IN FOCUS

Sulzer makes drastic changes: Medical Devices and Surface and Materials Technology form the core of the new corporate strategy. These areas offer potential for high growth and profitability. As a consequence of the new strategic direction, new owners will be sought over the next several months for five business units (Infra, Pumps, Textil, Turbo and Burckhardt) with a total of over 14’600 employees. At the same time, Sulzer plans to make acquisitions of over CHF 2 billion within two years. Sulzer Medica Ltd will merge with Sulzer Ltd – this is subject to the approval of their shareholders. The strategic rea lignment will lead to a reduction of approximately 300 jobs in corporate services world-wide, half of which in Switzerland. Throughout this transition, Sulzer will honor its social obligations to its employees.

Pump manufacturers will find in the product line Spaix® a complete range of pump selection software, web applications and data administration tools to cover multiple tasks with only one database. The software supplier VSX, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of such software, aims to further improving its market position with that strategy.

IDEX Reports Record Third Quarter Results; Similar Fourth Quarter Anticipated; Record Year Expected

Pentair’s 3rd Quarter EPS in Line with Revised Expectations, Sales Up 18%; Water and Enclosures Groups Continue Strong Growth Momentum

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 16, 2000–National-Oilwell, Inc. (NYSE:NOI) announced that its backlog as of September 30, 2000 increased to $180 million, up from $142 million at June 30, 2000 and from $49 million a year ago.

On October 10, Grundfos officially opened a new production factory in Tatabánya, Hungary, in the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Joachim, as well as representatives of the Hungarian government and others. The new 14,500 sq m factory will hold Group motor production.

World-Class Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement Cited

spaix.net the global and comprehensive search engine for centrifugal pumps with detailed technical selection and configuration facilities and integrated B2B functions was presented at the Pump Users International Forum 2000 in Karlsruhe with a great feedback of the forum’s participants and visitors. At the same time this service launched online on the web.

This site interacts with a printed magazine, also called here, and aims to help Alfa Laval’s partners develop their business.

Denmark

As the first large company in Denmark, Grundfos on October 9 received the certificate of the OHSAS 18001 standard (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). The certificate was presented by the Danish Standards Association.