Autron has signed an agreement with SembCorp Logistics that will see the latter provide supply chain management (SCM) support to both Autron and the electronics manufacturing industry.

GPS Online, based in Brisbane, has acquired a 51 per cent interest in Microelectronic Technologies from Hitachi in exchange for one million shares. The agreement makes Hitachi the eighth largest shareholder in GPS Online.

EcoRecycle, the Victorian state government agency responsible for minimising the creation of waste and promoting the sustainable use of resources, has congratulated the Australian electronics and electrical industry on its pilot program for end-of-life recovery and processing of televisions, VCRs and similar equipment.

The ITP (integrated ticketing project) contract, due for full implementation in early 2005, will involve rolling out a contactless smart card system for use on all modes of transport in the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions, with plans to extend the system to the purchase of other goods and services, according to NSW Premier Bob Carr. Commuters will only need to pass the card through a validator where the fare will be deducted from the card, eliminating the need to queue.

IBM research has established a process to increase screen quality and viewing angles, whilst reducing manufacturing costs.

Elpida Memory have chosen Hitachi Australia to distribute their products in Australia and New Zealand.

Following the opening of offices in NSW and Victoria, managed by Jorg Lange, and Brian Catley respectively, Trio Electrix has announced the opening of a Brisbane office.

Leading component suppliers have set up the Electronic Components Association Australia and New Zealand (ECAANZ).

M/A Com, an operating unit of Tyco Electronics, recently acquired Com-Net Ericsson, giving it the new name of M/A-Com Private Radio Systems.

Philips Semiconductors and Frontier Design have announced the formation of a new company called Adelante Technologies.

WIKA Australia has opened an office in Brisbane.

Fluke Networks, part of the Danaher family of companies, and Microtest have signed an agreement to acquire Microtest, a producer of test and connectivity products.

Rittal and Phoenix Contact have relocated to new premises in the Adelaide suburb of Torrensville, offering a central location for transport and customer support.

Micromax has been appointed the national master distributor for the UniMeter XQL range of instruments.

SanDisk and Toshiba America Components state that their FlashVision fabrication (fab)plant has gone into production of advanced flash memories.