NCC sells its share of East India Dock office property for SEK 850 million, Yielding capital gain of SEK 275 million
NCC Real Estate is selling its share of the East India Dock office property in London to Capital and Income Trust (CIT) for SEK 870 million. The sale will generate a capital gain of approximately SEK 275 million for NCC.
East India Dock is located in London Docklands and comprises about 56,000 square meters of floor space. The site was acquired in 1988 and the property was completed in 1992. Since 1998, the property has been fully leased to such tenants as Marsh Mc Lennan, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Guardian DR Ltd and Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette.
The property has been owned equally by NCC and SPP since 1989.
East India Dock is located in Docklands, a former dock and shipbuilding area in east London, that has been developed into a city district comprising housing and commercial properties, of which Canary Wharf is the best known.
"The sale is in line with NCC Real Estate's strategy of selling fully developed properties to investors," says Magnus Mannesson, President of NCC Real Estate.
The sale of East India Dock marks the end of NCC Real Estate's activities in the United Kingdom.
Spain turns to readsoft for examination of driving tests
The Swedish software company ReadSoft has this week closed a deal with the Spanish traffic department, Dirección General de Tráfico, to deliver the software Eyes & Hands FORMS. After one year of evaluation DGT decided to go all the way to automate the handling of theoretical driver tests. The deal is worth USD 340.000 and confirms ReadSoft's expanding position in Spain.
ReadSoft has together with its partner Fujitsu closed a deal with the Spanish Traffic Department to capture and interpret information from drivers' tests at over 80 installations all over Spain. The software Eyes & Hands FORMS will facilitate the test correction. After the student has taken the test, the forms will be scanned and the information will be processed. Some 25 000 documents will be processed daily. Dirección General de Tráfico will also use FORMS to capture and process other statistics within the department, for instance results from alcohol tests and traffic accident surveys. There might also be a possibility to extend the installation even more, since there are more documents inside the department that need to be processed.
- This order from the Spanish traffic department tells us that we are strengthening our role in the Spanish market. Before this order we already collaborated with the Spanish ministries of Interior, Justice and Defense. We are delighted to receive another order from the Spanish government and it clearly tells us we have a very good reputation in this growing market, comments ReadSoft's MD Jan Andersson.
During the last 10 years, Dirección General de Tráfico have been working with so called OCR (optical character recognition) technologies to capture and handling driver tests but will with the new installation modernize their whole forms processing management. Automatic data capture technology can reduce a company's registration costs substantially, which makes the return on investment very short.
J. Lauritsen A/S, The Danish shipping company takes over Cool Carriers AB
The Danish shipping company J. Lauritzen A/S has today signed an agreement with Leif Hoegh & Co. ASA, the listed Norwegian shipping company for the acquisition of Cool Carriers AB, the world's largest commercial operator of specialised reefer vessels within sea transportation of perishable foodstuffs. The take-over, which does not involve any purchase of vessels, will take effect on 1 January 2001.
The acquisition amounts to USD 35.4 million. The acquisition will be financed through a capital injection of DKK 215 million from the parent company J. Lauritzen Holding A/S.
Through the merger of the commercial operations of the two companies, the world's leading operator of specialised reefer vessels will be established under the name of Lauritzen Cool AB.
Strong position within the leading reefer markets
Strong position within the leading reefer markets Cool Carriers and Lauritzen Reefers complement each other perfectly and they also hold a strong position within all major reefer markets as well as in year-round, liner, COA (Contract of Affreightment) and the so-called system trades. The two organisations and their geographical coverage complement each other optimally. Leif Hoegh as well as J. Lauritzen owns a significant fleet of specialised reefer vessels, and will thus be supportive to Lauritzen Cool. Lauritzen Cool will employ the reefer vessels from both Leif Hoegh and J. Lauritzen.
UN decision creates business opportunites for Saab TranspondeTech
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has decided to revise the maritime safety regulations (SOLAS, chapter V). One consequence of this decision is that the Automatic Identification System (AIS) will become compulsory equipment aboard the approximately 56 000 vessels defined within the parameters of the SOLAS regulations.
The new regulations will come into effect as of July 1, 2002. These new regulations will create substantial business opportunities for Saab TransponderTech AB, which is the world leader in AIS technology. Even vessels not subject to SOLAS regulations constitute an interesting additional potential market.
Furthermore, the infrastructure for ports, rivers and coastal areas will have to be upgraded to receive data transmitted from AIS transponders. This data must be efficiently distributed to authorised personnel in a crisis, as during a sea-rescue operation.
For more than 10 years Saab TransponderTech has designed, developed and marketed transponders for Maritime and Aviation applications. To date Saab TransponderTech has delivered more than 500 transponders to domestic and international customers. Saab TransponderTech has a close co-operation with the Swedish Maritime Administration, and also participates in international standardisation activities governed by IMO.
Scania's new V8 engines in Finnish combat vehicle
Scania is supplying the engines that power the Finnish military's new com- bat vehicle. This makes Finland the second country after Switzerland to choose Scania's new 16-litre V8 engine in its latest military configuration.
