Conntact.com - CT Business News Journal

GREENWICH, Conn. & SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) (“United Rentals”) and RSC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RRR) (“RSC”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which United Rentals will acquire RSC in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $18.00 per share, or a total enterprise value of $4.2 billion, including $2.3 billion of net debt. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the proposed transactio

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), and its divisions and subsidiaries (Praxair Distribution, Praxair Healthcare Services, Praxair Electronics, Praxair Canada Inc., and Praxair Puerto Rico N.V.) are notifying bulk and packaged industrial, electronics, specialty, and medical gas customers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico of increases in prices effective January 1, 2012, or as contracts permit, as follows: Up to 15% for nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, carbon

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) is notifying bulk liquid helium customers in those regions around the world where it does business, of increases in prices up to 15% for bulk liquid helium effective January 1, 2012, or as contracts permit. Price adjustments may be higher or lower in accordance with individual contract provisions. These adjustments are being implemented in response to continuing increases in distribution, feedstock and sourcing costs; current supply/deman

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crane Co. (NYSE: CR) announces the following schedule and teleconference information for its fourth quarter 2011 earnings release: Earnings Release: January 23, 2012 after close of market by public distribution and the Crane Co. website at www.craneco.com. Teleconference: January 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM (Eastern) hosted by Eric C. Fast, President & CEO, Andrew L. Krawitt, Vice President, Principal Financial Officer and Richard E. Koch, Director of Investor Rela

BRISTOL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B), a diversified global manufacturer and logistical services company, today announced classification for cash distributions for the 2011 calendar year to assist its stockholders in their tax planning. Cash distributions during 2011 are anticipated to be wholly classified as an ordinary dividend distribution. Stockholders who have questions regarding the impact on their taxes should consult with their personal tax advisor. Barnes Group In

BRISTOL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B) today announced that its fourth quarter and full year 2011 results will be made public on Friday, February 17, 2012, before the market opens, and that the fourth quarter and full year 2011 results conference call will begin at 8:30 a.m. EST on that day. The public may access the conference through a live audio webcast available on Barnes Group’s investor relations link on the Internet at www.BGInc.com. Supplemental materials will be po

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX) previously disclosed an adverse jury verdict and injunction in a patent infringement lawsuit brought against Powerscreen International Distribution Limited (“Powerscreen”) and Terex Corporation by Metso Minerals Inc. in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. On December 9, 2011, a final judgment in support of the adverse jury verdict was issued. The Court’s most recent ruling is in line with the Company’s

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL)(Paris:HXL), today provided its guidance for 2012, projecting solid growth in both revenues and earnings. Mr. David Berges, Hexcel’s Chief Executive Officer, summarizing the Company’s outlook commented, “In 2012, we expect another year of double-digit sales growth, led by our Commercial Aerospace market thanks to on-going increases in aircraft build rates and new composite rich aircraft programs that are entering pro

ST. JOSEPH, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capital Solutions for the Home Product Industry continues as the preferred provider of inventory floorplan financing to Whirlpool Corp.'s U.S. dealers until 2016.

BROOKFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAB), a worldwide leader in supplying innovative imaging technology solutions for the global electronics industry, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 30, 2011. “2011 was an excellent year for Photronics as we achieved record sales in both semiconductor and flat panel photomasks,” commented Constantine ("Deno") Macricostas, Photronics' Chairman and CEO. “Our 20% year-over-year sales g

BROOKFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB), a worldwide leader in supplying innovative imaging technology solutions for the global electronics industry, announced today it is streamlining its operating infrastructure in Asia by ceasing the manufacture of semiconductor photomasks at its Singapore facility. Manufacturing activities for those customers previously serviced at Photronics’ Singapore facility will be serviced at the Company's other global photomask fabrication f

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harman International Industries, Incorporated, the leading global audio and infotainment group (NYSE: HAR) today announced that Moody’s Investors Service increased HARMAN’s corporate credit rating to Ba1, and raised the Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating to SGL-1 from SGL-2. According to the Moody’s statement, the Company’s much improved credit metrics and strong free cash flow generation were cited as keys to the rating change. Noting benefits accrued from over

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE (NYSE: GE) today signed contracts totaling almost $300 million with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to supply 13 gas turbines and associated services for the expansion of six power plants at various locations across the country. The expansions will add nearly 800 megawatts of power to the Saudi grid by the summer of 2013, in time to support peak electricity demands and reduce the risk of blackouts. The new contracts bring the number of GE turbines de

STRATFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the quick serve industry evolves, so does its technology. FAST and SCK Direct have integrated their technologies into an into an end to end solution called Kitchen Brains™.

STRATFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ashcroft Inc. announced the completion of enhanced manufacturing capabilities in Ashcroft’s China (Suzhou) Operation for production of Ashcroft® electronic pressure transducers for Chinese OEMs.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crane Co. (NYSE:CR) announced today that Richard E. Koch, Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, will be speaking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Industrials Conference in New York City on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 11:20AM – 12:00PM. Presentation slides will be available on the Company’s website www.craneco.com at 8:00AM on December 6. A simultaneous audio webcast with accompanying slides will be available at 11:20 AM and a replay

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. (NYSE Amex: BLD), a global leader in process automation technology for the print media industry, today announced that it has secured an equipment order valued at over $1 million from C&C Joint Printing Co., (H.K.) Ltd in China. In 2009, C&C was one of the first group of 48 Chinese enterprises that received the honorable title of “Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners (manufacturing)”, and the company still reta

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harman International Industries, Incorporated, the leading global audio and infotainment group (NYSE: HAR) today announced that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) has raised the Company’s corporate credit rating to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’, with a ‘positive’ outlook. S&P also raised the issue rating on the company's senior unsecured notes to 'BB' from 'BB-'. S&P noted that HARMAN’s corporate credit rating could rise to investment grade within the

ENFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--STR Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: STRI) today announced that the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dennis L. Jilot, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Barry A. Morris, will present at the upcoming Baird 2011 Clean Technology Conference on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. PST in San Francisco, CA. A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brewing craft beers is often a labor of love – but one that also poses unique exposures as this segment continues to grow rapidly. According to the Brewers Association, the number of craft brewers has grown from 8 to 1,600 in the past 30 years. To help small brewers protect their investment, Travelers today announced a new, specialized insurance offering with IndustryEdge® for Craft Breweries. IndustryEdge for Craft Breweries includes industry-specific insurance

ROGERS, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) announced today, as required by New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, that it will grant the following equity inducement awards to its newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Bruce D. Hoechner, upon his commencement of employment with the Company on October 3, 2011 (the “Grant Date”): - Time-based restricted stock units with an initial value of $400,000, with the number of units to be based on the per share closing pric

ROGERS, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected a new President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruce D. Hoechner, effective October 3, 2011, at which time he will also become a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Hoechner, 51, will succeed Robert D. Wachob, 64, who will become Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hoechner has many years of broad leadership experience across numerous geographies, businesses and

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has been included in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, one of only ten companies to have achieved this distinction for four consecutive years. With a disclosure score of 93, Praxair is ranked the 23rd best performing company in the world for carbon disclosure; and the 9th best performing among the S&P 500. The global carbon disclosure index is comprised of the leading 52 companies among 500 of the wor

SHELTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hubbell to Appear at The Oppenheimer 6th Annual Industrials Conference

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eduardo Menezes, senior vice president of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) and president, North American Industrial Gases business, will address the Oppenheimer 6th Annual Industrials Conference in New York, NY on Monday, September 26, at 10:05 am ET. Menezes is responsible for the growth, profitability and return on capital of Praxair’s businesses in the U.S. and Canada (including Praxair Distribution Inc.) and Mexico. Menezes will discuss Praxair’s growth strategies an

SHELTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hubbell Wiring Device Kellems, a division of Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBA, HUBB) and PEP Stations LLC, a provider of premium electric vehicle charging stations, announce a strategic alliance under which Hubbell will have exclusive representation and marketing rights for PEP Stations products in North America. Hubbell will offer a line of commercial electric vehicle charging solutions that are architecturally appealing and constructed to withstand the most dem

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Terex Corporation (NYSE:TEX) announced today that Scott W. Wine will be appointed to its Board of Directors effective October 10, 2011. Mr. Wine is the Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Industries, Inc. and has served in that role since 2008. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and the Polaris RANGER® for recreational and utility use, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road

SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and energy solutions provider GE (NYSE: GE) today announced a strategic alliance to jointly develop innovative manufacturing solutions to drive energy efficiency and water savings in existing and “greenfield” AB InBev facilities across China. As a resource-efficient global brewer, AB InBev has defined key performance indicators related to energy use, water use and CO2 emissions. With clear 2012 objectives to reduce the wate

SOUTHPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) will announce its financial results for the third quarter and file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, after the close of the stock market. On Thursday, November 3, 2011, Sturm, Ruger will host a webcast at 9:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the third quarter operating results. Interested parties can access the webcast at www.ruger.com/corporate or www.earnings.com or by dialing 866-831-6162, parti

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crane Co. (NYSE:CR) announced today that Andrew L. Krawitt, Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, will be speaking at the Gabelli 17th Annual Aircraft Supplier Conference in New York City on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Presentation slides will be available on the Company’s website www.craneco.com at 8:00 AM on September 8. A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at 3:00 PM and a replay will be available on the

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes Distribution, a leading global full-service distributor of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies, announces the availability of the new, 2011 digital version of its Master Catalog. This Digital Catalog includes more than 55,000 in-line maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products, the largest offering in the company’s history, and is now available on the internet. “As organizations struggle in the current economy to do more with less, our c

