For Swedish Match, taking part in the Whitbread Round the World Race is more than a just a yacht race.  At the turn of the year the group's five companies came together under the Swedish Match name. At the same time as the name change a new organization was introduced. Taking part in the Whitbread race means using this global sporting event to familiarise all employees world-wide with the new organization and to increase awareness of the new company.

Contracts worth more than US $4m have been won by Channelmatic/LIMT for its digital television automation products. The orders reflect the growing demand by broadcasters for the ability to provide local advertising within national and regional programming schedules. 

Aspiring young professionals from South East Asian commerce and industry can boost their career prospects by applying for the 1998 Junior Executive Scholarship Programme.  Established in 1995 by Finland’s President, Martti Ahtisaari, the Programme enables scholarship holders from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to spend up to six months in a Finnish host company learning about new technology through study and work experience. With next year’s programme due to begin in April 1998, all applications should be received no later than 17 October 1997.

Robotics systems can offer a flexible and cost-effective solution to the complex palletising demands within the consumer goods industry.  ABB Flexible Automation has launched a palletising package that allows tailored solutions which keep pace with the ever changing demands of this sector.

The most powerful in the range of Compact hydraulic motors has been introduced by Haegglunds Drives AB in Sweden. The CA 210 builds upon the high performance of existing models of the range to give greater choice in application and torque output.

At the pharmaceutical company Astra, tough demands are placed on documentation dealing with R & D. This information represents an enormous amount of money, and the various authorities require that documentation be accessible for decades. After having evaluated a number of systems, Astra Draco has selected the specially designed processor known as Ralip Scan-IT for image analysis and storage on CD-ROM disks.

There is now a new generation of protective masks to cover most needs; from sporadic DIY use, to daily use in more dangerous environments. The wall-to-wall product program consists of three types of half mask. The same gas and particle filters can be used for them all. According to their manufacturer, Sundström Safety, Sweden, these new protective masks are characterised by high protective power and a perfect fit.

Swedish gingerbread biscuits have become an increasingly popular international biscuit product, especially in connection with Christmas celebrations. With its coming investment in the exhibition at the major Anuga trade fair in Cologne the Swedish company Annas Pepparkakor AB, the world's leading manufacturer, wants to show that gingerbread biscuits are a year-round product with significant potential in other situations and in the Central European market.

Novel drive shaft actuator provides precision control through a lightweight, compact design, offering a wide choice of adjustment gear ratios coupled with long life and high efficiency.