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br> This transaction represents the creation of a new world leader in smart cards and digital security, with 2005 pro forma revenues of approximately EUR 1.7 billion ($ 2.2 billion), operations in 120 countries, large operational centers in the Paris and Marseille areas, and 11,000 employees including 1,500 R&D engineers. After further review, Axalto and Gemplus have reconfirmed their initial estimate of the synergies arising from this transaction, expected to amount to EUR85 million (US$100 million) per year on a fully-phased basis.

Saab is acquiring Ericsson Microwave Systems (EMW) which has approximately 1250 employees in Gothenburg, Sweden. The acquisition adds radar and sensor operations to Saab's product portfolio in defence, aviation, space and civil security. The purchase sum is SEK 3,8 billion. The purchase also includes the Ericsson 40 percent share in Saab Ericsson Space, a subcontractor for equipments to commercial satellites.

Saab and EMW have been working closely together for a long time. EMW currently delivers the radar for the Gripen fighter. The acquisition enables Saab to create scope of action to secure the Gripen's long-term development.

EMW's defence operation has supplied more than 3000 radar systems in over 30 countries. EMW's operations within National Security and Personal Safety as well as Power Systems, with a total of 300 employees, will remain part of Ericsson.
The defence operation within EMW has sales of approximately 2 billion SEK and at the start of 2006 had order backlog of approximately 3.5 billion SEK. Exports make up approximately 65 percent of turnover.

In an other deal, Ericsson offered €30 million to buy the IP-telephony and communication specialist Netwise.

The Swedish EMS provider Note has signed a letter of intent to acquire Nordic-Printdesign, which offers PCB design know-how. Nordic-Printdesign currently has 8 employees at offices in Oslo and Stockholm. This acquisition marks the first step in Note’s initiative to increase its market share in Norway.

Nu Horizons Electronics, a global US distributor of advanced technology active semiconductor, display and system solutions, announced a non-binding letter of intent to acquire DT Electronics, a franchised technical distributor of electronic components based in Coventry, United Kingdom. For its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, DT Electronics has reported revenues of approximately US$25 million. Established in 1987, DT Electronics' products come from suppliers of semiconductors, power supplies and passive components.

Acculogic announces a further expansion in board test capabilities with a successful bid to purchase Scorpion Technologies in Germany.

Triton, an independent European private equity investor, and the Dematic management have together taken over the shares in the worldwide Dematic business from Siemens. This step concludes the realignment of Dematic - which started in September last year - leaving the company as an autonomous enterprise. The companies involved have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction or of the sale price. Dematic is one of the world's leading suppliers of logistics automation equipment. Dematic employs about 4,000 people and achieved a business volume of more than 800 million euros.