What's Happeing in Markets
Staff -- Purchasing, 11/3/2005
- U.S. spending on information technology will rise 5.5% in 2006, says market research firm Gartner. Spending on mobile devices will be a major priority, while spending on security will stabilize, according to a recently released survey of more than 1,500 IT managers.
- Purchasing of commercial truck and transportation equipment will see 10% growth in 2006 after rising by 20% this year, according to Steve Latin-Kasper of the National Truck Equipment Association in Farmington Hills, Mich. Buys have been pushed by imminent new emissions regulations and concerns about new engine technology set to debut in 2007.
- Peoria, Ill.-based machinery maker Caterpillar is forming a new division that will focus on increasing manufacturing speed and maintaining low costs. The company has been buoyed by increasing sales fueled by a continuing demand surge from the energy, mining and construction industries. Caterpillar has seen North American sales grow by 15% so far this year—while offshore sales are close to 24% higher.
- Gartner analysts say worldwide personal computer shipments totaled 55 million units in the third quarter, up 17.2% from a year ago. Dell continued to lead the industry in worldwide PC shipments, Gartner said, with 9.2 million in the third quarter. Hewlett-Packard was second with 8.4 million units shipped.
- European jet maker Airbus plans to outsource 70% of parts and production abroad, says Chief Executive Gustav Humbert. Airbus plans to give components supply contracts and production subcontract to China, Russia and India to expand into markets where new future orders are likely to come.
- U.S.-Chinese joint venture Dongfeng Cummins Engine is developing a 13-liter truck engine designed to serve the high-end heavy duty truck market in China. The electronic engine is expected to be ready for production in 2009, and is being designed so that it can be readily modified to meet future U.S. EPA and Euro IV/V emission standards.
- Hewlett-Packard is recalling 135,000 battery packs worldwide, as an internal short can cause the cells to overheat and melt, which could lead to fire. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the battery backs are used in H-P and Compaq notebook computers that were sold between March 2004 and May 2005.
Talkback
Related Content
Related Content
Sponsored Links
View All Blogs
Now Playing:
