Office automation major Ricoh India Limited cut its net loss figure to Rs 3.09 crore for the third quarter against Rs 7.78 crore for the same period last year on the back of improved sales turnover, a company statement said. Sales revenue at Rs 12.84 crore for the October-December period was up 51 per cent compared with Rs 8.5 crore for the corresponding period last year. The 60 per cent reduction in the net loss figure and higher sales growth was due to efforts of the company to restructure operations by focussing on improved unit sales, value realisation and controlling expenditure.

Sulzer may team up with ABB:

Swiss multinational, Sulzer International is likely to team up with ABB and Electrowatt of Switzerland to bid for equity stakes in the proposed joint venture projects of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Sulzer has already made a presentation for the same to NHPC last month, company sources said. NHPC had invited global bidsto select joint ventures for developing four hydroelecrtic projects in the country which include 710 mw Koel Karo project in Bihar, 510 mw Teesta V project in Sikkim, 800 mw Parvathi II in Himachal Pradesh and 90 mw Loktak project in Manipur.

NIIT, Microsoft to offer IT course:

Information technology (IT) services major NIIT Ltd and software giant, Microsoft on Wednesday launched `Microsoft sales specialists programme' aimed to offer special sales and marketing training in IT. The course will provide IT professionals to have skills in Microsoft technologies and scientific methods in professional selling, besides creating a vast pool of trained IT professionals, NIIT president and CEO Vijay K Thadani told a conference in New Delhi.

Shree Cement saves Rs 3 cr on energy:

Shree Cement Ltd of the BG Bangur group has saved Rs 3 crore on energy consumption in 1998. Energy consumption has come down to 79 units from 88 units in the half year to December 31, 1998. It has also reduced coalconsumption to 724 kcal per tonne of clinker in the current year from 774 kcal in the corresponding half of 1997 which has resulted in a saving of Rs 1.75 crore. The company has been awarded the first prize for energy conservation in 1998 in the cement sector.