datatran Labs, Inc. The acquisition strengthens Nireco America’s fluid power and general industrial product lines while increases the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

Port Jervis, NJ (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 –- Nireco America Corporation announces the purchase of Datatran Labs, Inc. The acquisition strengthens Nireco America’s fluid power and general industrial product lines while increases the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

Datatran Labs, originally incorporated in 1972, serves the fluid power and electronics controls industries. From 1991 to 2000, the company joint ventured with Conic Systems, a forming partner company of Nireco America. Adding to the Nireco line of controls, the Datatran acquisition expands Nireco America’s product offerings to include servo valve drivers, PWM valve drivers, hydrostatic transmission controllers, encoders, dither generators and a vast array of signal conditioning components to name a few. The expanded product line will be marketed under the Datatran brand as a product division of Nireco America Corporation and will operate out of the companies Port Jervis, NY plant. Complete product information and technical downloads are available at www.nirecoAM.com.

About the company, Nireco America Corporation is a consolidated subsidiary of Nireco Corporation of Japan, a publicly traded global technology company based out of Hachioji, Japan. Nireco operates 12 manufacturing, sales, and service centers around the globe and employs approximately 385 people. The company primarily serves the printing, converting, steel, tire manufacturing, and fluid power industries.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

Regulations Designed to Protect Against the Safety and Environmental Hazards of Hexavalent Chrome Have Increased the Cost of Chrome Plating

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c38422) has announced the addition of Chrome Plating Alternatives Thermal Spray, Electroless Plating, and Others to their offering.

Dublin (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c38422) has announced the addition of Chrome Plating Alternatives Thermal Spray, Electroless Plating, and Others to their offering.

Chrome Plating Alternatives, a new study on alternatives to traditional chrome plating and their markets. This comprehensive examination of the subject discusses the various technologies, the industries in which they will—and won’t—be used, and forecasts to 2011.

Background on Chrome Plating Alternatives
Used in a wide range of industries—aerospace, heavy equipment, automotive, papermaking, and others—chrome plating has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Regulations designed to protect against the safety and environmental hazards of hexavalent chrome have increased the cost of chrome plating and burdened facilities performing plating services.

Several alternatives to chrome plating are available. High-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) is often favored due to its high performance, relatively low cost, and fast turnaround time. In fact, HVOF will dominate most chrome substitutions. However, several interesting new technologies may establish their own markets within a few years. These include electroless nickel composite plating, which can deposit diamond-composite coatings and is not restricted to line-of-sight geometries. Other emerging techniques include explosive bonding, which allows stainless-steel coatings, and electrodeposited nanocrystalline cobalt-phosphorus alloys specifically targeted at inner diameters.

Although many predicted that industry would make a sudden changeover from chrome plating to one of these new technologies that has failed to happen. Yet some market sectors have made—or are beginning to make—the switch.

And while industry downsizing and consolidation has led to the closure or offshore relocation of as many as half of the chrome plating shops in North America, the chrome plating market today is fairly stable:

- Many chrome plating shops are now thriving
- Many customers have little or no interest in giving up on chrome
- The legislative push toward alternatives has stabilized in North America
- Europe is ambivalent and Asia is largely unconcerned with regulating chrome plating

Suppliers of alternative coating/plating technologies are facing highly segmented markets where chrome plating users are resistant to making large capital investments.

Understand the Markets
Success for chrome plating alternatives will depend almost completely on economic competitiveness. At a time of tremendous flux and instability—within the supplier and user communities and the economy at large—the course of chrome alternatives in this decade is by no means clear. The success of chrome alternatives will depend on many factors and ultimately will come down to individual decisions based on economics. This market study Chrome Plating Alternatives examines each alternative technology in detail: its capabilities, its limitations, and its applications. It also explores the potential in each industry and forecasts market growth to 2011.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c38422

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
Fax: +353 1 4100 980

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)

June 20, 2006

Design-Build Solutions Provides Single Source Accountability for Roofing Construction, Retrofit and Renovation Projects

With the design-build approach, the building owner has one responsible party for all performance outcomes, including a guaranteed maximum cost, whether they're looking for a long-term roof maintenance contract or designing and installing a new roof. The newly launched DBS Web site is designed to help customers understand how the design-build process works, as well as to share information about all of the specific roof-related design and construction services that DBS provides.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) June 20, 2006 -- Building owners looking for a turnkey delivery method to provide single-source accountability from start to finish can learn about the comparative benefits of the design-build approach by visiting www.design-buildsolutions.com, the official Web site of Design-Build Solutions, Inc. (DBS), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. As a fully owned subsidiary of Garland Industries, DBS partners with The Garland Company, Inc., manufacturer and distributor of high-performance solutions for the building envelope, to resolve complex new roof construction, roof retrofit, and roof renovation projects through one responsible party. As Garland's contracting partner, DBS also offers preventive maintenance programs and support for all building envelope projects.

Albert Laird, president of DBS, explains, "Our design-build approach reduces building owner risk by providing single-source accountability for architectural, engineering, design, and construction services. We work directly with building owners to develop material specifications that meet explicit performance, pricing, and scheduling objectives, as opposed to the design-bid-build approach, where there are two distinct lines of accountability and endless finger-pointing between those controlling the design and construction portions of a project. With the design-build approach, the building owner has one responsible party for all performance outcomes, including a guaranteed maximum cost, whether they're looking for a long-term roof maintenance contract or designing and installing a new roof."

According to Laird, the newly launched DBS Web site is designed to help customers understand how the design-build process works, as well as to share information about all of the specific roof-related design and construction services that DBS provides. The site includes a glossary of terms to help building owners understand industry-related jargon, as well as a helpful selection of industry-related links.

About Design-Build Solutions
DBS was founded in 1997, in direct response to customer demands for single-source accountability in designing and implementing complex roofing projects. As a Garland Industries company (www.garlandco.com), Design-Build Solutions, Inc. is backed by the resources of an industry leader in high-performance solutions for the building envelope. Garland Industries, Inc. delivers a full range of innovative materials and services to keep government facilities, schools, healthcare institutions, universities, industrial facilities, and commercial properties watertight.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:15 AM |