The contract represents added success for Hägglunds Vehicle AB of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden, which in the space of just a few months is about to close billion-kronor agreements with the defence ministries of both Switzerland and Finland. In the case of Switzerland, Scania is supplying 186 engines, while the Finnish contract is for an initial order of 57 engines.
"For us, this contract is the fruit of many years of close cooperation between Scania and Hägglunds," says Lennart Hjelte, Vice President Industrial and Marine Engines. Scania has already served as the main supplier of engines for the Swedish CV 90 combat vehicle - the same type of vehicle as in the two new contracts - but that was with Scania's previous generation of V8 engines.
The new engine, which is a further development of Scania's tried and tested V8 design, had its premiere showing in June this year at the Euro- satory 2000 international military trade fair in Paris. Deliveries of the basic version of the new engine already number in the tens of thousands for both civilian and military trucks and boats. "Scania's powerful and compact V8 engines have been extensively modified for their tough job in Combat Vehicle 90. The extremely low dry oil sump is just one example of the way in which this engine has been reworked to meet the stringent customer requirements for this demanding application," explains Lennart Hjelte. In addition to the Swedish military, the Norwegian army has also previ- ously purchased Combat Vehicle 90 with Scania power.
Aspiro handles SMS traffic for Dutch IT company
Aspiro has signed an agreement regarding the handling of all SMS traffic for a Dutch IT company that distributes information about discotheques and nightlife to mobile phone users.
The deal means that Aspiro becomes the Dutch IT company's chosen SMS operator. The IT company distributes information about discotheques and nightlife in Holland to mobile phone users. The signed agreement runs for two years and is non-exclusive.
"In only a short time Aspiro has built up a competitive SMS service," says Stefan Sjšdin, head of Aspiro's SMS products. "Today, we already handle a considerable share of all domestic Swedish SMS traffic. The agreement with the Dutch IT company demonstrates that Aspiro's service is also very attractive in the international market".
Aspiro provides mobile Internet services, promoting life in motion, using cutting-edge knowledge and technologies. Aspiro offers operators, content providers and mobile organizations a wide range of solutions, from pre- packaged portal services to industry-specific solutions.
WDR select TANDBERG Television as DTT trial partner
TANDBERG Television, a leading supplier of open solutions for digital broadcasting, is continuing its lead in the global digital terrestrial television (DTT) market with today's announcement that it has been chosen by German broadcaster, WDR, as the provider of digital terrestrial broadcast systems for WDR's first DVB-T trials in the VHF and UHF bands.
Located in Cologne, WDR is the largest regional public broadcaster in Germany and covers via terrestrial the 18 million viewers of Northrhine Westphalia. It is working with TANDBERG Television to conduct trials of DVB-T, with a four-channel system, which will run on an VHF-SFN (single frequency network). The system consists of high-end encoders and multiplexers from the TANDBERG Television evolution 5000 range, including advanced modulators and receivers. TANDBERG Television will technically integrate the equipment and guide WDR, providing full support during the trial period. "These trials are critical for our digital terrestrial television roadmap and we wanted more than just a product supplier. We were looking for a true technology partner and an organisation that totally understands digital terrestrial broadcasting. TANDBERG Television fits the bill completely and is able to offer us proven DVB-T compression, transmission and broadcast management solutions, supported by the expertise of engineers credited with having invented DTT," says Joachim Barei§, head of WDR«s transmitter operating department. The contract win supports TANDBERG Television's ongoing investment in the German market. The company has built a strong sales and engineering presence at its base near Munich, with the objective of being on the ground to provide support and solutions to German broadcasters as they build and grow digital TV services. "We are proud to have been chosen by WDR for these important trials. The move to digital TV in the German market is an exciting time. For TV viewers it will mean wider choice and a higher quality TV offering, as new services are introduced such as near-video-on-demand, pay-per-view events and interactivity. For advertisers it means better targeting of viewers and interactive feedback," says Joergen Bredesen, CEO of TANDBERG Television. "We look forward to building on this win, and on the current DTT networks and trials we are operating in many other European and Asian countries, to continue as the first choice in DTT technology and solutions."
Stora Enso's Ensocup and Ensocoat Paperboard butter tub - a new packaging concept for Europe's biggest hypermarket chain
Can butter be packed in anything other than aluminium laminated paper or a plastic tub? The supermarket chain Carrefour has turned its board-based butter tub into a successful product. The design of the board-based container and the consumer-friendly packaging concept are the result of years of product development work.
Up until now butter packaging has been a relatively poorly developed area in the dairy processing industry. Butter and margarine products have been packed either in aluminium laminated paper or in plastic tubs. Retailers have not competed for consumer interest by means of design or new material options. Against this background, the Carrefour supermarket chain's board-based butter tub is a real novelty. It is the first board-based butter tub in Europe to be marketed in a major retail chain.
