AUSTRALIA: Knorr-Bremse acquired rail driving simulator manufacturer Sydac on December 16, saying the purchase forms part of a strategy of targeted acquisitions to strengthen its position in a number of markets.

It is the fourth acquisition by Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems in 2009, following from precision machining firm De Zan and circuit breaker manufacturer EMC Traction, both based in Italy, and US brake hose specialist Premtec. The acquisitions have been financed from current cash flow.