he use of industrial robots around the world reached the second highest level ever recorded during 2006. But sales decreased by 11 percent, after a record performance in 2005.
   The International Federation of Robotics' 2007 World Robotics survey reports that 112,200 were sold in 2006. The automotive and electrical/electronics industries, the main drivers of the 2005 growth surge, reduced their investment in robotics by 17 percent and 34 percent respectively. However, all other industrial sectors increased robot purchases by 25 percent, said the Frankfurt, Germany-based IFR.
   Europe saw overall demand rise in 2006, spurred by demand from the metal products, rubber and plastics and food and beverage industries. Robot purchases increased by 13 percent in Germany, the largest robotics market in Europe. In Italy, the second largest European market, 15 percent more robots were installed.
   The U.S. automotive industry reduced orders by 42 percent in 2006, following a massive 2005 investment. IFR describes this as "a pause for rest" and predicts 2007 sales will rise.
   Japan, the largest robot market in the world, saw sales drop 26 percent. The two largest customers – the automotive and electronics industries – sharply reduced orders after high investment in 2005. Orders also slumped in the Republic of Korea, the second largest Asian market. In China, which ranks third in the Asian market, robot investment is still growing, with 5,800 units installed in 2006, an increase of 29 percent over 2005.
   IFR predicts that 10 percent more industrial robots will be sold during 2007 than in 2006. Looking ahead, an annual growth rate of four percent is forecast for 2008-2010.

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P Solar plans to build one of the largest photovoltaic module assembly facilities in Europe in Puertollano, Spain. The production capacity in phase one of the project will be up to 300 MW per year, or enough energy to meet the needs of between 150,000 and 200,000 homes. A possible second phase would boost the facility's capacity to 500 MW.
   BP Solar's European headquarters is located in Madrid, where it has two plants: a production plant for PV modules and another for the assembly of PV modules.
   Spain ranks second to Germany among European nations in terms of the solar photovoltaic market, according to Solarbuzz, an international solar consultancy.

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   German commercial vehicle builder MAN Nutzfahrzeuge observes its 250^th anniversary during 2008 and to celebrate, the company plans a new 7,000-sq.-m. (75,390-sq.-ft.) headquarters building in Munich. About 360 employees will work in the building when it opens in December 2008. The new building is part of a $280 million investment program the company has for facilities in Munich by 2012.
   MAN supplies trucks, buses, diesel engines and turbomachinery as well as industrial services, and employs 50,000 worldwide.

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nternational automotive supplier Continental AG is in full expansion mode with ongoing global projects. The fast-growing Asian automotive market has the company building two manufacturing facilities in China.
   Continental is establishing a new tire plant in Hefei, in China's Anhui province. The company plans to invest $220 million, with construction beginning in mid-2008 and production slated to start in early 2010.
   Continental said it looked at more than 20 possible locations in China before deciding on Hefei. Anhui province is becoming a major location for China's growing automotive industry. The new production site is about 280 miles (450 km.) west of Shanghai, between Beijing and southern China. Continental has long-range plans to produce four million passenger tires annually at the facility for the Chinese market.
   Continental's Automated Systems Division plans to build a $98-million hydraulic brake systems plant in Changshu City, China. The plant will begin mass production of hydraulic brake products in fall 2008 and plans to employ 1,000 by 2011.
   "By 2010, we want to double our sales in Asia," said Jay Kunkel, president of the Asia Region and member of the management board at Continental Automotive Systems. "The new plant in Changshu will become the key production base of our hydraulic brake products in East Asia."
   Continental has also acquired a majority interest in Continental Matador Rubber in Puchov, Slovakia. Continental will boost production capacity gradually to more than seven million car tires and will invest more than $36 million in the facility by 2009, with the possibility of even greater future expansion. Continental and Matador have operated a joint-venture truck tire plant in Puchov since 1998.

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ovartis inaugurated its 160-employee pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Tuas, Singapore, in October. The new plant will manufacture tablets of Novartis brands such as Diovan, the world's most prescribed high blood pressure medicine.
   Company officials chose the occasion to unveil plans to build a $700-million biotechnology production site in Singapore. The new cell-culture facility will be the company's largest investment to date in its manufacturing capacity. The plant will employ more than 300 when fully operational. Construction will begin in early 2008 and the company expects it to be operational by the end of 2012.
   "Singapore is attractive because of its increasingly strong biomedical cluster and its proximity to growth markets in Asia," said Tom Van Laar, head of Global Technical Operations at Novartis Pharma AG. "In addition, a solid educational system and favorable socio-economic conditions assure access to local and international talent."

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witzerland's central European location, educated, multi-lingual work force and transportation infrastructure have long made it a favorite for U.S. firms looking to establish an EMEA headquarters. These are typically small to medium-sized operations performing functions including sales, marketing, HR and finance. That trend continued in October with two significant announcements in Geneva.
   Security systems specialist Diebold will employ about 30 by the end of 2008. The company cited the presence of the nearby Institute for Management Development in Lausanne as a factor.
   Minnesota-based grains, food and energy company CHS is launching operations in January 2008 with about 15 employees.