The container attracts the customers eye
"Butter packaging is a demanding area, as butter is stored in dairies at a humidity of 95% and a temperature of +4 ¡C. However, the relative humidity and temperature in the cold chain of shops and consumer refrigerators are different. This means that the structure of the tub has to be able to withstand these variations and prevent detrimental reactions," says Luc Lesénécal, head of marketing at the Isigny Sainte-Mère dairy, which supplies butter to Carrefour. Butter from the Normandy-based Isigny Sainte-Mère dairy may be marked with the AOC (Appellation d´Origine Contrôlée) label, which verifies the product's origin. AOC-classified butter is a premium product in Carrefour's range and for this reason the global hypermarket giant wants its butter tub to stand out clearly from its basic products. Thanks to its design and the good print quality made possible by the use of board, the container attracts the consumers eye on the cold shelf. The container and its Ecoclip lid developed by the packaging manufacturer CAN Packaging is also easy to open and close. The container has gone through exhaustive tests in which the package's grease resistance and organoleptic properties as well as its ability to withstand transport and storage have been tested. CAN Packaging's machine and packaging expertise combined with Stora Enso's wide range of boards has been of crucial importance in developing the container. "The dairy industry is one of our growth areas because the potential of board packaging in dairy products has been insufficiently exploited. The example provided by major end customers such as Carrefour will encourage the entire dairy industry to source new packaging applications," says Sales Director Alain Piattier of Stora Enso France. Stora Enso's Ensocup and Ensocoat board grades as well as Ensobarr coating in the bottom of the butter container are used. The coating provides the board with good barrier properties which surpass those of aluminium folio. The packaging solution has received the Packaging Oscar of the IFEC (Institut Français de l´Emballage et du Conditionnement), an award which is highly esteemed in France.
Europe's first intelligent house ready for family of four
Europe's first intelligent house ready for family of four In the community of Värmdö outside Stockholm, the first of a development of six houses based on the concept of Intelligent Living is now complete. Suitable for a family of four, the 200 sq.m. house that will admit its owners by fingerprint recognition is Europe's first commercially-available intelligent home.
Europe's first intelligent house ready for family of four In the community of Vþrmdš outside Stockholm, the first of a development of six houses based on the concept of Intelligent Living is now complete. Suitable for a family of four, the 200 sq.m. house that will admit its owners by fingerprint recognition is Europe's first commercially-available intelligent home.. All intelligent features in the house are linked to each other via a built in network. The Electrolux Screenfridge, a refrigerator with a touch- sensitive computer screen fitted on the door, serves as the platform and communication center for the networked features and the family living there. The Screenfridge also helps the household with dinner ideas based on the contents of the refrigerator, stores shopping-lists and a family calendar. Additionally, it has a small video camera to record messages, and via broadband communication also always-on Internet, a web-based telephone, television and radio.
The Networked household
All kitchen appliances are networked. Information about a water leak from the dishwasher, a cooker that has been left on, or an open freezer door, is displayed on the Screenfridge and a touch-screen terminal by the entrance door and is also sent to a WAP phone. With the WAP phone, the homeowner can also download the shopping list stored in the Screenfridge, helping to make sure nothing is forgotten when at the supermarket. Innovative energy efficiency features save the family money. When there is no one at home, heating and ventilation is reduced, and lighting is proximity-activated, switching itself off automatically when the family leaves the house. Outside, the lawn is watered automatically and the self-propelled Husqvarna Auto Mower cuts the grass. Food deliveries can be left in a lockable delivery unit with refrigerated and freezer compartments to keep food fresh until the homeowner comes home. Says, Michael Treschow, President and CEO of the Electrolux Group: "This house demonstrates what can be achieved when innovative technology is applied with common sense to meet and improve everyday life for ordinary families."
Major order for Saab Nyge Aero
Saab Nyge Aero in Nyköping has won an order worth SEK 183 million from Bombardier Aerospace in Canada. At its workshops in Nyköping (about 100 km from Stockholm), Saab Nyge Aero will rebuild and modify two Canadair CL-415 amphibious aircraft. The work will take three years to complete and the company expects to recruit about 20 people for this purpose. The order includes an option on a third aircraft and will create export opportunities for other parts of Sweden´s high technology industry.
In its basic version, the CL-415 can scoop up about six tonnes of water from lakes and other large bodies of water for use in fighting forest fires. The order given to Saab Nyge Aero entails modifying the aircraft so that it can also be used in SAR (Search And Rescue) operations, including maritime and environmental surveillance missions. About 50 aircraft of the basic model are currently in use throughout the world.
Important for Other Industries
The order is also important for other areas of Sweden´s high technology industry. Ericsson Microwave Systems is a major subcontractor of technology and equipment, and the Swedish Space Corporation sees a promising export potential for its maritime surveillance system. During summer 1995 and 1996, Sweden´s Coastal Defense and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency tested the CL-415 for firefighting at various locations and found the aircraft well suited for Swedish conditions. The possibility for modification and conversion to a complete maritime rescue aircraft, including the capability to perform maritime and environmental surveillance missions, will probably be of considerable weight in a future decision on aircraft purchases within the scope of government commissions to these organizations.
A royal opening for Öresund Bridge
After ten years of construction work, the Öresund Bridge will open to traffic on Saturday, July 1st at 11 p.m. Earlier in the day, the new link between Denmark and Sweden - and between the Scandinavian peninsula and central Europe - will be officially opened by Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden and by the two Prime Ministers Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Göran Persson.
