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APRIL 2001 INDUSTRY NEWS

Fisher-Rosemount Renamed Emerson Process

AUSTIN, TX - Emerson Process Management is the new name for the former Fisher-Rosemount, reflecting the company's comprehensive offering of products and technologies, expanded industry-specific consulting and management services and its strong synergies with St. Louis-based parent company Emerson.

The announcement marks the company's recent growth and repositioning to deliver integrated business solutions for customers. The name change and adoption of a new logo, both of which become effective immediately, complement a corporatewide branding strategy launched by Emerson in December 2000.

"Simply carrying a broad line of leading products and technologies isn't enough today," said John Berra, executive vice president of Emerson with responsibility for the process management business. "Customers are looking for suppliers with experience in bringing together superior technologies and engineering expertise to create industry-specific and customer-specific applications that can help them grow their business continuously and efficiently over the long term. Emerson Process Management is uniquely positioned to be that supplier of choice."

US ANSI Introduces New Process to Track Changes to Standards Procedures

NEW YORK, NY - ANSI is pleased to announce a new process designed to enable all interested parties to monitor changes to the procedures that govern standards development. This new process is intended to help users understand the implications of those changes within the context of the document's current version and is consistent with the principal of transparency as articulated in the National Standards Strategy.

This new, user-friendly process creates a 'living document' wherein users can view the on going revisions of the ANSI, Council, Board and International procedures. Updated versions of the various procedures that are maintained by the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC) are now available on ANSI Online in the Reference Library under "ANSI Procedures: Updates Since 1/01 Editions" at http://www.ansi.org/public/library/revise/procedure_updates.html

These documents incorporate procedural revisions approved by the ANSI National Issues Committee (NIC) in March 2001. After each NIC meeting at which procedural revisions are approved similar updates will be posted including a list of the clauses for which revisions have been approved and the effective date of each revision.

As this is a new procedural maintenance method, the ExSC will be discussing their policy relative to the establishment of effective dates at their upcoming May 22-23, 2001 meeting. Periodically the ExSC will also issue new editions of the procedures that will incorporate all approved revisions since the last edition of the documents.

MKS INSTRUMENTS Announced First Quarter Shares

ANDOVER, MA -Semiconductor test equipment maker MKS Instruments Inc. said that first-quarter earnings fell 30 percent and warned that sales for the rest of 2001 will continue to decline due to softness in the semiconductor industry. The company said profits for the period ended March 31, excluding merger costs related to the acquisition of ASTex, were $9.2 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with $13.2 million, or 37 cents per share a year ago. MKS said it posted a net loss after the charges related to the acquisition of $2.1 million, or 6 cents per share.

New ISO 9000 & ISO 14000 Publications Available

NEW YORK, NY - The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has announced the availability of new publications that deal with ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 implementation strategies as well as a directory of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 accreditation and certification bodies.

Companies planning to implement the ISO 14000 environmental management system will be interested in buying the new edition of the ISO Standards Compendium, ISO 14000 Environmental management, that contains the 20 published documents that comprise the ISO 14000 family. The new compendium includes two recent standards documents on environmental performance evaluation (ISO 14031 and ISO/TR 14032) and four new ones on life cycle assessment (ISO 14041, ISO 14042, ISO 14043:200 and ISO/TR 14049), which is a technique for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product. Established in 1993, ISO 14000 standards seek to provide a framework for businesses to manage the impact of their activities on the environment and continually improve their environmental performance.

Available from ISO both electronically and in hard copy, Quality management principles and ISO 9000--Selection and use are designed to assist organizations in understanding and implementing the recently revised ISO 9000:2000 series. ISO believes Quality management principles will be especially relevant to certification bodies that audit organization's quality systems and issue ISO 9000 certificates and for the national accreditation bodies that approve the competence of certification bodies. ISO 9000--Selection and use includes updates that take into account the new ISO 9001:2000 standards as well as:

  • A list of the ISO 9000 quality management system standards and guidelines
  • Examples of typical applications of the documents
  • A step-by-step process to implement a quality management system
  • A brief view of the future evolution of the ISO 9000 family

Intellution Helps to Guide FDA-Regulated Industries Toward 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance

FOXBOROUGH, MA - Intellution Inc., a business of Emerson And leading supplier of industrial automation solutions, today announced the availability of a white paper designed to help companies regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to move towards compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 - a regulation which establishes the criteria under which electronic records and electronic signatures will be considered equivalent to paper records and handwritten signatures executed on paper.

