The L.S. Starrett Co. (Athol, MA) has rolled out the Starrett Equipment Finance program. The equipment-leasing program allows customers to defray their initial investment. The Decatur, AL, manufacturing plant of Dyneon LLC (Oakdale, MN) was awarded the Director's Award in Pollution Prevention from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Oxford Instruments Analytical (Elk Grove Village, IL) has acquired certain assets of CMI International. The acquisition allows Oxford Instruments to extend its product range to include coating measurement instruments. Vermont Thread Gage, a new subsidiary of Vermont Precision Tools Inc. (Swanton, VT), will be located in Franklin, KY. Xygent Inc. (Warwick, RI), developer and distributor of an enterprisewide metrology architecture and applications suite, has named Advanced CMM Inc. (Wixom, MI) an Xact Technology Provider. The agreement authorizes Advanced CMM to provide training, technical support, and contract inspection and programming services for Xygent metrology software. Motion Industries Inc. (Birmingham, AL) has opened a new branch in Greenwood, SC. FeinFocus USA (Stamford, CT) has completed the expansion of its laboratories in Stamford, CT, and San Jose, CA. Both locations offer test and inspection services. Q-Panel Lab Products (Cleveland) has opened its new headquarters. The 53,000-square foot facility houses administration, manufacturing, research and development. Eagle-Picher Hillsdale (Inkster, MI) has received the Spicer Driveshaft Preferred Supplier Award from Dana Corp. (Toledo, OH). The Hillsdale Div. met the requirements of a QS-9000 company and achieved a supplier rating of more than 90% for four consecutive quarters.

Nixon Tool Co. Inc. (Richmond, IN) has achieved ISO 9001 certification.