Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Current Issue

News

NAMPA, ID -- Plexus Inc. this week laid off 35 full-time employees and 100 part-time workers here, but reiterated its commitment to the Boise area assembly site. The cuts represent about 7% of the company's full-time staffing in Nampa.

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian exports slumped 4.9% year-over-year in November on the market for electronics products fell nearly 11%.

Overall exports were $14.8 billion for the month, beating economists' estimates but still the lowest drop in seven years. Electrical and electronics products make up about 40% ($5.92 billion) of the nation's exports.

Singapore, Japan and the US are the biggest recipients of Malaysian-built products. Exports to the US dropped 17% year-over-year in November, and demand for locally manufactured products from companies such as Dell, Western Digital and Intel slowed. The US was once Malaysia's biggest trading partner but has slipped to third in the past two years.

Malaysia remains a bright spot in the world economy, with a large trade surplus and GDP forecasts calling for 2.8% growth in 2009.

EAST WINDSOR, CT – Blue Thunder Technologies Inc. reported 26% growth in 2008.

The privately held company, which manufactures wiping products and supplies consumable items used in cleanrooms, assembly lines, laboratories and manufacturing, has had double-digit growth since it was founded in 2001.

The firm says it is hiring and moving to new corporate headquarters that will quadruple its existing facility.