"The 21 CFR Part 11 regulation is having a tremendous impact on all FDA-regulated businesses," said Bob Yeager, President of Intellution. "By commissioning this white paper, Intellution continues its ongoing commitment to customers working within regulated industries and provides a clear, concise, definitive guide on using Intellution products as key components in the development of compliant systems, policies and procedures."

The white paper was created as a result of an independent, third party, audit of Intellution software provided by Stelex Inc. - a consulting firm providing regulatory and validation services and solutions to FDA-regulated companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics sector. Jointly developed by Intellution and Stelex, the white paper contains an overview of 21 CFR Part 11, a comprehensive evaluation of Intellution's product offerings and their role in developing compliant systems, as well as a set of recommendations for best practices and software solutions designed to meet the intent of Part 11 regulations. Through the information contained in this 30-plus page document, Intellution delivers a powerful tool to help develop compliant solutions and clarify the options available to FDA-regulated customers using Intellution's existing products.

Covering all relevant 21 CFR Part 11 topics (including security, electronic records/electronic signatures, and validation/documentation concerns), the white paper provides customers with a full set of checklists for Intellution's FIX and iFIX family of HMI/SCADA solutions. By employing the use of these checklists, users can quickly evaluate their Intellution implementations and review recommendations on how to move towards compliance.

Varian, Inc. Reports Increased Q2 Revenues and EPS; Includes Record

PALO ALTO, CA - Varian, Inc. reported financial results which included solid growth in sales and earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2001, ended March 30, 2001, compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2000.

Sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2001 reached an all-time high, up 13% in local currency revenues. The term "local currency revenues" means sales adjusted for the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. Including currency effects, reported sales grew 10% to a record $194 million.

Operating earnings for the second quarter of 2001 grew 24% to $21.3 million, up from $17.1 in the second quarter of fiscal 2000. Second quarter net earnings were $12.9 million, or $0.37 diluted earnings per share, compared to $10.2 million, or $0.30 diluted earnings per share in the fiscal 2000 period.

Sypris Solutions Reports First Quarter Earnings

LOUISVILLE, KY - Sypris Solutions, Inc. has reported first quarter earnings of $0.10 per diluted share, which represented an increase from $0.02 per diluted share for the same quarter in 2000. Net income for the first quarter increased to $1.0 million from $0.2 million for the same quarter in 2000, which included special charges of $1.2 million after tax for expenses incurred to consolidate certain operations within the Company's Electronics Group. Revenue increased 14% to $58.0 million for the first quarter from $50.7 million for the prior year period.

We are pleased with the underlying progress we have made in the first quarter," said Jeffrey T. Gill, president and chief executive officer. "Revenue growth is beginning to reflect the significant increase in orders and backlog the Company has generated over the past year. As we had indicated earlier, margins will likely continue to be impacted by costs associated with the start up of new programs, the scarcity of certain electronic components and the depressed state of the heavy-duty truck market. We believe, however, that our continued investment in people, technology and systems during this period will be of significant benefit to the Company over the longer-term."

AMETEK Achieves Record Results

PAOLI, PA - AMETEK, Inc. announced first quarter results that established records for sales, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share.

AMETEK's first quarter 2001 sales of $264.1 million increased 3% over the same period of 2000 as a result of acquisitions made during 2000 and stronger demand for aerospace and power instrumentation. Operating income for the first quarter of 2001 reached $35.7 million, a 5% increase over the same period of 2000. Net income totaled $18.3 million, up 9% from $16.8 million in the first quarter of 2000. Diluted earnings per share rose 6% to $.55 per share from the first quarter 2000 level of $.52 per share.

"AMETEK's strong first quarter performance in a challenging economic environment is the result of continued solid execution of our Four Growth Strategies," commented Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK chairman and chief executive officer.

"As the economy continued to weaken during the quarter, we decided to make further reductions in our cost structure. These actions are in addition to those announced in the fourth quarter of 2000. We remain committed to adjusting our cost structure to the reality of the economic environment," added Mr. Hermance.

LeCroy third quarter net up 37 percent

CHESTNUT RIDGE, NY - LeCroy Corp. on Wednesday reported third quarter net income rose 37 percent on market demand for its new digital oscilloscope product, used by computer engineers to perform sophisticated measurements.

