BRIEFCASE NEW PAT & OSCAR'S OPENING AT MALL.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

SHERMAN OAKS - Worldwide Restaurant Concepts Inc., formerly known as Sizzler International Inc., announced on Wednesday the opening of its 14th Pat & Oscar's restaurant.

The eatery is located at the Ontario Mills mall in western San Bernardino County.

The company plans to open four or five more restaurants in the next fiscal year. Worldwide Restaurant Concepts operates, franchises or joint- ventures 337 Sizzler restaurants worldwide, 107 KFC restaurants primarily located in Queensland, Australia, and 14 Pat & Oscar's restaurants.

The company relocated its headquarters to the Sherman Oaks Galleria earlier this year and changed its name.

3D, DSM team in OptoForm deal

VALENCIA - 3D Systems Corp. and DSM Desotech Inc. announced on Wednesday a joint venture - OptoForm LLC - to develop and market new equipment and materials for rapid tooling and direct and indirect in-line manufacturing processes.

The materials will include ceramics, composite tooling materials and toughened plastics. This technology is expected to open up new markets aimed at producing more functional parts.

Research and development activities are taking place in both 3D Systems' facility in Valencia and in DSM Desotech's Somos facility in New Castle, Del.

Defense company to confirm sales

CENTURY CITY - Northrop Grumman Corp. announced Wednesday that it will confirm previously announced financial guidance in a meeting with investors today.

The financial guidance reflects the acquisition of Newport News Shipbuilding, and the issuance of common stock and equity security units of about $1.45 billion.

The global aerospace and defense company will confirm the following guidance:

--Sales in 2001 of about $13 billion.

--Sales in 2002 of $18 billion.

--Sales in 2003 of $20 billion.

--Economic earnings per share of $5.80 to $5.95 in 2001, $6.60 to $7.10 in 2002, and double-digit growth in 2003.

--Cash generated from operations in 2002 is expected to be in the range of $800 million.

Beam to measure Disneyland riders

ANAHEIM - Disneyland will use an ultrasound beam to record height that will ensure kids are tall enough for rides.

Until now, children have been measured at each ride by standing under lines drawn on signs or posts. There were some instances of kids standing on their tippy toes or those who pleaded with ride operators to get on board.

The device bounces an ultrasound beam from a paddle placed atop the child's head, then lights up white, orange, blue or green - colors that correspond with wristbands indicating which attractions are safe for them.

Disneyland has been testing the device since Dec. 5. Guest response has been positive. It is not known when the device will be used permanently.

Hawaiian airlines announce merger

HONOLULU - Hawaii's two interisland airlines announced a merger Wednesday. Gov. Ben Cayetano said the combining of Hawaiian and Aloha airlines likely would lead to higher fares and layoffs, but that the state will not oppose it.

The airlines, however, said they agreed to freeze unrestricted interisland fares for two years and to link them to inflation and other industrywide cost increases for three years after that.

The merged airline will be operated by a new company to be headed by Greg Brenneman, who led Continental Airlines to its turnaround as its president and chief operating officer.