Tech Digest: Rayovac, Inacom, TomoTherapy, Regal-Beloit, Modine

Rayovac signs $1.2 billion deal for United Industries

Madison, Wis. – Battery and household products manufacturer Rayovac Corp. has negotiated a contract to purchase St. Louis-based firm United Industries for $1.2 billion dollars of cash and common stock, with the deal expected to close in February. The deal will give Rayovac an increased foothold in the lawn and garden product market, obtaining United brands such as Spectracide, Vigoro and Sta-Green.

Inacom joins EMC services network

Madison, Wis. — Inacom Information Systems, Inc., has become a member of EMC Corporation’s network of authorized service firms. Inacom will design and implement networked storage based on EMC systems.

TomoTherapy recruits former Marquette Medical CEO

Madison, Wis. — Fred Robertson, former CEO of Marquette Medical Systems (now part of GE Healthcare), has joined TomoTherapy as its CEO. TomoTherapy makes cancer treatments designed to deliver radiation to tumors and minimize the effect on other tissues. Robertson has an MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from San Diego State University.

Regal-Beloit buys $400 million division of GE

Beloit, Wis. — The Regal-Beloit Corporation announced on Monday they have finalized their purchase of General Electric’s Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Motors and Capacitors Industrial Unit, acquiring the heating and air conditioning manufacturer for $400 million of cash and common stock. This makes the second GE business to be purchased by Regal-Beloit, who obtained GE Commercial Motors for $72.5 million in August 2004.

Modine back on Forbes’ Platinum list

Racine, Wis. – Modine Manufacturing Company, a firm specializing in thermal management systems for vehicles and industrial equipment, announced on Monday they have been named one of seven “Comeback Companies” by Forbes magazine and have been placed back on the Platinum 400 list of the “Best Big Companies in America”. Modine was a member of the magazine’s inaugural Platinum 400 list in 1999.