SUPPLIER SHORTS:Emerson Power Transmission, St. Louis, said it purchasedSystem Plast S.p.A., a Telgate, Italy-based producer of engineered modular belts and custom conveyor components for the beverage, baking, food processing and packaging industries. The deal helps Emerson better "service marquee food and beverage customers around the globe," officials said. System Plast will join Emerson's Industrial Automation business unit. . . .Dr. Zhinong Yanwas hired as a senior food safety scientist forMol Industries Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich., supplier of ThermoDrive belting. Mol said Dr. yan has more than 20 years experience in microbiology and previously was a research assistant professor at Michigan State University's food safety microbial lab.