Latest News
ST. LOUIS – LaBarge Inc. reported second-quarter fiscal 2008 profits were $3.4 million, up 6% compared to last year. Net sales rose 10% year-over-year to $67.1 million.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Internal Revenue Service will credit corporate taxes paid to the Mexican government while the IRS undertakes a study of that nation’s new corporate tax law.
Mexico's flat tax, called the IETU tax, went into effect Jan. 1. According to the previously issued U.S. IRS Notice 2008-3, the agency has not determined whether the IETU is qualified as an income tax under Article 24(1) of the US-Mexico Tax Treaty and is thus creditable. The agency is studying the new tax to make a determination.
The U.S. is Mexico's largest trading partner, buying about 80% of all exports.
Agreements are in place with the U.K., Italy, India, South Africa and the Bahamas on the new tax law.
FREMONT, CA – Dage Precision Industries will showcase new x-ray inspection developments at Virtual PCB, sponsored by UP Media Group, on Feb. 12-13.
Information will be available on the XiDAT XD7600NT, XD7500VR and XD7500NT x-ray inspection systems, as well as computerized tomography for 3-D modeling and volumetric measurement of critical solder interconnections.
Attendees can interact with the Dage technical staff to interactively discuss inspection challenges and receive the latest information on products and inspection solutions.
The Virtual PCB trade show is a fully interactive, Web-based event that incorporates all the features of a live event, including customized exhibit booths, live chat groups, lounge areas, technical presentations and online learning.
To register, visit www.circuitsassembly.com or www.virtual-pcb.com.
RICHARDSON, TX – Titan Global Holdings announced record revenue of $122 million and a consolidated net operating loss of $24.4 million for the first quarter of 2008, up 75.4% and 75.8% year-over-year, respectively.
Titan’s net operating loss included $21.1 million in net writedowns for goodwill in its communications and global brands divisions, and an additional $4.4 million asset writedown in its communications division.
Titan’s electronics and homeland security division, which includes its PWB and EMS operations, recorded revenues of $6.8 million and net operating income of $574,000; revenue increased 20.6% compared to the first quarter of 2007, on the acquisition of Nexus Nano (now called Neo EMS).
Titan’s communications division recorded revenue of $22.3 million and a net operating loss of $18.7 million, a revenue decrease of nearly 9% and a loss increase of 99% year-over-year.
Titan says it has initiated a plan to revitalize its communications division during the second quarter.
Titan’s net operating loss included $21.1 million in net writedowns for goodwill in its communications and global brands divisions, and an additional $4.4 million asset writedown in its communications division.
Titan’s electronics and homeland security division, which includes its PWB and EMS operations, recorded revenues of $6.8 million and net operating income of $574,000; revenue increased 20.6% compared to the first quarter of 2007, on the acquisition of Nexus Nano (now called Neo EMS).
Titan’s communications division recorded revenue of $22.3 million and a net operating loss of $18.7 million, a revenue decrease of nearly 9% and a loss increase of 99% year-over-year.
Titan says it has initiated a plan to revitalize its communications division during the second quarter.
TOKYO – Omron Corp. reported net sales rose 9.2% year-over-year to $5.2 billion for the nine-month period ended Dec. 31, backed by strong sales of electronic components and car electronics.
Net income increased 6.7% year-over-year to $272.2 million.
Capital investment in the semiconductor and electronic components industries weakened in comparison with the same period the previous year, but sales of factory automation control systems – Omron Group’s core business – were generally firm, the company says. Sales of automotive electronic components expanded in line with car electronics demands.
For the current quarter, Omron said markets are expected to be weak as a result of restrained capital investment, primarily among semiconductor and LCD manufacturers. The market for consumer and commerce components for IT and digital related products in Japan is expected to remain difficult to predict in the March quarter. Sales of automotive electronic components are projected to continue expanding, reflecting increasing needs for car electronics.
Omron expects net sales below original projections for the full year as a result of lower-than-expected demand for domestic private-sector investment.
SAN JOSE – Flextronics’s third-quarter adjusted net income rose 84% over last year to $250 million on net sales of $9.07 billion. The company’s December quarter sales were boosted 67%, thanks to its acquisition of rival Solectron Corp.
MINNEAPOLIS – HEI Inc. announced first-quarter sales fell nearly 17% year-over-year to $10 million.
