Hot Off the Press

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Gibbs Wire & Steel Launches Updated Website

Wire and strip distributor and processor Gibbs Wire & Steel Co., Southington, CT, has a new website featuring a daily-updated list of finished coil stock available for discounted purchase and same-day shipment. Also new is a Technical Tool Box section that includes coil-conversion calculators and a toll-processing calculator. Lastly, visit the website to stay current on monthly nickel-chromium surcharges; www.gibbswire.com/.

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Lubrication-Products Website Gets a Facelift

Unist, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI, has updated its website with a new look and feel, with updated features including easier access to product information and documentation, and a growing video library. The firm manufactures lubrication systems for metalforming and metal cutting; www.unist.com/.

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Robotics Industry Off to a Record Start

North American robotics companies enjoyed one of the industry’s strongest opening quarters ever, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), Ann Arbor, MI. North American robotics companies received orders for more than 5000 robots, valued at $344 million, through March, a 27-percent increase compared to the same period in 2011 and a 30-percent increase in dollars. Also, during the first quarter robotics companies shipped 4605 robots valued at $299.6 million, the best opening quarter ever for shipments, according to RIA president Jeff Burnstein. “Activity is especially strong among automotive OEMs and tier suppliers,” says Burnstein, “where robot orders jumped 42 percent in the first quarter over a year ago. In fact, automotive-related orders accounted for 65 percent of the new orders in the first quarter of 2012. Nonautomotive orders grew six percent.”

RIA is online at www.robotics.org/.

 

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