Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Current Issue

News

SAN JOSE – The 90-day moving average order for North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment was $1.5 billion in October, up 37% year-over-year but down 9% sequentially, according to the SEMI trade group.

The book-to-bill ratio was 0.95, meaning $95 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month average worldwide billings was $1.57 billion, off 6% from revised September figures and up 37 % over October 2005.

In a statement, SEMI president and CEO Stanley T. Myers said, "Orders for semiconductor equipment have declined from the peak levels posted in June, though they are significantly higher than levels reported one year ago. There has been a gradual decline over the past three months, as the industry absorbs new capacity.”

The SEMI book-to-bill is a ratio of three-month moving averages of worldwide bookings and billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers.

SAN JOSE -- Sarantel, a maker of antennas for wireless devices, will outsource production to Sanmina-SCI Corp. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sanmina-SCI will provide Sarantel with procurement, manufacturing and logistics services from its Singapore facility. Sanmina-SCI is also expected to eventually acquire certain Sarantel manufacturing assets but not its buildings or employees.

Sarantel said the deal will help it cut costs, improve competitiveness and operate in closer proximity to its Asian customers.

"Over time we expect high volume, cost-sensitive products to transfer to Asia while our British plant's focus shifts to new process development, new product introduction and niche market antenna production," said Sarantel chief executive David Wither.

Jerry Rodrigues, executive vice president Asia PCB at Sanmina-SCI, said: "Sarantel operate(s) in high growth markets and have a unique and exciting product offering. The high technical requirements of their product can be supported by our strong manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to working with Sarantel and enabling them to utilize our extensive manufacturing and supply chain solutions."

VANCOUVER -- Moventis Capital, a buyout and growth management company, has closed on its C$7 million acquisition of EMS company PTL Electronics.

PTL has revenues of C$10.2 million and EBITDA of C$1.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Over the first two quarters 2007 revenues rose 25% and 36.2%, respectively, year over year.

At closing, Moventis paid C$3 million in cash and $1.2 million in common shares. The balance of the purchase price consisted of convertible debentures in the aggregate amount of C$2.3 million, convertible into common shares at the option of Moventis. A final cash payment in the amount of C$500,000 is payable within 12 months after closing.

"We're excited to finalize the acquisition of PTL and get started on our growth plan for this tremendous company," said Moventis chairman and CEO Blake Ponuick. "Even without access to significant resources, PTL has developed into a successful company with long standing customer relationships. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and providing expertise and resources to further accelerate growth."