The Chestnut Ridge, New York-based company said net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 was $2.6 million, or 27 cents per diluted share, compared with net of $1.9 million, or 23 cents per diluted share a year ago.

The company said revenues for the third quarter rose nearly 20 percent to a record $37.1 million, compared with $31.0 million for the year-earlier third quarter. Third-quarter operating income grew to $3.3 million, from $2.9 million a year ago.

The company also said its pipeline of additional new products will expand LeCroy's markets and enable it double its oscilloscope revenues over the next three to four years. "We are well on our way toward accomplishing this goal," said Tom Reslewic, president and chief operating officer. "Fully 65% of the record $37.1 million in sales we posted for the third quarter came from products introduced within the past six months," Reslewic said. Shares of LeCroy closed at $15.90 on Nasdaq Tuesday. The share's 52-week range is $9.375 to $28.

Teradyne Announces First Quarter Results

BOSTON, MA - Teradyne, Inc. reported sales of $605.2 million and income, excluding the impact of special charges of $8.2 million pretax, of $59.7 million ($0.33 per share) for the First Quarter of 2001. Orders for the First Quarter of 2001 totaled $357.1 million.

In commenting on the recent quarter, George Chamillard, Teradyne's chairman and chief executive officer, said that "The numerous pre-announcements of sales and earnings reductions for the first quarter are a clear indication that many, if not most, technology companies today have less than one quarter's visibility. Going into January, Teradyne had a deteriorating environment in semiconductor test, but we had businesses in other segments that were bucking the trend and that we thought might escape the fall-off. Most of our European customers in all businesses were relatively bullish at that time, as were the customers for our backplane and connector products and our electronic manufacturing services. Over the course of the quarter, however, those conditions changed. By the end of March, the combination of a weakening U.S. economy, concern for the health for the economies of Japan and Korea, excess production capacity and weak demand increased inventory levels, which drove our customers for all of our businesses in every geographic region into a defensive position."

PerkinElmer Exceeds Expectations With Record First Quarter Earnings

BOSTON, MA - PerkinElmer, Inc. reported record first quarter net income of $32.7 million, up 21% over the first quarter of last year. First quarter adjusted cash earnings per share of $0.63, up 17% over last year, marked the 14th consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth.

"In spite of a softer and more uncertain economic environment, our businesses again delivered very strong earnings growth. This is a testament to the strength of our management processes, the depth of our organization, and our intense focus on productivity and quality," said Gregory L. Summe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Revenue for the quarter grew 6% to $426 million on a reported basis, adjusted for the stronger dollar revenue growth was 8%. Operating margins for the quarter expanded by 280 basis points to 14.3%. Productivity gains across all businesses continue to deliver significant bottom line benefits.

Electro Rent Corp. Third Quarter Net Income Increases 39% to $0.30 Per Diluted Share From $0.22

VAN NUYS, CA -Electro Rent Corp. announced that net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 ended Feb. 28, 2001, increased 39% to $7.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.

This compares with net income of $5.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2000. Revenue for the quarter was $50.8 million vs. $59.1 million for the same period last year. For the nine months ended Feb. 28, 2001, net income increased 40% to $25.1 million, or $1.01 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $18.0 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2000. Revenue was $162.6 million compared with $183.3 million for last year's first nine months.

``Our business, like others, has been subject to crosscurrents of uncertainty and caution that presently exist in the technology sector. We have yet to see signs of improvement on the computer side of the business,'' said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Greenberg.

New US/Canada Arrangement Adds Value To Laboratory Accreditation

GAITHERSBURG, MD - Testing and calibration laboratories accredited by NACLA-recognized accreditation bodies will now have their accreditation recognized in Canada, thanks to its signing of a bilateral recognition arrangement with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).

SCC is Canada's federal crown corporation that oversees the National Standards System. Its Program for Acccreditation of Laboratories - Canada (PALCAN) has accredited more than 250 laboratories in a variety of general testing and specialty areas, including calibration facilities.

To date, three U.S. accreditation bodies have been recognized by NACLA and are signatories to the NACLA mutual recognition arrangement (MRA): the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the International Conference of Building Officials Evaluation Service (ICBO ES), and the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).

The NACLA-SCC Bilateral Arrangement, which was signed at the NACLA annual meeting on April 3, 2001, will mean an increase in the bottom line for laboratories in the U.S. and Canada that operate in both countries given that it has the potential to reduce redundant accreditations and the costs of associated assessment activities. It will also promote mutual acceptance of testing and calibration results in both countries.

