(Hexagon Metrology: Cobham, Surrey, U.K.) -- The race is on for who will manufacture 1,000 mirrors for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT).

(INUS Technology Inc.: Seoul, South Korea) -- INUS Technology Inc. recently announced the release of Rapidform XOV2 Service Pack 2, which brings major improvements to the application’s reporting and 3-D scan measurement capabilities.

(InnovMetric Software: Quebec City) -- InnovMetric recently reached a significant milestone in the deployment of its universal 3-D metrology software platform, PolyWorks, in the automotive industry.

(Geomagic: Research Triangle Park, NC) -- Geomagic announced a new agreement with 3D3 Solutions as a reseller of the company’s powerful 3-D scan data processing software. 3D3 Solutions is a developer of 3-D scanning and visualization technologies.

(DongleLockBox Co.: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) -- DongleLockbox Co. announced the release of a new protective device that helps secure USB software dongles (software keys) from theft, loss, and damage.

(Automated Precision Inc.: Rockville, MD) -- Automated Precision Inc.

(FARO Technologies Inc.: Lake Mary, FL) -- FARO Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: FARO), the world’s leading provider of portable measurement and imaging solutions, celebrates 30 years in business in 2011.

(Metrologic Group: Wixom, MI) -- Over the last 15 years, Metrolog, the 3-D control software product from the Metrologic Group, has emerged as the benchmark industrial application for any kind of 3-D measurements.

One of the laments we hear quite frequently in the manufacturing sector is the lack of skilled employees available in the hiring pool.

I have long admired and respected Toyota. I have been to its factories, published and written books and articles about its revolutionary production system, known many of its brilliant people, and taught its methods to thousands of students.