Business Briefs for the Week of March 23, 2009

Cooper Industries, Houston, recently acquired Irvine, Calif.-based Illumination Management Solutions (IMS), which specializes in optics and system design for light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures. Cooper continues to make organic investments in this key technology platform with the construction of its Cooper Lighting LED Innovation Center, Peachtree City, Ga., which will act as a centralized resource for all global LED-based activities and will leverage technology from Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Syracuse, N.Y.; Cooper Safety, Warwickshire, U.K.; and Cooper Lighting, Peachtree City, Ga.

EDSA Micro Corp., San Diego, recently launched the Paladin PowerTeam program to benefit electrical power systems engineers who work in team environments on complex facilities and infrastructures. Among the benefits of the program, EDSA will provide a free second license for its Paladin DesignBase software for each licensed purchased. This free license can be used by another member of the design team or on a second computer – such as a personal notebook computer – by an individual user.

Ideal Industries, Sycamore, Ill., has launched a new customer service team focusing on its industrial division customers. This group will provide dedicated support to precision tooling, engineered solutions (OEM), and industrial MRO customers.

Meyda Lighting, Yorkville, N.Y., has established Meyda Custom Lighting, a division specializing in custom lighting fixtures, lamps, and stained glass windows. Under the new division, a team of designers and engineers collaborate with clients to develop custom lighting solutions that meet exact specifications.

Lake Forest, Ill.-based Grainger recently awarded Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., Milwaukee, the 2008 Partners in Performance Award in the large supplier category. Award-winning suppliers are measured on a number of criteria including responsiveness, on-time shipping, cost control, management commitment, and product quality.