Business Bits

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., a publicly-traded company with headquarters in Hacienda, has acquired French company Agence Internationale Commerciale et Industrielle, S.A.S., ("Aginco"), through its subsidiary, Simpson Strong-Tie Europe. Aginco manufactures a line of high quality builder products which are primarily distributed throughout France. The purchase price, subject to post-closing adjustment, was $21.9 million in cash.

Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., designs, engineers and is a leading manufacturer of wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete and wood-to-masonry connectors and fastening systems, among other products.
Roche Molecular Diagnostics

A new product from Hacienda's Roche Molecular Diagnostics has been approved for clinical use in the European Union. The company's new LightCycler test detects methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of bacteria that has recently become an important issue for healthcare facilities worldwide due to high rates of infection, mortality, and high costs of treatment. The test will aid in the prevention and control of MRSA infections in healthcare settings resulting in better patient care.

"As more guidelines recommend or require aggressive screening, it is important that healthcare professionals have access to fast, reliable products that can help improve medical outcomes," says Daniel O'Day Head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "This new test will aid infection control programs, and ultimately result in better patient care."
TRIA Beauty

TRIA Beauty, headquartered in Hacienda, is now selling its flagship product, the TRIA Laser Hair Removal System, in Japan. "This effort strengthens the brand equity of TRIA Beauty and significantly increases our international presence," says Kevin Appelbaum, CEO of TRIA Beauty. "It's part of our corporate goal to build one global brand that brings true innovation to the beauty industry." The product will be available in Japan exclusively at www.triabeauty.co.jp.
Elluminate, Inc.

A number of educational institutions were recognized by Hacienda's Elluminate, Inc., as part of the company's Center of Excellence program, which recognizes academic institutions and corporations that have implemented their Elluminate Live! Product in creative ways to improve classroom or distance learning programs, corporate training, faculty or staff communication and collaboration, or administrative operations. Organizations recognized include the Broward County Public Schools, the Center for Distance Learning and Innovation, eLearning Broward, McMaster University, University Alliance, and the University of Hertfordshire.

Daryl Diamond of the Broward County Public Schools said, "(We were) faced with the task of training approximately 37,000 end users to use SAP 6.0 in some capacity. Elluminate Live! enabled the project team to deliver training to literally hundreds of people at one time, demonstrating solutions to frequently asked questions, in a manner that could be archived and reviewed over and over again."

Also in this issue ...

April Business Bits

Business Bits