"This arrangement is a major accomplishment because it represents NACLA's first step into the international recognition arena," said Don Heirman, of Lucent Technologies, NACLA President. According to Peter Clark, SCC executive director, "the arrangement facilitates trade through the support of NAFTA principles and the reduction of technical barriers. That saves Canadian exporters the expense of retesting their products every time they want to sell their products in the U.S."

Laboratory accreditation is the formal recognition of the competence of a testing or calibration laboratory to perform particular tests. Many clients and regulators require laboratories to be accredited before they will accept their test results.

National Instruments Reports Double-Digit Growth in Revenue and Earnings

AUSTIN, TX - National Instruments announced revenue of $108.1 million for the first quarter of 2001. This represents 15 percent revenue growth in U.S. dollar terms over the same period last year and 21 percent in local currency terms; both are in line with preliminary results released April 2, 2001.

"Our continued strong growth in this current economic climate demonstrates the value we offer our customers," said James Truchard, NI President and CEO. "I am very excited about the initiatives we have under way right now in R&D, both in incremental new product development and in major initiatives that represent breakthrough innovation for NI and the industry." In the first quarter of this year, the geographic breakdown of revenue growth in U.S. dollars as compared to first quarter 2000 was as follows: Americas, 16 percent revenue growth; Europe, 6 percent revenue growth; and Asia, 30 percent revenue growth. In local currency terms, revenue was up 16 percent in the Americas, 24 percent in Europe, and 31 percent in Asia. Excluding a foreign exchange loss for the quarter of $1.4 million, diluted earnings per share for first quarter 2001 was $0.28. Including this foreign exchange loss, diluted earnings per share for first quarter 2001 was $0.26.

"Because half of our business is done overseas, the renewed strength of the U.S. dollar had a negative effect on our results, reducing our revenues by $4.0 million sequentially," said Alex Davern, CFO of NI. "However, we are pleased with how we managed the business during this tough quarter. With a 15 percent increase in U.S. dollar revenues and a 14 percent increase in expenses, we matched our long-term model and delivered an 18.4 percent operating margin."

Currently, NI expects revenue growth in U.S. dollars for the second and third quarters of 2001 to be in the range of 7 to 15 percent over the same periods in 2000, increasing to a range of 12 to 20 percent growth in the fourth quarter. Depending on the U.S. economy, NI anticipates revenue for the year will be in the range of $450 million to $475 million, and diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.06 to $1.22. If the economy rebounds in the second half of 2001, NI expects to be in the upper end of the range; if not, the Company expects to be in the lower end.

U.S. ANSI Introduces New Process to Track Changes to Standards Procedures

NEW YORK - ANSI is pleased to announce a new process designed to enable all interested parties to monitor changes to the procedures that govern standards development. This new process is intended to help users understand the implications of those changes within the context of the document's current version and is consistent with the principal of transparency as articulated in the National Standards Strategy.

This new, user-friendly process creates a 'living document' wherein users can view the on going revisions of the ANSI, Council, Board and International procedures. Updated versions of the various procedures that are maintained by the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC) are now available on ANSI Online in the Reference Library under "ANSI Procedures: Updates Since 1/01 Editions" at http://www.ansi.org/public/library/revise/procedure_updates.html

These documents incorporate procedural revisions approved by the ANSI National Issues Committee (NIC) in March 2001. After each NIC meeting at which procedural revisions are approved similar updates will be posted including a list of the clauses for which revisions have been approved and the effective date of each revision.

As this is a new procedural maintenance method, the ExSC will be discussing their policy relative to the establishment of effective dates at their upcoming May 22-23, 2001 meeting. Periodically the ExSC will also issue new editions of the procedures that will incorporate all approved revisions since the last edition of the documents.

GenRad Affirms First Quarter 2001 Loss

WESTFORD, MA - GenRad, Inc., a global leader in electronics testing and manufacturing solutions, today stated that losses for the first quarter would be between $9.6 million and $10.6 million, or from $0.34 to $0.37 per share. The figure excludes approximately $3.0 million in charges associated with work force reductions and other restructuring expenses, which amount to $0.07 per share.

During the company's conference call with investors on February 8, GenRad executives said the company would report a loss for its traditionally slow first quarter ended March 31, 2001. The worldwide economic downturn reduced the company's order pipeline from its large manufacturing customers.

Anticipating a capital spending downturn by its global customers, GenRad management initiated counter-measures last year. Those continuing actions include reducing work force by 10 percent; out-sourcing printed circuit board manufacturing; consolidating final test and assembly of products into a single location in Westford, MA; and accelerating integration of last year's business acquisitions.

Robert M. Dutkowsky, GenRad chairman, president and CEO stated, "Late in 2000, we foresaw the potential impact of an economic slowdown and the implications for our own business. As a result, we began taking preemptive steps to minimize the impact of those developments. We continue to aggressively manage our expenses and remain clearly focused on developing and delivering products that will lead our customers back to increased production volumes, greater productivity and enhanced competitiveness."

GenRad will release its first quarter 2001 results at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24 with an investors' conference call at 10 a.m. At that time the company will provide its outlook for the second quarter.

Anderson to Head Electronics and Electrical Engineering Lab

GAITHERSBURG, MD - William E. Anderson has been named as director of NIST's Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory. He has served as acting director of EEEL since 1999.

EEEL provides the fundamental basis for all electrical measurements in the United States. In close consultation with industry, research and calibration programs are tailored to meet the most critical measurement needs for the manufacture and operation of electrical and electronic systems, including semiconductor, magnetic, radio-frequency, microwave, optical, optoelectronic and superconducting equipment; flat-panel displays; electronic instrumentation; and electrical power apparatus and systems. Other programs are working on quantum standards for more accurate fundamental electrical units, measurements critical to the development of advanced technologies (such as high-temperature superconductors) and standards for the law enforcement community.

Anderson joined NIST in 1972 as a presidential intern and initially was responsible for high-voltage metrology in the Electricity Division. In 1988, he became leader of EEEL's Applied Electrical Measurements Group. In 1993, Anderson was detailed to the NIST Program Office, ultimately assuming the role of senior program analyst. He returned to EEEL in 1994 to become chief of the Electricity Division, a position which he held until becoming deputy director of the laboratory in 1999.

Anderson earned a bachelor of science in physics in 1968 from the University of Minnesota, and received both his masters of science (1970) and doctorate (1971) degrees in physics from the University of Missouri.

MKS Instruments Announces Acquisition of On-Line Technologies

ANDOVER, MA - MKS Instruments, Inc., a leading supplier of gas measurement, control and analysis products used in semiconductor and other advanced thin-film manufacturing processes, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire On-Line Technologies Inc., a leading supplier of measurement and control products used for gas analysis, wafer metrology and process control. The acquisition further expands MKS' comprehensive suite of best-in-class products and is part of the Company's ongoing strategy to expand its product and technology portfolio. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.

On-Line, based in East Hartford, CT, designs and manufactures an advanced range of gas analysis and wafer metrology products based on its proprietary FTIR spectrometer as well as complementary analysis and control software. The gas analysis products allow semiconductor manufacturers and capital equipment makers to maximize their productivity and environmental compliance by providing fast and accurate composition data on the gas streams used in advanced manufacturing processes. The wafer and thin-film metrology products allow semiconductor and optoelectronics manufacturers to optimize device performance, yield and manufacturing productivity by providing rapid feedback on semiconductor and thin-film properties such as composition, doping concentration and thickness. On-Line has manufacturing operations in East Hartford, CT, and a total of 34 employees. On-Line's products will become part of a technologically advanced product family that includes MKS' Baratron® pressure measurement and control products, HPS® vacuum subsystem products, Mass-Flo® advanced materials delivery products, Spectra™ process monitor products, DIP™ digital process control network products, and ASTeX® reactive gas generator and power delivery products. This broad-based product line will provide OEM and wafer fab customers a complete suite of best-in-class products to control and maximize productivity of their vacuum- and gas-based processes.

On-Line will become the On-Line Products group of MKS reporting to Peter Younger, President and Chief Operating Officer. The operations of the On-Line Products group will continue to be managed by On-Line's current President, Peter Solomon, who will become General Manager, On-Line Products.

Varian, Inc. Names Garry W. Rogerson Senior Vice President of Scientific Instruments

PALO ALTO, CA - Varian, Inc. has appointed Garry W. Rogerson, 48, to the newly created position of senior vice president of its Scientific Instruments segment, which includes instruments and consumable laboratory supplies for application in life science and chemical analysis markets worldwide. Rogerson was previously the vice president responsible for Varian's analytical instruments and consumables product lines. In his new position, the nuclear magnetic resonance systems product line has been added to his responsibilities.

"Garry's proven leadership and vision should assist the company in moving more quickly toward reaching its goals of achieving 50% of its Scientific Instruments revenues from products aimed at life science applications," said Allen J. Lauer, president and CEO. "Integrating the Scientific Instrument businesses under one management team should allow us to take full advantage of product synergies, speed new product development, streamline processes, and enhance service to all of our customers."

Rogerson began his Varian career in 1979 as a sales representative for Varian Associates, Inc. (Varian, Inc.'s predecessor company) in London, England. Following that, he held several increasingly responsible positions including sales and marketing manager of Varian's nuclear magnetic resonance systems operation and vice president and general manager of the chromatography systems business in Walnut Creek, CA. Rogerson received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

Additional information about Varian, Inc. is available at www.varianinc.com.

Viking Gage and MSI Announce Their Merger

DUNCAN, SC - Viking Gage and MSI have announced their merger. Viking Gage and Metrology Solutions, Inc. are two of the most prominent gage houses in North America. For the past year these two companies have operated as sister companies, selling the same products and offering the same services. This merger will allow them to offer a more diverse line of products and services. They will add premier lines of equipment such as M & M Precision and SIP to their product lists. This merger offers a more complete line of calibration services and better turnarounds in Calibration and Repair.

The two companies will operate under the new name of MSI-Viking Gage. Their corporate office will be located at the 321 Tucapau Road, Duncan, SC 29334.

New Excimer Laser Measurement Service Available

BOULDER, CO - NIST recently has developed a new excimer laser measurement service for small-area detectors like those used in high-resolution semiconductor photolithography systems, and other excimer laser applications.

NIST now has the capability to accurately measure pulse-energy density of deep ultraviolet radiation produced by excimer lasers; this new capability is being used to provide dose (i.e., energy density) measurement services. Richard Jones of NIST's Optoelectronics Division and Holger Labs, a guest researcher, offer absolute responsivity calibrations of laser dose meters at the laser wavelength of 193 nanometers. Additional excimer laser wavelengths will be added to this service in the near future.

The dose measurements are performed using a beamsplitter-based calibration system in which a spatially uniform beam from an argon-fluoride excimer laser is generated using a special beam homogenizer. The beam propagation properties, including uniformity or homogeneity, are fully characterized with a state-of-the-art beam profile measurement system based on a pyroelectric camera array. This uniform beam then is used to irradiate a NIST-calibrated aperture placed immediately in front of the test detector. Measurement traceability for these calibrations comes from an electrically calibrated, primary standard calorimeter developed by Chris Cromer and Marla Dowell, also of the Optoelectronics Division.

Additional information on this new calibration service can be obtained from Richard D. Jones, MC 815, NIST, Boulder, CO 80305-3328; Tel (303) 497-3439.

Paper Describes NIST Support for Optical Fiber Industry

BOULDER, CO - In response to rapid changes in fiber optic technology, NIST is developing techniques and standards to support the measurement of optical components and subsystems used in wavelength division multiplexed (known as WDM) optical fiber communication systems. A new paper describes the development of wavelength calibration transfer standards and the accurate measurement of spectral response, dispersion, and polarization dependence of optical fiber and components.

In the area of wavelength calibration, NIST has developed Standard Reference Material transfer standards based on rotational-vibrational transitions in acetylene and hydrogen cyanide molecules. The SRMs were designed for calibrating wavelength-measuring instruments such as optical spectrum analyzers and wavelength meters. New work is focused on molecules of carbon monoxide as an SRM for the new WDM-L band.

NIST's spectral measurement system uses the calibrated wavelength meter and a tunable diode laser source to measure the transmittance and reflectance of WDM components. Wavelength filters are needed to remove amplified spontaneous emission produced by the diode laser. NIST recently conducted a round robin measurement intercomparison to assess current measurement capabilities for wavelength filters. The agency is working with the Telecommunications Industry Association to develop standard test procedures and evaluate measurement capabilities.