The inauguration ceremony will begin when two trains carrying the Queen of Denmark and the King of Sweden depart from Copenhagen Central Station and from Malmš Central simultaneously. Besides the royal parties, the passengers will include the Prime Ministers of the two countries and invited guests. As the two trains approach the Öresund Bridge, the train from the Danish side will break through a ribbon at the descent to the Öresund tunnel off Kastrup while the Swedish train will break through a ribbon at the ascent to the bridge. This will mark the official opening of the link´s rail section. The two trains will continue to the artificial island of Peberholm where the two heads of state and the two prime ministers will greet each other to mark the coming together of their two nations. The trains will then be linked in order to take their guests to Lernacken where a large stage will have been erected. The stage will be the setting for a "Performance for the Bridge," to be watched by the 3,000 invited guests, a substantial number of national and international media representatives and millions of TV viewers worldwide.
The Øresund Bridge in between
Not only cars and trucks, but trains as well will cross this mighty bridge. The first train was delivered in late January and 10 trains will go into service the day after the opening of the Øresund Link'.
The Øresund trains will consist of three carriages, the first and third of which have four engines each to maximize operational reliability. Running at speeds of up to 180 kilometers an hour, the trains are capable of accelerating at twice the rate of the Swedish X2000 trains.
Switching Safety Swiftly
The new train type offers considerable savings in energy consumption due to its ability to exploit the energy generated by the trains' braking systems. The Øresund trains are also unique in that they are built to run on both Danish and Swedish track systems. When passing through a neutral section at Lernacken in Sweden, the trains automatically adapt to the change in voltage: 16,000 volts in Sweden and 25,000 volts in Denmark–without changing speed. The train will also automatically switch between the Danish and Swedish ATC safety systems. Designed for a high level of user friendliness, the entrance to the center carriage is on a level with the platforms thus providing easy access to wheelchairs, baby-carriages, etc. The carriage is also equipped with toilets for the disabled and has space for bicycles and heavy luggage. Each unit has 237 seats including seating for 20 in a first-class section. A number of folding seats have been installed for passengers who might wish to sit close to their luggage. When required, the three carriage trains can be linked to form longer units. For price information to cross the bridge, please click on the SPOTLIGHT button at right.
Ericsson unveils first GPRS phone with Bluetooth
Ericsson just unveiled the first GPRS phone with Bluetooth, the triple band R520. A world premier, the R520 is the first step toward more advanced mobile Internet applications, featuring GPRS, High Speed Data (HSCSD), Bluetooth wireless technology and WAP. Besides maximum speed levels the R520 also offers complete wireless connectivity with a built-in Bluetooth chip, removing requirements for cables between the phone and other mobile devices, such as PCs and handsfree devices.
The R520 is one of three products Ericsson presents in Singapore, all based on the company's leading technologies in wireless communications. The R520 features a WAP browser, making it Ericsson's sixth WAP handset. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is a technology designed to bring Internet content to users of wireless devices. GPRS will make mobile Internet cheaper, faster and more user-friendly than ever before. General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and High Speed Data makes it possible for the consumer to send and receive data much faster than what has been possible over regular GSM. GPRS also enables the consumer to always be on- line, ensuring the R520 to keep the consumer continuously connected to mobile Internet services. Additionally, the phone also supports High Speed Data (HSCSD) which gives an extra option for fast speed transmission of data. Besides maximum speed levels the R520 also offers complete wireless connectivity with the built-in Bluetooth chip. For instance the R520 can be used together with the Bluetooth Headset from Ericsson, or be connected to a PC with the Ericsson Bluetooth PC Card.
Chinese Interface
The R520 will be tested by operators and service providers during Q3 and Q4 2000, it will be available in limited volumes during Q4 2000 and in commercial volumes during Q1 2001. The R520 supports GSM 900/1800/1900 frequencies, allowing communication with one phone throughout 120 countries in five continents. Two versions of the R520 will be produced. The R520m, and the R520mc which features a complete Chinese interface that is easy to learn and easy to use. This unique feature allows you to send and receive Chinese SMS messages and also lets you store Chinese names in the Phone Book. Measuring 130x50x16mm and weighing just 105 grams, the R520 offers talk time of up to 7 hours and 35 minutes and a standby time of up to 200 hours (approximately 8 days). The R520 is being shown in a sporty copper color.
Metso supplies new coating line to Metsä-Serla
Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Valmet, will supply a new type of on-line paper coating line to Metsä-Serla's Kangas Paper Mill in Jyväskylä, Finland. No similar method of integrating paper coating and multi-nip calendering with the papermaking line is currently operational anywhere in the world. The order is worth nearly EUR 45 million. The production line to be started up in March 2001 will produce coated fine paper.
The delivery includes a coating machine equipped with two blade coating stations, a calender and reel. In addition, the delivery includes a paper machine shoe press, dryer section rebuild parts, a coating color kitchen and a roll wrapping line. Metso's automation and control technology business area, Neles Automation, will supply renewed process automation based on its dynamic network of application solution.
