The experience and expertise of Schneider Electric for over 50 years in busway has resulted in another milestone in the world of electricity by introducing “Canalis” and “I-Line,” a simple and innovative technology for lighting and power distribution market. This was in focus at its seminars held recently in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar. For lighting busways up to 40 amperes, whatever the type of light fitting, all Schneider’s lighting distribution solutions are based on Canalis technology. Using Canalis lighting bus ways, customers will optimize their installation and investment. “Our installation is safely assembled according to standards. Also, this is an opportunity for customers to highlight their expertise through quick implementation with a clean, flexible and aesthetic installation,” a company executive said. For power busways, I-line busway is designed with maximum flexibility, ease of installation and electrical efficiency in the distribution of power of 600V and below, for both commercial and industrial applications.
Panasonic
Panasonic is increasing its plasma display production capacity with a $1.6 billion investment toward developing the world’s largest plasma screen manufacturing plant in Amagaski Japan, according to its parent company Matsushita. The plant is expected to hit full capacity by March 2009 and will be able to produce the equivalent of 500,000 forty two-inch plasma panels a month, or six million a year, increasing Matsushita’s overall capacity to 11 million screens annually. The move puts Panasonic in a position to take up to 40 percent of the world’s plasma screen market, which is expected to grow 200 percent from current figures to touch 10 million by the end of 2006, and hit 25 million by 2010. “Panasonic is looking to expand its operations in line with anticipated demand.” Seiji Koyanagi, MD, Panasonic marketing Middle East, said. Plasma screen technology is rapidly taking off not just in the Middle East region but also globally and is expected to become the standard for displays in the future.
Mobily/Axalto
Axalto has been awarded a contract by Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily), the second mobile operator in Saudi Arabia, to supply an initial one million USIM cards for third-generation high-end services. The Axalto large capacity USIM features a wide variety of value-added applications such as Web browsing, information on demand, infotainment services and automatic handset configuration. Through this contract, Axalto and Mobily aim to serve the fast-growing Saudi market by offering advanced 3G services. Card deliveries started in February. Since its launch less than a year ago, Mobily has enjoyed very strong growth. In the first three months of operation, Mobily secured 1.2 million subscribers and to date, it has reached the 2.5 million mark. The Axalto cards will allow Mobily to provide their subscribers with interactive access to dynamic content and innovative services tailored to their specific needs. “We selected Axalto for their strong regional presence and technological leadership,” Mobily’s Technical Marketing Khaled M. Khatib said.
Global
Global Investment House (Global) announced on Monday that it has received “The Deal of the Year” award from the renowned magazine The Banker, one of the Financial Times Business publications. The award was presented to Omar El-Quqa, executive vice president of Global in an event held at the Fairmont hotel in Dubai on Sunday. The award was given to Global for its role as co-lead manager in the initial public offering for Investcom late in 2005. The organizers have considered the deal as one of the hottest IPOs of the region in 2005. It is the largest international equity offering ever by a Middle Eastern company and the first to list on the newly formed Dubai based stock exchange, Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX).
Porsche
In addition to the 911, Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is presenting another new automobile at the Geneva Motor Show. The new 911 GT3 is being unveiled to the world public for the very first time today. In the 911 model range, the abbreviation GT3 stands for pure, unadulterated driving pleasure. With its uncompromising dynamics, this model impresses not only in normal day-to-day driving but also n the racetrack. The 305-kW 3.6-liter flat-twin engine produces a specific output of 84.7 kilowatts per liter of displacement. This performance places the new-generation GT3 in its displacement class at the pinnacle of road-legal production sports cars with naturally aspirated engines. The six-cylinder engine reaches its nominal output at 7.600 rpm. At 8,400 rpm, the engine speed limit again lies 200 revolutions higher than for the previous model. This makes it a world leader in its engine-size class. In addition to this high engine speed concept, the optimized airflow rate considerably improves performance.
TRACK
The American International Business Training Association (IBTA), an international knowledge-centered organization with 164 partners in the US, Canada, Asia, Middle East, Australia, Latin America and the Caribbean, assigned Track as its sole distributor in the Middle East and North Africa regions for its business skills training program, Certified Business Professional (CBP). “There is a high-growth rate in the Middle East and North Africa region due to the influx of new businesses. Along side with this, the need for a valuable business skills program is on the rise. However, some training programs offered in the market are not internationally accredited and are sometimes lacking in quality and credibility,” expressed Gabriela Creed, the international channel manager at IBTA.
Gulf Energy
Gulf Energy on Saturday announced the appointment of senior European energy experts, Bernard de Combret and Harald Norvik, to the International Advisory Board of the multi-billion dollar Energy City Qatar (ECQ) project. Announcing the appointment, Esam Janahi, chairman of Gulf Energy said, “We are delighted at Combret’s and Norvik’s acceptance of places on the expert International Advisory Board of the first energy business center in the region. Energy City Qatar will benefit not only the leading companies who will locate within it, but also the whole region, and the entire energy spectrum worldwide.”