• Rockwell Automation has split its control systems operation into two parts: an architecture and software segment, covering its integrated control and information architecture; and a control products and solutions segment, covering intelligent motion control and industrial control products.

• The Swiss sensor company Contrinex has made major investments in its global operations, including expanding its headquarters near Fribourg from 4,000 to 7,000m², doubling the size of its UK facility, adding a 2,000m² factory in China, and increasing the size of its Hungarian factory from 1,500 to 5,000m². The company, which has grown 20% over the past two years, plans to open new plants in India and Brazil this year.

• The Freedonia Group predicts that the global materials-handling equipment market will grow by 4.5% a year over the period to 2010, when it will be worth $117bn. The biggest growth will be in advanced products such as robots and automated guided vehicles. The European market will show renewed strength following a sluggish period, Freedonia adds.

• Following SKF`s recent acquisition of the actuator specialist Jaeger Industrial, the Taiwanese company`s linear motion products are now available from SKF in Europe. The portfolio includes linear actuators and controls capable of delivering forces up to 7.5kN

• Schneider Electric is forming a 50:50 joint venture with a Chinese company, the Delixi Group, to manufacture and sell low-voltage products. The JV, Delixi Electric, will operate independently of with its own product range and sales network. The JV, which will employ around 4,000 people, is expected to generate revenues of about €220m in its first year.

• Boeing has ordered a 14MW variable speed drive and synchronous motor from ABB to power a wind tunnel fan in Philadelphia, in the US. The new drive, which replaces an earlier ABB installation dating back to 1968, will drive a fan capable of creating wind speeds up to 435km/h to test scale-model aircraft.

• Tesla Motors, the Californian company that has developed a high-performance electric sportscar, has opened an r&d centre in Michigan to work on future products, including a four-door electric sports sedan due to enter production around 2009. Tesla has taken more than 270 orders for its Roadster sportscar, being built in the UK by Lotus.