Business briefs

San Jose Calif.-based nLayers, a real-time discovery and resource optimization firm, closed a $6 million Series B round in financing that Waiden Israel and Gemini Israel Funds led. The company will expand its OEM channel through key partnerships with multiple system management vendors.

Over the next three years, Bosch Rexroth AG will invest euro83 million (more than $109 million) to expand its production capacities in China, beginning with the construction of a new factory in Beijing.

Delving deeper into the hybrid process applications segment, Rockwell Automation, Inc. is working with Endress+Hauser to give customers more convenient, standards-compliant methods for configuring a wide range of process instruments. The companies will expand device connectivity and configuration capabilities using standard technologies such as Foundation fieldbus and HART.

Algerian oil company Naftec Spa offered Honeywell a $60 million contract for an automation project at its refinery in Arzew, Algeria. Honeywell will modernize the refinery's instrumentation systems and help the plant maintain a safe and consistent operating environment. Completion should occur in 2009.

As part of a comprehensive plant upgrade to support a 20-year operating license extension for its Fort Calhoun plant, Omaha Public Power District's 500-megawatt nuclear power station will host an Invensys Process System Foxboro-brand I/A Series distributed control and data acquisition system.

Sensicast Systems, a provider of wireless sensor networking products and solutions, broadened its temperature and humidity monitoring product line and signed a distribution and partnership agreement with B&B Electronics, a design, manufacturing, and distribution company.

Invensys has chosen ExperTune's PlantTriage performance monitoring system to underpin its comprehensive new process control loop management services.

Barcoding Inc., a service provider of automated data collection and wireless communication systems, has a new wireless network analysis and security audits service for Wi-Fi as part of the company's Wireless Builders division, which provides site surveys, installation, integration, and repairs for data collection products and wireless networks.

Ember Corporation and Mototech, a Taiwan-based ODM/OEM firm, formed a partnership to offer Mototech's contract design and manufacturing services to Ember customers, using expertise in integrating Ember's IEEE 802.15.4 wireless semiconductor systems into a range of electronics for home and building automation, entertainment, and other low-power network applications.

Honeywell received a $1.3 million contract from Finnish printing house Lapin Kansa Oy to automate its printing press extension and upgrade an existing Honeywell system installed in 1987. The two systems will be fully integrated using the latest automation technology. The project is scheduled for start-up in July 2005.

Yokogawa has joined Honeywell's PKS Advantage Program, a collaborative effort allowing third-party vendors to integrate their products with Honeywell's Experion Process Knowledge System. The Program gives customers greater flexibility in choosing field solutions for their businesses.

Honeywell is working on a multimillion dollar automation project with engineering services contractor Parsons FluorDaniel (PFD)-part of a $3 billion asset development program that will expand operations at Tengizchevroil's (TCO) oilfield in Tengiz, Kazakhstan.

Career moves

ZMD AG, a provider of application specific integrated circuits for sensor and wireless applications, appointed David Sanchez distribution sales and marketing manager for the North American standard products (ASSP) business unit.

Glacier Computer, a developer of industrial computer systems for harsh environments, promoted Dan Poisson of Brookline, N.H., to Vice President of Operations.

TRUMPF Inc. named Annette Doyle its new training manager responsible for a program offering classes for customers with new or previously owned equipment.

The Board of Directors of BioCrossroads, Indiana's life sciences initiative, chose David Johnson, a partner at the Indianapolis law firm Baker & Daniels, as the replacement for departing CEO Charles Schalliol, now selected to lead the Indiana Office of Management and Budget.

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