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Balluff Acquires Capacitive-Sensor Manufacturer

German-based capacitive-sensor manufacturer SIE Sensorik, with U.S. offices in Toledo, OH, has been acquired by Balluff, Inc., a manufacturer of inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, magnetoresistive, magnetostrictive, RFID and vision sensors. Balluff, a subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, maintains its North American headquarters is in Florence, KY; www.balluff.com. SIE will be fully integrated into the global operations of Balluff.

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Caterpillar Names Lincoln Electric Outstanding Supplier

The Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, OH, received the Caterpillar Supplier Quality Excellence Process Certification according to the MQ11005 standard. Lincoln Electric, a Caterpillar certified supplier since 1991, becomes the first welding-consumable manufacturer to deceive the designation. Caterpillar’s new certification program recognizes suppliers that are working toward zero defects in the manufacturing process. It combines third-party ISO 9001:2000 registration and full ISO/TS 16949:2002 compliance along with Caterpillar-unique elements taken from the new MP11005 principles. Only suppliers with a demonstrated history of success using Six Sigma are eligible for the certification. Lincoln Electric is online at www.lincolnelectric.com.

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Coil-Processing Seminar Includes Plant Tour

Red Bud Industries, Red Bud, IL, will host a coil-processing seminar in West Chester (Cincinnati), OH, on June 24 at the Wingate by Windham & Meridian Conference Center. Attendees will learn about blanking and multiblanking, leveling, and slitting, as well as the SCS and EPS processes for hot-rolled black material. Featured speakers include Dean Linders, vice president of marketing and sales for Red Bud; Eric Theis, formerly of Herr-Voss and now a consultant; Al Zelt, an expert in slitting technology; and Kevin Voges, president of The Material Works. The seminar will conclude with a tour of United Performance Metals in Hamilton, OH. Learn more at www.redbudindustries.com.

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