Company Announcements

Mettler-Toledo acquired UK-based Triton Technology and its dynamic mechanical analyzer product line in March. In connection with the purchase, Lacerta Technology acquired Triton’s identiPol QA product line.

Canadian-based Norton Scientific listed its stock on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s First Quotation Board (Open Market) in June.

Norton Scientific named Shoko America its US West Coast distributor in September.

In August, the Zwick Roell Group acquired the majority of German firm ASMEC Advanced Surface Mechanics. ASMEC’s products include the Universal Nanomechanical Tester as well as nanoindentation systems and software. Zwick stated that the purchase provides it with a base in eastern Germany and expands its portfolio to include micro and nano testing.

In September, the US Department of the Air Force lifted its suspension of MTS Systems (see IBO 8/15/11). The Air Force and MTS entered into an administrative agreement specifying the conditions under which the suspension was lifted, including enhanced compliance policies.

Hysitron opened an R&D center in Thiruvananthapuram, India, in September.

In September, Izon Science opened a US headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In October, MTS Systems named Rich Baker vice president and general manager of its Test segment. Previously, he was the director of Engineering and Operations for the segment.

Product Introductions

Instron introduced the CEAST HDT Vicat 500 AlOxide thermal tester for the determination of the Vicat softening temperature and heat deflection temperature of plastics at temperatures up to 500° C.

Malvern Instruments released the surface zeta potential measurement cell for its Zetasizer Nano particle characterization system, enabling users to measure the zeta potential of surfaces in an aqueous medium on a standard instrument.

In October, GE Healthcare launched MicroCal VP-Capillary Differential Scanning Calorimetry software. It provides a single graphical user interface for selecting and entering all sample and experiment run parameters.

Spectro launched the SpectroVisc Q3000, a portable, solvent-free, temperature-controlled kinematic viscometer.

WS Tyler launched the Hayver Tyler CPA 2-1 photo-optical particle size and particle shape analyzer, which is designed to measure dry, free-flowing and nonagglomerating particles.

In November, Anton Paar launched the third-generation Modular Compact Rheometers, featuring the Toolmaster tool recognition and configuration system.