Proper hand washing remains the primary defense in preventing the spread of infection, especially for health care professionals. J.R. Phoenix products are compatible with formulations containing the well-known antiseptic agent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and are formulated for frequent hand washers. Its hand hygiene products are sold under the Laura Line brand in Canada.

“The Laura Line brand products complement and build on our 3M brand hand sanitizers and skin creams product line,” said Debra Rectenwald, president and general manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division. “Adding the Laura Line brand to our offering allows us to deliver a complete line of hand hygiene skin care products to the healthcare market in Canada,” added Brian Young, president and general manager, 3M Canada.

“As part of 3M, the Laura Line brand has a tremendous opportunity to grow by drawing on the strength of 3M’s resources and technical capabilities,” said James Gorloff, president, J.R. Phoenix Ltd.

“Intel’s strong 2009 results reflect our investment in industry-leading manufacturing and product innovation,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “This strategy has enabled us to generate unprecedented operating efficiencies while growing our traditional businesses and creating exciting new market opportunities, even in difficult economic times. Our ability to weather this business cycle demonstrates that microprocessors are indispensable in our modern world. Looking forward, we plan to deliver the benefits of computing to an expanding set of products, markets and customers.”

See also:

• Phoenix Firmware Supports New 45nm Intel Core2 Duo Processor T9400 (0)
• Intel, Samsung Electronics, TSMC Reach Agreement for 450mm Wafer Manufacturing Transition (0)
• New Intel Software Connects Health Networks, Enabling Key Data Sharing in Clinical Settings (0)

The meeting will be held at the New York Stock Exchange, located at 2 Broad Street. Registration will begin at 8:15 AM Eastern Time. The formal program will begin promptly at 9:00 AM and is expected to conclude by 11:30 AM.  Prior to admittance, guests must check in at the external checkpoint, which is located at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets.  Guests must have valid photo ID and be included on the RSVP guest list in order to gain access to the building.  In addition, please note business attire is a requirement for all visitors to the New York Stock Exchange.

The program will include presentations by Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Philip Faraci, President & Chief Operating Officer, Brad Kruchten, President, Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group, and Frank Sklarsky, Chief Financial Officer, and will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

If you wish to attend, please RSVP by Tuesday, January 26th by contacting Alicia Zona at 585-724-5955, or by e-mail at alicia.zona@kodak.com.

For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be available via a live webcast. To access the webcast please go to: http://www.kodak.com/go/invest.

According to DisplaySearch’s latest Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report, InnoLux was the leading supplier of LED backlit monitor panels in Q3’09, with 34.4% of unit shipments (Table 1). Other panel makers producing such panels include LG Display, AUO, Samsung and CMO. Brands like Samsung, Dell, LG, Acer, Lenovo, BenQ and AOC began launching LED backlit LCD monitors ranging from 18.5”W to 24”W in Q3’09. In Q1’10, 20”W, 23.6”W and 27”W panels will enter the market. In addition, there are small LCD TV sizes such as 26”W that are adapting monitor panels, the LED backlight is also brining the attractions to this segment. TV brands like Vizio are promoting 18.5”W and 23”W LCD TV using LED backlit monitor panels, and more brands are expected to join in 2010.

Table 1: LED Backlight LCD Monitor Panel Shipment Share in Q3’09

Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report

“LEDs have significant advantages over traditional backlights, such as power consumption, slim form factor, and product differentiation,” noted Brian Chen, DisplaySearch Research Director for TFT LCD & Materials and the author of the report. “While there are still some technical concerns such as brightness performance, the LED backlight premium in the LCD monitor is much smaller than LCD TV. Meanwhile, the awareness of green technology and energy savings factors in LEDs has generated consumer demand. We are seeing panel makers and also monitor brands promoting LED backlights—resulting in panel makers’ aggressive target for 22% penetration in Q3’10.”

The DisplaySearch Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report tracks TFT LCD manufacturers’ shipments of LED backlights panels and includes forecasts by size, by resolution, by LED type, and by panel manufacturers and rolling in a eight quarters forecast. This unique report is the most comprehensive way to find out how LED backlight will contribute to growth across the industry, making it a key guide for panel buyers, notebook, LCD Monitor and LCD TV product planners and component makers. For information on the DisplaySearch Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report, contact Charles Camaroto at 1.888.436.7673 or 1.516.625.2452 or email contact@displaysearch.com, or contact your regional DisplaySearch office in China, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

“While certain factors, both economic and political, clearly influence short-term performance I am fundamentally confident of the success chances of our Healthcare business in the long run.” Mr. Rusckowski commented. “Our world is facing some inescapable challenges in the medium-to-long term. We have come a long way already in building up the Healthcare portfolio needed to face those challenges. This, coupled with our leading business positions and our differentiating approach in general, positions us well for the future, despite the short-term headwind we face today.”

During today’s meeting, several Healthcare executives will discuss the fundamental drivers and positioning of their respective businesses. For instance, the chief executive of Home Healthcare Solutions will discuss how ever-more pressing challenges like overburdened healthcare systems and ageing populations will lead to out-of-hospital medical treatment and patient monitoring becoming an increasingly important element in the Healthcare mix. He will elaborate on how Philips is excellently positioned to benefit from this trend, while providing sensible solutions to some of the key healthcare challenges of our time.