NEW BRITAIN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK) (“Stanley Black & Decker”) announced today that it has received antitrust clearance from the European Commission for its recommended all-cash offer, through a tender offer by its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary SBD Holding AB, to acquire all class A and class B shares and warrants in Niscayah Group AB (publ) (OMX: NISC), a leading commercial security and monitoring company specializing in electronic security s

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes Distribution, a leading North American full-service distributor of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies announces the availability of its new, 2011 – 2012 Master Catalog today, including more than 60,000 maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products. “As organizations struggle in the current economy to do more with less, our customers are looking to Barnes Distribution to help them streamline their production and increase their efficiencies

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has priced $500 million of 3.00% notes due September 1, 2021. The notes are being offered under its universal shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering is led by Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, RBS Securities Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The offering is expected to close on September 6, 2011. The company anticipates using the proce

MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE will supply two Frame 7FA Gas Turbines and long-term services for independent power project Norte II Combined-Cycle Power Plant in Mexico, to increase supply of reliable, lower-emissions energy.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crane Co. (NYSE:CR) announced today that Andrew L. Krawitt, Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, will be speaking at the 2011 Citi Industrials Conference in Boston on Thursday, September 22 from 11:20AM to 12:00PM. Presentation slides will be available on the Company’s website www.craneco.com at 8:00AM on September 22. A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at 11:20AM and a replay will be available on the same website shortly after

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX)(“Terex”) today announced that it has completed the purchase of the shares tendered as part of the public tender offer by Terex Industrial Holding AG to all shareholders of Demag Cranes AG (“Demag Cranes”) at €45.50 per share. As a result, Terex now owns approximately 82% of the shares of Demag Cranes. Ronald M. DeFeo, Terex Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased with the addition of Demag Cranes to the Tere

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has acquired the assets of Weldco Inc., a market leader in Cincinnati, Ohio, which is one of the top 20 welding markets in the U.S. With 23 employees and sales of $8 million, Weldco is an independent distributor of industrial and specialty gases and ancillary welding equipment, supplies and services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “The addition of Weldco to our existing

MILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skymira's smartphone compatible business apps and M2M telemetry services now available on Inmarsat's ISatData Pro and Skywave's IDP 600 series satellite terminals.

BERLIN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westport has become the first Connecticut town to install an electric vehicle charging station as part of Connecticut Light and Power's (CL&P) comprehensive study of plug-in charging.

BRISTOL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B), a diversified global manufacturer and logistical services company, today announced that it has received a binding offer from Berner SE to acquire its Barnes Distribution Europe (“BDE”) business, comprised of the businesses that operate as Kent, BD France and Toolcom, subject to customary conditions and approvals. Berner SE is a leading direct seller in Europe of consumables, tools and specialist technical chemicals, primarily in the c

BROOKFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB), a worldwide leader in supplying innovative imaging technology solutions for the global electronics industry, today reported results for the third quarter ended July 31, 2011. Constantine (“Deno”) Macricostas, Photronics’ chairman and chief executive officer, commented: “We exceeded our guidance range and reported record revenue of $135.9 million, while also achieving a new quarterly sales record for IC photomasks. Demonstrating

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smiths Detection welcomed Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Warren Stern, Director of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) to its Danbury, Conn. facility which designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of products to support and protect U.S. military, first responders and homeland security operations. Senator Lieberman and Director Stern toured the facility which has just received formal DHS approval to manu

TOLLAND, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gerber Scientific, Inc. (NYSE:GRB), a leading international supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for the sign making, specialty graphics, packaging, apparel and industrial industries, today announced the completion of its acquisition by funds managed by Vector Capital, a global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector, in a transaction valued at approximately $283 million. CITIC Capital Partners, a leading China based private

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Silgan announces authorization for stock repurchases and declares quarterly dividend.

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX)(“Terex”) today announced that it has received clearance from the European Union to complete its previously announced purchase offer for Demag Cranes AG. With this approval, the final condition of closing has been met, and settlement of the purchase offer is anticipated to occur the week of August 15. Demag Cranes AG will add a new business segment to Terex with world-class products in industrial cranes and hoists, port technology an

HANOI, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE (NYSE: GE) is helping power Vietnam’s economic growth with new custom-designed fixed series capacitor banks. The new technology will improve energy reliability and efficiency for Power Transmission Company No. 2 (PTC2), a key subsidiary of National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT) and state utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN). The systems also will increase the power transfer capability of PTC2’s current transmission lines, helping engineers better contro

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ-GS:KAMN)has approved a 14% increase in the company’s regular quarterly dividend to 16 cents per share. The dividend is payable October 24, 2011 to shareholders of record on October 10, 2011. “Today’s Board action reflects our continuing commitment to increase shareholder returns and we are proud to say that this is our 41st consecutive year of dividend payments. This also demonstrates our company’s strong fin

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011. For the second quarter of 2011, net income was $28.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to net income of $27.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2010. Revenues increased 9.7% to $1.40 billion in the second quarter of 2011, compared to revenues of $1.28 billion in the year ago period. Organic revenue growth was 3.5%. Including pre