Research-and-development expenditures in the United States are expected to increase about 5 percent to $277 billion in 2001, according to the annual Battelle-R&D Magazine research and development forecast.

        The increase is largely driven by industrial support, which continues to dominate both the amount and growth of R&D spending, the forecast said.

        However, the growth is also tempered by the unpredictable state of the dot.com world and stock market fluctuations, which can influence near-term spending, such as research and development, the study said.

        Industry will increase its R&D spending — at a rate that significantly exceeds inflation — by about 6.5 percent to $190 billion.
       

Hyster MidEast buys company in Lexington

        Hyster MidEast, the large lift-truck dealer created by the merger of Cincinnati's Bode Finn Co. and Quimby Material Handling in northeast Ohio, has expanded into Lexington with the acquisition of BGM Equipment Co.

        Terms were not disclosed. The BGM purchase is the second this year by Hyster MidEast, which acquired Brambles Clarklift in Columbus in August.
       

Cincom begins testing DynaPoint technology

        CityTrotter LLC and Springdale's Cincom Systems Inc. have begun testing CityTrotter's DynaPoint (Dynamic Proximity Information Technology) product for future use as a component to Cincom's Customer Relationship Management software.

        CityTrotter LLC is a technology marketer and software developer with offices in Cincinnati. Its products are applied for use on the Internet, application service providers and interactive voice response units.
       

American Fan Co. sold to Global Air Holdings

        Marconi Plc, Britain's largest phone-equipment maker, has agreed to sell its fan-making unit, including the American Fan Co. plant in Fairfield, to Global Air Movement Holdings, a company formed by the Compass Capital Partners, a private investment group, for $78 million.

        The sale includes the American Fan plant at 2933 Symmes Road and Woods Air Movement business in England. Marconi will retain a 42 percent interest in the new company and Compass will hold the balance. The sale is slated for completion in January.
       

Bond Hill organization schedules Toyota tours

        In a effort to boost insight into the Toyota Production System, TechSolve, the Bond Hill manufacturing assistance organization, will sponsor quarterly tours of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky's plant in Georgetown. TechSolve was formerly known as the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Sciences.

        The daylong bus tours will leave from Cincinnati Feb. 15 and July 12 and from Dayton April 19 and Oct. 18. Registration is required 30 days in advance. Information: Kristen Wiltanger, (513) 948-2108 or e-mail wiltanger@techsolve.org.

Montgomery Ward to close doors
Consumer optimism falls to 2-year low
Existing-home sales jump
Helping hand for sticky fingers
Mechanic delivers news as Cyber Paperboy
Cleveland steel giant may fold
Industry notes: Manufacturing
Tristate Business Summary
What's the Buzz?