Other executives will cover a range of relevant topics, including progress made in building out the business in key emerging economies such as China, India and Latin America by making strategic acquisitions, expanding service businesses and extending the product offering. There will also be a session dedicated to Philips’ holistic care-cycle approach to Healthcare and how it gives the business a strong competitive edge. Steve Rusckowski will also discuss how, despite some short-term negative trends, the fundamentals of the business remain strong.

During the day, analysts will also be given more insight into Philips Healthcare’s efforts to tackle the short-term impact of the current economic slowdown through a strong focus on cost and cash management and ensuring that maximum value is captured from recent acquisitions. Philips will also provide an update on restructuring and cost reduction measures for Healthcare, which are now expected to result in total savings of EUR 150 million for 2009.

See also:

• New Intel Software Connects Health Networks, Enabling Key Data Sharing in Clinical Settings (0)

Lau was accused of asking an executive at the food supplier to pay him illegal kickbacks equal to some 10 percent of the sales amount of corn provided to McDonald’s outlets in Hong Kong, officials said.
Between 2005 and 2007, he accepted some 2.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($320,000) from the supplier, deposited to his and his wife’s bank accounts.
McDonald’s said Lau has been fired.
«McDonald’s does not tolerate criminal wrongdoing, or breaches of its code of conduct for employees,» the company said in a statement.
Lau joined the fast food giant in Los Angeles in 1983, according to an earlier press release on the company’s Web site.

He was the managing director of McDonald’s in the Philippines for three years before taking up the top post in Hong Kong in May 2004. Lau also spent 10 years expanding McDonald’s business in mainland China.
McDonald’s, headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, operates more than 200 restaurants and employs more than 10,000 people in Hong Kong, according to its Web site.

Lau, who faces fines and jail time when he’s sentenced next month, was convicted of two conspiracy charges. He was acquitted of a bribery offense.

Yitzchak Gat, CEO of Elisra said: “The Elisra system was selected after a long, in-depth evaluation process.” He added: “The selection of Elisra’s solution is another testament to the company’s technological leadership in the field, and we hope that the current award will be followed by additional contracts in the future.”

As a result of the acquisition, Centennial’s 1.1 million wireless subscribers — many of them in rural areas — will have access to the wireless network with the best global coverage and to the nation’s premier lineup of innovative wireless devices, including iPhone 3G, an AT&T exclusive. Centennial’s customers who choose select smartphones — such as the BlackBerry® BoldTM, another AT&T exclusive — and AT&T LaptopConnect cards will also enjoy free access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.

“Mobility is a vital investment area for AT&T and our company’s biggest growth driver,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “This transaction enhances network coverage for our consumer and business customers and is expected to create long-term value for AT&T’s stockholders.”

“This acquisition offers important benefits for wireless customers of both AT&T and Centennial,” de la Vega said. “Our existing customers will enjoy a better on-network calling experience in the current Centennial roaming areas. And Centennial customers will have access to a mobile-to-mobile network of nearly 75 million subscribers, AT&T’s national and international roaming capabilities, our terrific device offerings and our great portfolio of applications and services.”

The Centennial acquisition demonstrates AT&T’s commitment to continuously enhance network quality and coverage for its wireless customers. The addition of Centennial’s high-quality 850 MHz spectrum will improve service quality for AT&T customers in parts of Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas.

Centennial also provides switched voice and high-capacity data and Internet Protocol solutions for business customers in Puerto Rico. The transaction gives AT&T a network presence in Puerto Rico and will allow the company to better serve its multinational business customers with a presence in this U.S. territory.

“Centennial has a 20-year history of doing what is best for our customers, and this transaction is a natural next step for us,“ said Michael J. Small, CEO of Centennial. “As a result of this merger, our wireless customers will enjoy greatly expanded network coverage and access to AT&T’s wide range of innovative products and services. Our business customers will benefit from AT&T’s expertise in delivering networking services and solutions to businesses of all sizes.

“I thank our associates for their dedication and hard work in always rising to the challenges of our rapidly changing industry, and I take pride that our company will become part of a world-class organization like AT&T.“

Under terms of the agreement, Centennial stockholders will receive $8.50 per share for a total equity price of $944 million. Including net debt, the total enterprise value is approximately $2.8 billion. AT&T expects the proposed transaction to deliver significant value to its stockholders. The acquisition offers opportunities for synergies in areas including corporate overhead, advertising, customer care and network operations. In the first year after the transaction closes, AT&T expects minimal dilution to EPS and cash flow, driven by upfront integration costs.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, the approval of Centennial’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, Centennial’s largest stockholder, has agreed to vote in support of this transaction. AT&T is working to obtain approvals by the end of the second quarter of 2009.

Centennial’s 1.1 million wireless customers are in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as in Kalamazoo, Cass City, Newaygo, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Roscommon, Allegan, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon and Saginaw-Bay City, Mich.; Miami, Kosciusko, Huntington, Kokomo, Muncie, Anderson and Lafayette, Ind.; Lima and Findlay-Tiffin and Williams County, Ohio; Lafayette, Alexandria, Iberville, Bastrop and Lake Charles and Caldwell, West Feliciana, Beauregard and DeSoto parishes, La.; Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas; and Claiborne and Copiah counties, Miss.