Concerning chromatic dispersion, NIST has developed two systems to measure relative group delay which broadens pulses and limits the system data rate. One system is based on low-coherence interferometry; the other is a more conventional rf-modulated phase-delay method. After compensating for chromatic dispersion, the next significant mechanism for pulse-broadening is polarization-mode dispersion. NIST supports PMD metrology through two SRMs-SRM 2518, Polarization-Mode Dispersion (Mode-Coupled) and SRM 2538, Polarization-Mode Dispersion (Non-Mode-Coupled).

The paper describing this work, no. 02-01, is available free of charge by contacting Sarabeth Harris, NIST, MC104, Boulder, CO 80305-3328, Tel (303) 497-3237.

Murdock Slated To Be Next NCWM Chair

Ronald D. Murdock, program manager of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Measurement Section, will be installed as chairman of the National Conference on Weights and Measures at its 86th annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on July 22-26, 2001. Murdock serves on the NCWM Inc. Board of Directors and the National Type Evaluation Technical Committee. He also is chairman of the Handbook 44 Working Group and a past chairman of the NCWM Specifications and Tolerances Committee. The NCWM-made up of more than 1,500 state, county, and city weights and measures officials and representatives of industry, federal agencies and consumer groups-sets standards and develops uniform procedures to verify weight, volume, length or count, ensuring that consumers receive the quantity they pay for and that businesses sell the quantity that they advertise.

In 1998, weights and measures regulations impacted more than $4.5 trillion (or 52 percent) of the total U.S. Gross Domestic Product. NCWM, in partnership with NIST's Office of Weights and Measures, aims at combining the regulatory expertise of government representatives with the "in-the-field" technical know-how of business members to create market-ready enforcement policies, testing and equipment evaluation, and training. NCWM also examines the design, features, operating characteristics and performance of new measuring devices. According to the NCWM, even small errors in the performance of a measurement device can be significant. For example, an error of slightly more than one teaspoon per five gallons at the gas pump would be equal to an annual charge of $125 million.

For information on NCWM and the 86th Annual Meeting, contact the organization at 15245 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 130, Rockville, MD 20850, Tel (240) 632-9454, Fax (301) 990-9771, Email ncwm@mgmtsol.com.

Faro Technologies Reports Year-End Results

LAKE MARY, FL - Faro Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of computer-aided manufacturing measurement (CAM2) solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2000, high-lighted by improved sales, gross margins and earnings compared to 1999.

Fourth quarter sales increased by 2.9% to $10.9 million in 2000 from $10.6 million in the fourth quarter of 1999. Gross margin improved to 66.7% from 62.3% in the fourth quarter of 1999 before non-recurring charges in that quarter. Earnings per Share (EPS) for the fourth quarter of 2000 increased 42 cents to 2 cents from a Loss per Share of 40 cents in the fourth quarter of 1999. The Company's fourth quarter 2000 earnings before interest, taxes, depreci-ation and amortization (EBITDA) increased $4.3 million from a loss of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 1999 to income of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2000.

For the year ended December 31, 2000, sales increased 22.2% to $40.5 million from $33.1 million in 1999. The Company's gross margin improved to 63.5%, compared to 57.2% in 1999. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2000 improved by 67 cents per diluted share to break even from a loss of $7.4 million in 1999. For the year 2000, the Company's EBITDA improved $7.3 million to $2.5 million from a loss of $4.8 million in 1999.

Transmation, Inc. Appoints Peter J. Adamski As Chief Financial Officer

ROCHESTER, NY - Transmation Inc. announced the appointment of Peter J. Adamski as Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Peter J. Adamski, 47, has over 21 years of finance, operations and mergers and acquisitions expertise with Fortune 500 corporations. He joins Transmation after serving as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer for Hahn Automotive Warehouse, Inc., where he was responsible for the restructuring of the finance organization. Prior to that, he was the Director of Corporate Business Development for Bausch & Lomb, responsible for analyzing and recommending new venture opportunities to senior management and structuring, multi-million dollar equity investments. Mr. Adamski was the Controller of McNeil Specialty Products Company (a division of Johnson & Johnson) where he was responsible for accounting analysis, financial reporting, strategic planning and acquisition analysis and also was a Senior Auditor for Arthur Anderson & Co.

He is a former Trustee of the New Jersey Society of CPA’s, a member of the American Institute of CPA’s, past Chairperson of the Members in Industry Committee of the NJSCPA and past Co-Chairperson of Johnson & Johnson Tax Council. He holds an MBA from Rutgers University’s GSBA Professional Accounting Program, and a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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