Producer of Fine and Specialty Papers
Producer of Fine and Specialty Papers The Kangas Paper Mill currently produces 245,000 t. of uncoated and coated fine paper and specialty papers. Following the delivery of the new on-line coating line, the PM 4 will transfer from production of copy paper to production of coated fine paper. The speed of the new line will be 1,200 m/min and paper width on reel 5,720 mm. Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area Valmet is the world's leading supplier of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting, and panelboard industries. In 1999, Valmet's net sales was EUR 1.7 billion, and its personnel numbered 10,600. Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems. In addition to fiber and paper technology, Metso's business areas are automation and control technology and machinery. The net sales of Metso Corporation was EUR 3.4 billion in 1999 and personnel totaled approximately 23,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges and New York Stock Exchange.
New Scania 16-liter V8 to hit the road
Scania's position as "King of the Road" is strongly based on the V8- engine, which has outperformed most of the competition for the past three decades. This legendary power unit has now been succeeded by an even more im-pressive V8, featuring excellent driveability and operating economy, combined with Euro-3 compliance. In line with Scania's modular philosophy, many components are shared with the latest six-cylinder engines to optimize both availability of parts and ease-of-service.
Ever since the launch of the 14-liter V8 engine in 1969, Scania has dominated the high-output heavy-truck segment. The engine is renowned for being rugged, reliable, and powerful. With this power unit, Scania's 144 models currently account for around 60% of the trucks sold with V8-engines in Europe.
Market's Most Powerful Euro-3 Engine
Performance in truck terms is all about productivity. Having power to spare when going up-hill will boost average speed, so will a powerful engine-brake or a retarder going downhill. A truck that is built for its task makes life easier for the driver, and the load gets to its destination faster, safer, and cheaper. The new 16-liter V8 engine is being offered in two power versions (480 and 580 hp) in the new top-of-the-range Scania R164 model, which is available in a large number of configurations for long-haulage and heavy-haulage operations. Production has already started.
Ericsson and Swedish Railways test Bluetooth
Ericsson and Swedish Railways, SJ, are conducting the world's first trials with Bluetooth wireless technology in public environments. The purpose of the trial is to test new information services for SJ passengers and to test Bluetooth wireless technology for communications in public environments. With WAP and Bluetooth mobile phones, passengers can book tickets, confirm seat reservations on spot, and also connect to a network on the X2000 train to reach public and corporate information resources.
Bluetooth access is provided on the central railway station in Stockholm and on an X 2000 express train. Passengers can receive a seamless service from SJ either via GSM when in wide area or over Bluetooth wireless technology when at a station or on a train. A combination of Bluetooth wireless technology, GSM, WAP and Web technologies is used in the trial, which proves that these technologies can be used together and provide a generic technology environment in public transports. In this case, mobile Internet and Bluetooth wireless technology makes it possible for consumers to integrate tickets, credit cards and personal information management into one personal mobile device. When developing the IT-support for onboard staff, SJ has also come across the need for an infrastructure. The trial together with Ericsson is of strategic importance for SJ when developing these possibilities.
Public Information in Public
Bluetooth wireless technology makes it possible for users with mobile phones, portable PCs or PDAs to gain access to information services in public places. For example, when consumers enter a railway station, an airport or a shopping mall, they can receive services provided by the local and remote providers using Bluetooth connection between their mobile device and the Bluetooth Access System. These services can be information about special offers from the local storekeepers in the shopping mall or timetable information and seat reservation at the railway station. The trial duration was between April 11 and May 19 , 2000. The phones used in the trials are standard Ericsson R320 WAP phones (available on selected GSM markets) with the Ericsson Bluetooth Phone Adapter (available third quarter this year). It is estimated that by 2005 Bluetooth wireless technology will be a built-in feature in more than 670 million products (according to market researchers Cahners In-Stat Group).
No Wires Attached
Bluetooth wireless technology is set to revolutionize the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections. It is a specification for a low-cost radio solution–with a small-form factor–providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is pushing development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter companies 3Com, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and 1,900 adapter companies. BLUETOOTH is a trademark owned by Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson, Sweden.
Dredgers powered by Wärtsilä NSD
Many of the modern generation of jumbo-sized dredgers are powered by medium-speed diesel engines supplied by the Wärtsilä NSD Corporation. Although designed to undertake a wide range of dredging tasks world-wide, these very large trailing suction hopper dredgers are primarily employed in giant land reclamation projects, particularly those in East Asia.
In recent years, these projects have included land reclamation for the new Hong Kong airport, new container terminals in Singapore and Hong Kong, a new Disney theme park in Hong Kong, etc. The jumbo dredgers, however, are all designed to be highly versatile and capable of worldwide service. They are also used for offshore projects, including seabed leveling for undersea pipelines and the covering of such pipelines, as well as for work on maintaining and improving port access, and on coastal protection projects.
Environmental Exhaust Emissions
An interesting aspect of recent orders of machinery for dredgers is the tighter requirements on exhaust emissions because they are often operating close inshore or in waterways and channels. Although all diesel engines supplied by Wärtsilä NSD comply with the IMO regulation for NOx emissions, owners are increasingly looking for lower levels of emissions.
