The Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork program has expanded, adding 11 new partner companies who have demonstrated a commitment to helping customers maximize their automation investment. The Rockwell Automation global PartnerNetwork program is comprised of a collaborative team of leading suppliers, system integrators, and machine and equipment builders who work collaboratively to help solve manufacturing and automation challenges by simplifying the supply chain, advancing innovations in project design, and improving collaboration among suppliers.

New PartnerNetwork companies include members from the Encompass Partner program, OEM Partner program and Solution Partner program.

Four companies in the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA regions recently joined the PartnerNetwork program as Encompass Product partners. Three Encompass Product partners also recently expanded their membership into new geographic regions. Members of the Encompass program help manufacturers more effectively respond to shifting demand and industry changes by providing critical components or connectivity solutions that complement, enhance and extend Rockwell Automation solutions. Encompass Product partners also help simplify the product-selection process by making it easier for customers to find the technologies best-suited to solve their unique application challenges.

The OEM Partner program has expanded with the addition of five North American machine- and equipment-builder companies. OEM Partner program members demonstrate a commitment to offering high-quality, innovative machinery and equipment that uses Rockwell Automation solutions. By delivering flexible and efficient equipment, these PartnerNetwork members help manufacturers increase business agility, optimize productivity and achieve sustainability objectives.

The Solution Partner program welcomed three new member companies. Solution Partner members are proven, trusted and established companies that offer demonstrated knowledge and experience in design, implementation, project management and maintenance of industrial control systems. Additionally, Polytron Inc., a Solution Partner company, was named North America’s first designated Rockwell Automation Machinery Safety Solutions partner. This new Machinery Safety designation is reserved for an elite group of systems integrators that pass a thorough assessment of their safety application expertise, experience and capabilities, and shows a commitment to maintaining excellence in machinery safety applications over the long term.

Two new product suppliers in the Americas region have joined the Rockwell Automation Encompass third-party product referencing program, while four new partners have joined the Rockwell Automation OEM Partner program. In addition, two new system integrators have joined the Solution Partner program.

Encompass partner companies provide critical components or connectivity solutions that augment the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, and offer added functionality that complements and enhances Rockwell Automation solutions to help manufacturers achieve the ideal application fit. Through the Rockwell Automation Encompass third-party product referencing program, customers can quickly locate the products that best solve their application challenges.

Members of the OEM Partner program, formerly the Machine Builder Program, are committed to providing high-quality, innovative machinery that uses Rockwell Automation solutions. Solution Partners are proven, trusted and established companies that offer extensive experience in the design, implementation, project management and maintenance of industrial control systems.

The Encompass, OEM, and Solution Partner programs are part of the Rockwell Automation global PartnerNetwork framework, which comprises an integrated team of system integrators, machine builders and best-in-class suppliers who work collaboratively to solve manufacturing and automation challenges. Members of the PartnerNetwork programs are leading companies whose products or services enhance Rockwell Automation solutions. This helps customers streamline their supply chain, simplify project implementation and receive the best value for their automation investment.

Encompass Partner Program:

The following are additional details about the new Encompass Partner program members in the Americas region:

eRPortal Software Group, LLC – provides asset, materials, and maintenance management software that helps companies better manage their assets. Their flexible, easy-to-use, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) optimizes maintenance processes and integrates with systems throughout an organization.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. – makes electric power safer, more reliable and more economical through the design, manufacture, and support of products used in the protection, monitoring, control, automation and metering of electric power systems.

OEM Partner Program:

New OEM Program members are as follows:

Automatic Handling International builds high quality, innovative roll handling and packaging systems with a focus on pulp and paper, converting, tissue and nonwovens applications.

Bastian Solutions offers a variety of material handling and controls solutions, varying in complexity from simple, manual to highly automated systems such as mobile robots, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, RFID, sortation, carousels and conveyor systems.

BMH Robotics is an independent robotics integrator that provides conventional material-handling machines and custom-engineered solutions.

IPG Photonics develops and manufactures high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications including materials processing, communications, medical and advanced applications.

Solution Partner Program:

The new members of the Solution Partner program are as follows:

Prime Controls is a system integrator and I&C construction firm specifically structured to meet industrial automation and control needs with a focus on critical infrastructure applications.

Innovative Control Solutions is a full-service control systems integration firm who has in-depth experiences applying process safety applications into pulp and paper, oil and gas, utility power, industrial energy, mining and petrochemical industries.

Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, today announced two key partnerships in various continents. These Preferred Partners will promote, distribute, and offer support for all software solutions across Kepware's product portfolio.

Kepware is pleased to welcome the following companies to its 2014 Preferred Partner program:

Latin America:

•Exata Sistemas de Automação (Brazil)

•InfoPortal (Mexico)

Europe:

•b+i automation (Switzerland)

•EFA Automazione (Italy)

•FOXON (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Ukraine)

•inray Industriesoftware GmbH (Germany)

•KEP France (France)

•Logitek (Spain)

•MAC Solutions (United Kingdom)

•Novotek (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden)

•PLK Systems (Russian Federation)

Asia PAcific:

•Allied Solutions (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam)

•BridgeWare (Korea)

•Dingchen Technology (Beijing, China)

•FETCH Automation (Australia and New Zealand)

•Kanto L-Engineering Co. (KLEC) (Japan)

•OICE Automation (Thailand)

•Sarla Technologies (India)

•SiboTech (Shanghai, China)

•Youngtec (Taiwan)

Middle East & Africa:

•ASP Otomasyon (Turkey)

•Contel (Israel)

•eTX Data Services (South Africa)

•PRECAST (Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates)

"Each of these companies has deep expertise and a stellar reputation in their respective markets, which makes them ideal partners as we continue to grow," said Brett Austin, President, Kepware Technologies. "The Middle East and Africa have become key regions for our business. Expanding our network of connected partners allows us to better deliver the quality products and services in this area that are synonymous with Kepware."

Working with a Kepware Preferred Partner provides customers with a resource that has both product expertise and knowledge of specific industry challenges that are unique to their region. Partners also offer support in the customer's time zone and native language, a network of trusted System Integrators, technical consulting, and training capabilities. Each partner has a proven record of success and possesses guiding principles that align with Kepware's business objectives and commitment to excellence.

Foster Wheeler has announced today that an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company has entered into a merger implementation agreement (“MIA”) with MDM Engineering Group Limited (AIM:MDM) (“MDM Engineering”) to acquire all of the ordinary shares and options in issue of MDM Engineering in a cash transaction valued at approximately $109 million (the “Transaction”).

The Transaction is subject to MDM Engineering shareholder approval and other closing conditions.  Kent Masters, Foster Wheeler’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “MDM Engineering is a strong fit for Foster Wheeler’s minerals and metals strategy to enhance global capability and capacity.”

Based in South Africa, MDM Engineering Group Limited is a minerals process and project management company focused on the mining industry. Founded in 2006, the company provides a wide range of services from preliminary and final feasibility studies, through to plant design, construction and commissioning. The company has approximately 280 employees. For additional information, see the company’s website at www.mdm-engineering.com.

As announced, on February 13, 2014 Foster Wheeler entered into a definitive agreement with AMEC plc (“AMEC”) concerning a possible business combination of the Company and AMEC. Foster Wheeler has informed AMEC of the Transaction. Foster Wheeler does not expect the Transaction to affect the timing of completion of the business combination of the Company and AMEC.

Barclays is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP and Conyers Dill & Pearman are acting as legal advisors to Foster Wheeler. GMP Securities is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Memery Crystal LLP and Carey Olsen are acting as legal advisors to MDM Engineering.