NEWARK, NY – EMS provider IEC Electronics announced first-quarter revenues rose 21% year-over-year to $11.2 million. Net profit was $420,000, compared to a net loss of $576,000 last year.
LOS ALTOS, CA – Ongoing fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and the predicted retrenchment of consumer spending has put a dent in the prospects for light vehicle demand, Henderson Ventures reports, with unit output forecast to grow 2.5% this year, after a 5.4% burst in 2007, the research firm says.
The softening demand for vehicles will slow automotive electronics growth from 8.1% in 2007 to 5.6% in 2008. The pace will then accelerate to 7.9% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2010, when global automotive electronics production is forecast to reach $140 billion.
This year’s unit slowdown will be felt all over. For example, Chinese output growth will slow from 25.8% in 2007 to 15.5% this year.
Potential car buyers increasingly want onboard access to all entertainment electronics and gadgets they have at home, as evidenced by the profusion of video displays, MP3 player ports and power outlets. In short, increasing electronics content will help offset meager vehicle growth this year, Henderson reports.
The softening demand for vehicles will slow automotive electronics growth from 8.1% in 2007 to 5.6% in 2008. The pace will then accelerate to 7.9% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2010, when global automotive electronics production is forecast to reach $140 billion.
This year’s unit slowdown will be felt all over. For example, Chinese output growth will slow from 25.8% in 2007 to 15.5% this year.
Potential car buyers increasingly want onboard access to all entertainment electronics and gadgets they have at home, as evidenced by the profusion of video displays, MP3 player ports and power outlets. In short, increasing electronics content will help offset meager vehicle growth this year, Henderson reports.
OREM, UT – EMS provider Wolf Electronix is consolidating operations into its plant here, with the move expected to be complete by Feb. 5.
The company reports investments of nearly $2 million in equipment and facility upgrades have increased capacity more than 30+%.
The company will shutter its five-year-old Loveland, CO, facility, and has offered all full-time employees there positions in Utah.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American circuit board shipments fell 5.4% year-over-year in December, while orders rose 5.5%. For the year, shipments were down 8.7%, while bookings fell 6.3%, IPC said.
For the month, rigid shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were up 6.8% compared to 2006. For the year, shipments were down 8.9% and bookings were down 7%. Sequentially, shipments increased 8% and bookings increased 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.01.
Flex circuit shipments were up 1% in December, while bookings were down 9.7% year-over-year. For the year, flex circuit shipments were down 5.7% and bookings were up 4%. Sequentially, flex shipments were up 5.6% and bookings rose 2.2%. The book-to-bill was 1.0.
Compared to November, all shipments were up 7.8% and bookings were up 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.01.
For the month, rigid shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were up 6.8% compared to 2006. For the year, shipments were down 8.9% and bookings were down 7%. Sequentially, shipments increased 8% and bookings increased 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.01.
Flex circuit shipments were up 1% in December, while bookings were down 9.7% year-over-year. For the year, flex circuit shipments were down 5.7% and bookings were up 4%. Sequentially, flex shipments were up 5.6% and bookings rose 2.2%. The book-to-bill was 1.0.
Compared to November, all shipments were up 7.8% and bookings were up 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.01.
COSTA MESA, CA – A leading Koh Young Technology distributor will conduct advanced training on the OEM’s solder paste inspection systems next month.
Christopher Associates will hold the training seminar March 10-12, in Costa Mesa.
In addition to training on this SPI system, the seminar will emphasize recent software improvements including SPC software, as well as new hardware introductions and technology improvements.
For more information, contact angela.maniaci@christopherweb.com.
Christopher Associates will hold the training seminar March 10-12, in Costa Mesa.
In addition to training on this SPI system, the seminar will emphasize recent software improvements including SPC software, as well as new hardware introductions and technology improvements.
For more information, contact angela.maniaci@christopherweb.com.
Press Releases
- Indium Corporation to Showcase Sustainable Solutions for Power Electronics at PCIM
- Kubler US Corp. Expands to Texas and Surrounding States with FHP Reps
- Indium Corporation Experts to Present on High-Temperature, Lead-Free Solder Paste and High Reliability Liquid Metal Alloys Poster at ECTC
- Altus Adds PVA's Game Changing PathMaster X Software to Portfolio