♦  US-based Actuant has acquired the Swedish specialist in man-machine electronics CrossControl for around $40m plus possible future performance-related payments. CrossControl, most of whose business is for OEM equipment used outside Europe, has annual revenues worth around $40m.

♦  Baumüller and B&R have signed a framework contract under which B&R will offer motors from Baumüller`s DSC, DSD and DS series, expanding its portfolio up to 140kW.

♦  RS Components has extended its online library of free 3D CAD product models with more than 2,000 new models from automation and controls manufacturers including Siemens, Omron, SMC, Parker Legris, Ace Products and Nuvotem. More than 30,000 certified 3D CAD models of electronic and mechanical components are now available in up to 23 3D CAD formats. Each model is tagged with its RS part number.

♦  Global demand for bearings will grow by 7.8% a year from 2011 to 2016, when sales will be worth $96bn, according to a new report from the analyst Freedonia. The fastest growth (around 10%) will be in the Asia-Pacific region, which will be worth $54bn by 2016, when China will account for a third of global demand. By 2021, the Chinese bearings market will be bigger than Europe and North America combined.

♦  A US investment firm, the Gores Group, has acquired the touch monitor supplier Elo Touch Solutions from TE Connectivity for $380m in cash. California-based Elo had sales worth $413m in 2011.