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Computer peripherals industry

Lawsuits and Business Developments: A Snapshot of the Millennium Bug Era

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Los Angeles resident has sued NEC Technologies and Packard Bell NEC over the Millennium Bug, which allegedly crippled a personal computer the plaintiff purchased in 1997. The computer, a notebook PC, was unable to recognize dates after 2000, and the plaintiff claims the companies knew about the issue but sold the model anyway. Meanwhile, unions at Ford's Bridgend engine plant in South Wales are urging the company to continue producing the Zetec engine, used in European Ford cars, if the plant wins a contract to build a new engine. In other business news, Coltham Contracts of Birmingham has secured £6 million worth of new contracts in the city, and Deutsche Bank is exploring a possible partial merger with Dresdner Bank.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Los Angeles resident has filed a lawsuit against NEC Technologies and Packard Bell NEC over the Millennium Bug, which allegedly damaged a personal computer purchased in 1997.
  • The plaintiff claims the companies were aware of the issue but sold the model anyway.
  • Unions at Ford's Bridgend engine plant in South Wales are urging the company to continue producing the Zetec engine if the plant wins a contract to build a new engine.
  • The plant is competing with Ford sites in Valencia, Spain, and Cologne, Germany, for the contract.
  • Coltham Contracts of Birmingham has secured £6 million worth of new contracts in the city.
  • The firm has won two major contracts, one for £1.8 million to build a warehouse and offices at the Cole Valley Business Park, and another for £1.8 million to build a production and warehouse extension at Tenby Electrical's headquarters.
  • Deutsche Bank is exploring a possible partial merger with Dresdner Bank, with discussions centered on integrating Dresdner Bank's tax, computing, and marketing specialists with Deutsche Bank's clients department.
  • A senior Deutsche Bank official has confirmed "numerous discussions" among experts.

Statistics:

  • £6 million: the value of new contracts secured by Coltham Contracts of Birmingham in the past month.
  • £1.8 million: the value of a scheme to build a warehouse and offices at the Cole Valley Business Park, Greet.
  • £1.8 million: the value of a contract to build a production and warehouse extension at Tenby Electrical's headquarters at Newtown.
  • 1400: the number of employees at Ford's Bridgend engine plant in South Wales.
  • 1997: the year the Los Angeles resident purchased the notebook PC that allegedly suffered from the Millennium Bug.

Sources:

  • "Los Angeles Resident Sues NEC Over Millennium Bug."
  • "Ford Unions Warn of Disaster If Bridgend Plant Closes."
  • "Coltham Doubles Contracts in Birmingham."
  • "Deutsche Bank Holds Talks on Partial Merger with Dresdner Bank."

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