31.   Competition for the pipeline is reaching a peak as oil companies prepare to announce which route they favor.

32.   Consumer electronics companies are preparing to introduce a new format for recorded music that will provide more vibrant and true-to-life sound than existing compact disks.

33.   Compagnie de Suez and Lyonnaise des Eaux will remain in focus as the companies prepare a merger.

34.   Companies nationwide are preparing to report earnings for the quarter ending Wednesday, and the forecasts are not encouraging.

35.   Expectations of lower demand next week come as utilities and pipeline companies prepare for peak consumption during the colder months ahead.

36.   For that matter it does not even know whether other companies are preparing to jump into the market, and under what circumstances.

37.   For example, to make the children feel special, companies prepare special treats for them.

38.   For now, even though many companies are preparing contingency plans for serious disruptions, betting on such trouble looks like a no-win situation to many corporate marketers.

39.   Glenicki said the company is preparing to handle double that number, so she warns that the system might still bog down, especially at first.

40.   He said such companies should prepare for crisis situations.