Expertise Center for Powering Dredgers
Within the Wärtsilä NSD group, there is a center of expertise at the Zwolle factory in the Netherlands to provide specialist engineering support to individual Wärtsilä NSD companies worldwide when they are offering and supplying diesel engines for dredging applications. The benefit of this collective experience is demonstrated by the fact that, in the past five years, Wärtsilä NSD has booked orders for its diesel engines in 32 dredgers around the world, with an aggregate output of 403,975 kW.
Two new Scandic Hotels in Trondheim, Norway
Scandic Hotels has just concluded agreements for two new hotels in Trondheim in Norway. The two hotels, the Hotel Residence and Prinsen Hotel both have excellent locations in the center of Trondheim and will change name to Scandic Hotel Residence and Scandic Hotel Prinsen after the takeover. Scandic already has one hotel in Trondheim on the ring road around the city, about three kilometers from the center.
The Scandic Hotel Residence has 66 rooms and is Trondheim's best hotel location on the main square in the city center. The hotel is easy to reach, both by car and bus, and the majority of Trondheim's attractions are within walking distance. The hotel was renovated at the beginning of this year and is now a high-quality hotel with personality and charm. It may also be extended at some point in the future with an additional 60 rooms. Scandic has acquired the operations and entered into a leasing agreement with the property owner. The actual takeover will take place on 1 June, 2000. Scandic has also signed a franchise agreement with the owner of the Prinsen Hotel, which will be run under the Scandic brand name, as of 1 October, 2000. The hotel has a very good central location–approximately a two-minute walk from the main square and the Scandic Hotel Residence. The hotel has 81 rooms, two restaurants and conference facilities for almost 400 delegates.
Biggest Hotel Chain in Scandinavia
Scandic Hotels AB is the biggest hotel chain in the Scandinavian region, with 133 hotels in 10 countries. Scandic's strategy is to be a dedicated hotel operator. Its business mission is "to offer many people the highest value for money when staying in its hotels, during work and leisure."
SKF acquires Dutch service company
SKF has acquired 70% of the shares in the Dutch service company Machine Support B.V. Machine Support specializes in precision geometric alignment and rotating machine alignment. The company has 35 employees and a turnover of some SEK 30 million. It is located in Ridderkerk, near Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Precision geometric alignment is a expertise area that now is being strengthened in SKF. Machine Support's core business is in the marine and offshore industry. They also supply alignment-related equipment to both original equipment manufacturers and to the after-sales market. The accurate mounting and alignment can be done for seagoing vessels as well as on industrial machinery. The company will continue to develop within these areas, but will also expand into the heavy industry sector.
Growing Internationally
Machine Support will also broaden the services offered to the offshore industry by DEI in Scotland, acquired by SKF earlier this year. Machine Support operates mainly in the Benelux countries, but has also recently established operations in Germany, the United States and Spain. The acquisition is in line with SKF's strategy to expand into the outsourced service markets by, in addition to selling bearings and seals, also sell mechanical services, preventive and predictive maintenance and condition monitoring solutions to improve plant reliability. The benefit for the customers will be higher productivity levels and improved competitiveness.
Training simulators for JAS-39 Gripen
With last week's SEK 114 million order, HiQ has now received orders worth a total of SEK 130 million from the Swedish Defence Material Administration. The new SEK 16 million order is for the enhancement of advanced simulators for training ground staff in JAS- 39 Gripen maintenance.
With last week's SEK 114 million order, HiQ has now received orders worth a total of SEK 130 million from the Swedish Defence Material Administration. The new SEK 16 million order is for the enhancement of advanced simulators for training ground staff in JAS- 39 Gripen maintenance. Simulators are used to train staff in a cost-effective way on how to maintain the aircraft. Different stages, such as how to start the engines, can easily be taught using a computer system rather than the aircraft. These systems save the Swedish National Defence both time and money.
World Leader
"The assignment is a sure sign of our high quality as a consultancy services and advanced defence solutions supplier. It also demonstrates appreciation of the work we have done over the years and secures our position as a world leader within the field," says Lars Stugemo, the CEO of HiQ International. HiQ is an IT and management consultancy company focusing on high-tech telecoms, mobility, and Internet solutions. Formed as recently as 1992, the company is now a leader in these fields and the Nordic region is its domestic market. The Group's turnover in 1999 was SEK 223 million, and the company employs more than 300 people in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
A cool fridge that thinks
The intelligent refrigerator is here. The new "Screenfridge" will help you with grocery shopping and dinner ideas, keep track of what you have in your fridge, and function as a message center for the entire family. This is what Electrolux, the world's largest appliance manufacturer, envisions in our homes in the future. The fridge looks like a normal refrigerator, but is equipped with a computer and a touch screen on the door. The computer equipment is built into the fridge and does not take any of the space away from normal refrigerator functions.
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World's smallest satellite/GSM phone
Ericsson today announced the R190, the world's smallest and lightest satellite/GSM dual mode phone specially designed to work with the ACeS regional geostationary satellite, deployed over the Asia Pacific region. Calls have been placed successfully across the network using the Ericsson R190. Equivalent to a standard GSM phone in design, size and weighing just over 200 grams, the Ericsson R190 phone represents a leap forward for satellite handsets. Ericsson expects to launch the R190 during the second half of 2000.
