Picarro signed exclusive distribution deals with Enviro Technology Services for the UK; ETG Risorse e Tecnologia for Italy; and Envitec for Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, France and Tunisia.

Newport acquired Picarro’s Laser Products business in November 2007. The business has annual sales of $5–$7 million.

Picarro named Michael Woelk president and CEO in November 2007. He was previously vice president of Marketing at Varian.

Emerson Process Management promoted Jim Nyquist, president of Emerson Process Management Europe, to president of Global Sales in November 2007.

Emerson sold its Brooks Instrument unit in December 2007 to American Industrial Partners Capital Fund for $100 million in cash. Brooks provides flow measurement and control devices for low-flow applications, and had fiscal 2007 sales of approximately $90 million.

In January, Emerson Process Management acquired The Automation Group, a provider of process automation and control system engineering, instrument and electrical design, and project management services to the refining, petrochemical, chemical and coal power industries.

Yokogawa established an Industrial Automation Global Marketing Center in Dallas, Texas, in January.

In February, ABB CEO Fred Kindle resigned over disagreements about how to the lead the company. CFO Michel Demaré was named interim CEO.