♦  Hoffmann + Krippner, the German company that specialises in membrane panels for industrial PCs, has formed a UK subsidiary, based in Cambridge, and appointed Ian Ritson as managing director.

♦  The EtherCat Technology Group is running three free one-day seminars in Dundee, Manchester and Reading from 15–17 March, to examine the EtherCat industrial Ethernet system and its applications. The seminars are aimed at both users and systems integrators. Details can be found on the ETG Web site.

♦  Rockwell Automation plans to offer two new apprenticeships later this year in addition to its intake of three last year. The apprentices will gain a route to university education while earning a wage and getting hands-on training at Rockwell and at Milton Keynes College.