Business Briefs for the Week of Oct. 13, 2008

Milford, Conn.-based Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems became a new member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C., working with a community of more than 15,000 organizations dedicated to advancing buildings that are environmentally responsible in the way they are designed, built and operated. As part of the green movement, USGBC drives its mission with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, supporting a rich education and research agenda and an aggressive education and advocacy program delivered at the local level.

Hillsboro, Ore.-based SolarWorld recently opened North America’s largest solar cell manufacturing facility. The new plant is expected to reach a capacity of 500MW by 2011.

Capital Lighting & Supply, a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, recently opened its new central distribution center and headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md. The 220,000 square-foot facility features a state of the art distribution center with the latest in warehouse technology.

Newburyport, Mass.-based Ferraz Shawmut has stepped up the pace of its developments in thermal protection for power electronics, with the acquisition of R-Theta Thermal Solutions, Mississauga, Canada, a front-line specialist in air cooling for power electronics in North America. With its wide range of innovative products, the company has experienced strong growth over several years.

Exide Technologies, Alpharetta, Ga. recently announced developments concerning the structural framework and strategies of the company’s Global Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) organization. Progress includes the planned formation of an Advanced Research and Development Organization and two Global Product Development Centers. The changes are designed to deliver greater collaboration among the operating divisions, more balance between short-term and long-term engineering contributions, and greater productivity.