♦  The global market for industrial PCs (IPCs) fell by 19% in 2009, reports the ARC Advisory Group. Even though the market will recover quickly, it will not reach 2008 levels until 2012, ARC predicts, because of the constant slide in prices and a drop in intermediate goods prices. The IPC market is fragmented, with companies with market shares above 2% representing just 62% of the market.

♦  Schneider Electric is acquiring the Middle Eastern automation systems integrator Cimac, which specialises in complete automation, control and electrical distribution systems, mainly for customers in the water, and oil and gas industries. The company employs more than 400 people and generates sales worth more than €40m. Schneider says the acquisition will allow it to capture opportunities in the fast-growing automation markets in the UAE and across the Gulf region. 

♦  After deciding not to sell or spin off its Consumer & Industrial division, General Electric is moving its industrial products, including switches, to a new division in GE Energy called Industrial Solutions. And following the ending of its GE Fanuc joint venture, GE is moving its Intelligent Platforms automation business to another new division called GE Home & Business Solutions, which will also include its appliances and lighting activities.

♦  Peter Still, industry standards manager at Schneider Electric in the UK, has been appointed chairman of the Cenelec TC44X committee which is responsible for the electrical safety of machinery in Europe. Still, who has been on the committee for 14 years, says a crucial aspect of the role will be to ensure that the committee’s standards can be harmonised under the Machinery Directive.