The Ericsson R190 is capable of operating in both satellite and GSM 900 modes. Once out of cellular range, the phone automatically switches to satellite mode to send or receive calls making it the ideal phone for users travelling to remote areas beyond cellular coverage.
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New air traffic contract in England
The Navia Group via its subsidiary Navia Aviation AS has been selected to supply a NOVA 9000 Air Traffic Control System for surface movement guidance and control to England's Newcastle International Airport. The order includes X-band Surface Movement Radar supplied by Denmark's Terma AS, a controller-display, and a maintenance position. The contract is worth NOK 5.3 million; delivery is scheduled for late 2000.
In addition to automatic labelling and tracking of arriving and departing aircraft, the NOVA 9000 system will include Navia Aviation's unique Runway Incursion Monitoring and Conflict Alert System (RIMCAS). RIMCAS continuously assesses the runway and taxiway traffic situation and dramatically increases a controller's ability to `see´ intruding aircraft and ground vehicles and detect potential conflicts in time to take corrective action.
Seeing Makes for Believing
A NOVA 9002 ATCS for approach radar display has been operational at Newcastle International since 1992. Navia Aviation's NOVA 9000 Air Traffic Control Systems let air traffic controllers see everything moving within operational areas in the air and on the surface regardless of visibility conditions. NOVA 9000 ATCS is in use at some of the world's busiest airports including Kingsford Smith at Sydney, both Charles de Gaulle and Orly, the new Athens airport, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Pusan airports, as well as Birmingham International, Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International and Heathrow and Gatwick in London. Navia ASA has signed a contract to sell Navia Aviation to Northrop Grumman Corp. Closing of the contract is assumed to take place at the end of March, since most of the conditions in the contract are now fulfilled.
Broström changes name and profile
Broström Van Ommeren Shipping AB, the holding company of the Broström Group, will be renamed Broström AB. The company also changes its graphic profile to visualize the relation to the global network of the Dutch logistics and distribution company Royal Vopak.
Broström has during recent years taken important steps in becoming the market leader in marine transportation and logistics services for the global oil and chemical industry. The acquisition of Van Ommeren’s tanker operations and the merger between Van Ommeren and Pakhoed have contributed to strengthen Broström’s market position and have brought Broström into a new phase in the evolution of logistics. In line with this development, the company is now ready for a new corporate graphic profile. Broström has a strong own identity. As part of Vopak's global network we can provide our customers with integrated logistics solutions worldwide. This is now being reflected in our new logotype where we have combined the traditional Brostrm flag with the green colour of Vopak, says Lennart Simonsson, Managing Director of Broström.
Other Name Changes
In connection with the change of graphic profile, three subsidiaries will also change names: United Tankers AB changes to Broström Tankers AB, Van Ommeren Tankers SA changes to Broström Tankers SA, and Ferm International Ship Management AB changes to Broström Ship Management AB.
The change of name of the holding company Broström Van Ommeren Shipping AB to Broström AB will be proposed to the shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting in May 2000.
All Broström ships will soon carry new funnel marks and flags in line with our new logo and their names will have the prefix BRO. The vessels will continue to spread the well-known Broström name on the seven seas.
Swedish armed forces chooses Scania
Scania has signed an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration for the supply of heavy trucks to the armed forces. Up to 200 trucks will be delivered this year, corresponding to an order value of more than SEK 400 million. The Administration has an option to order additional trucks for delivery at a later date.
The deal is the latest example of Scania as an important supplier to military customers. The vehicles, which are adapted for military duty, are fully based on Scania's civilian product concept. This gives access to the whole range of civilian parts and components, as well as Scania’s service network. This has a positive effect not least in terms of operating and maintenance costs.
Added Peace-Keeping Protection
The majority of trucks are Scania P124 CB6x6 with all-wheel-drive. The Multilift swap-body from HIAB Sverige AB will be fitted by Zetterbergs Produkt AB. Some of the trucks intended for international peace-keeping tasks have extra equipment such as additional protection for the cab, including mine shields.
The agreement also comprises a number of Scania P124 CB6x2 vehicles to be used for snow clearance by the Air Force. These trucks are fitted with Opticruse, Scania’s automated gear-changing system.
In addition to Sweden, Scania has supplied vehicles to other armed forces, e.g. in Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. Scania also supplies special-purpose vehicles, for instance, to the UN and the Red Cross for international peace- keeping missions.
Air pollution control goes to Texas
Munters Zeol, a division of the Munters Group, has announced the sale of air pollution control equipment worth SEK 12 million [US$1.4 million] to a world leading Texas-based semiconductor manufacturer.
Munters Zeol will supply three rotor concentrators utilizing Munters’ patented HoneyCombe rotor technology to remove low concentrations of solvent vapors.
