!%Hexagon Metrology Inc.%! of North Kingstown, R.I., a metrology equipment and software provider, has entered into a strategic distribution partnership with Ellison Technologies Inc., a computer numeric control machine tools and metal cutting solutions distributor. The latter company of Santa Fe Springs and Berkeley, Calif., has become the authorized distributor of the former company’s products used in quality control applications for manufacturing. The partnership will allow both companies to more effectively serve the requirements of the manufacturing community throughout the western US, particularly in the aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, wind power and heavy machinery markets.