Removing Nasty Vapors
A wide variety of manufacturing processes — including spray painting in the automotive and aerospace industries as well as semiconductor manufacturing and wood finishing — use solvents that produce exhaust air that is laden with environmentally harmful solvent vapors, or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Removing these organic vapors is a costly process, because of their low concentrations in the exhaust air stream. With Munters’ Zeol systems, manufacturers significantly reduce their costs for removing these VOCs. Munters’ system is based on Munters HoneyCombe rotor technology. The air stream to be treated is passed through a Munters Honey Combeê rotor impregnated with proprietary zeolites that absorb the VOC molecules. The collected VOCs are removed in a regeneration section and sent to a final treatment unit, typically an oxidizer or a recovery process.
Built-In Redundancy
The system in Texas will remove 98% of the VOCs from emissions. The system has built-in redundancy in that should one rotor concentrator be taken off-line, the other two will automatically increase their processing capacity to treat the entire exhaust flow, allowing the manufacturing operations to continue uninterrupted. Each of the rotor concentrators will be delivered to the site on its own skid to minimize on-site construction and assembly.
Inovent cleared by FDA
The FDA has cleared the INOvent delivery system for commercial distribution in the U.S.A. The clearance follows FDA approval of INOmax (nitric oxide) for inhalation, indicated for the treatment of full-term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure, for use in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate agents.
INOmax is a product of INO Therapeutics, Inc., a global health-care company with expertise in critical care. The company, a subsidiary of the AGA Healthcare division at AGA AB of Sweden, is headquartered in Clinton, New Jersey.
Better Breathing for Babies
The INOvent delivery system is the first system to gain FDA clearance for use in nitric oxide for inhalation therapy. Together with INOmax, the delivery system is expected to help critically ill infants breathe more effectively and to help reduce their need for an invasive surgical procedure known as ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). The INOvent delivery system is CE-marked and has been available in selected EU and other countries since 1998 and is now available worldwide through Datex-Ohmeda’s global sales network.
In North America, the INOvent delivery system will be available under exclusive license through INO Therapeutics. In order to ensure safe and effective delivery of the therapy, INO Therapeutics will provide it as part of a service that includes INOmax, the INOvent delivery system, equipment maintenance and service and round-the-clock support for healthcare professionals. As part of their arrangement, INO Therapeutics and Datex-Ohmeda are also developing new enhancements for the therapy. The two companies announced the alliance in December 1999.
Made in Madison, Wisconsin
The INOvent delivery system delivers a constant concentration of nitric oxide for inhalation independent of the ventilator being used and is designed to maintain critical delivery and monitoring functions under virtually all circumstances. In addition, the highly sensitive system monitors the exact amount of nitric oxide delivered to the patient and shuts down automatically if the actual concentration exceeds the amount preset by the clinician. The INOvent delivery system is developed and manufactured at Datex-Ohmeda’s Madison, Wisconsin facility.
For Finnish Group
The Datex-Ohmeda division represents the largest business (Anesthesia and Critical Care) of the Instrumentarium Corporation headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Instrumentarium is an international health-care company operating in three business segments: Anesthesia and Critical Care, Medical Equipment and Supplies and Optical Retail.
Instrumentarium had sales in 1998 of US$728 million and employs over 5,000 professionals worldwide. Instrumentarium Corporation is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
KONE sets global elevator standard
KONE Corporation of Finland introduced its MonoSpace® elevator sans machine room to the world markets less than four years ago. Today the MonoSpace® concept has become the global standard by which all elevator suppliers and their products are judged.
The KONE Corporation of Finland introduced its MonoSpace® elevator to the global markets less than four years ago. Up to now, the beginning of the year 2000, KONE has booked orders for over 20,000 MonoSpaceê units. The most recent success story comes from Japan, where KONE’s strategic ally Toshiba has sold over 2,500 units in a brief period. This figure represents approximately 10% of the total Japanese market.
First One in Europe
The installation of the first MonoSpace® elevators got underway in Europe in the fall of 1996. During the following three years more than 10,000 of these space-saving units were taken into service. The results have been extremely positive: the elevators are reliable, and they consume considerably less energy than normal elevators.
Volvo Truck of the year 2000
The Volvo FH12 will be crowned "Truck of the Year 2000" at the Amsterdam Truck Show. This makes Volvo the first brand to have won the industry´s most prestigious award five times. The FH12 is also the first model to win the award twice. The FH series was an immediate success when it was introduced in 1993. It was named "Truck of the Year" in 1994.
The new Volvo FH12´s has undergone extensive modifications with a new driveline, a completely new electrical system, a new chassis with disk brakes, and an EBS (Electronic Brake System). "Numerous tests by the press in Europe have shown that the Volvo FH12 is not only an extremely comfortable and safe truck to drive, it also provides its owner with economical operations at the absolute highest level in Europe," states the Truck of the Year jury in its opinion.
The Jury Is In
The jury also writes: "All in all, the majority of the jury feel that the Volvo FH12 is, at present, one of the market´s most attractive trucks, in no small part due to the fact that it is a further refinement of an already well-tested, winning concept of which 150,000 vehicles have been sold up to now. If its 'cousins' the VN and FM are included, the figure increases to a rather sensational 230,000 vehicles."