News
SAN JOSE -- North American-based
manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.1 billion in orders
in October on a three-month average basis. The book-to-bill ratio was 0.95, according to SEMI.
A book-to-bill of 0.95 means that $95 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
The three-month worldwide bookings average was up 12% over revised September levels and 20% below October 2004.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in October 2005 was $1.16 billion, up 6% from revised September figures but down 19% from last year.
The numbers also include revised August bookings.
"Bookings and billings for North American based semiconductor equipment providers have been stable for the past six months," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "It is encouraging to see the recent improvement in bookings as the industry continues to ramp 300 mm production and is beginning to invest in 65 nanometer technology."
A book-to-bill of 0.95 means that $95 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
The three-month worldwide bookings average was up 12% over revised September levels and 20% below October 2004.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in October 2005 was $1.16 billion, up 6% from revised September figures but down 19% from last year.
The numbers also include revised August bookings.
"Bookings and billings for North American based semiconductor equipment providers have been stable for the past six months," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "It is encouraging to see the recent improvement in bookings as the industry continues to ramp 300 mm production and is beginning to invest in 65 nanometer technology."
WEST CHICAGO -- Price erosion of surface mount connectors during the past five years has been significant and painful, says Bishop and Associates.
The research firm cites as the main reason the migration of manufacturing to China. "There is no doubt that connector prices have been significantly influenced by the lower costs [of China]. The lower prices are a function of the lower manufacturing costs."
Once the manufacturing migration to China has “run its course” and China prices are fully implemented, connector prices will stabilize, Bishop said. "In effect, the China influence on lower prices is a one-time occurrence. That is, once China pricing is in the marketplace, connector prices stabilize and stop declining. Once the lower costs are passed along, it’s over. There is no more to give the OEMs."
The research firm cites as the main reason the migration of manufacturing to China. "There is no doubt that connector prices have been significantly influenced by the lower costs [of China]. The lower prices are a function of the lower manufacturing costs."
Once the manufacturing migration to China has “run its course” and China prices are fully implemented, connector prices will stabilize, Bishop said. "In effect, the China influence on lower prices is a one-time occurrence. That is, once China pricing is in the marketplace, connector prices stabilize and stop declining. Once the lower costs are passed along, it’s over. There is no more to give the OEMs."
Prices have begun to level, Bishop wrote. "We have already started to achieve connector price stability. Feedback from the industry suggests that the 7-10% price erosion of the past few years has slowed to the historical norm of 3-4% price erosion."
Bermuda-based Tyco International plans to close 16 of its
electronics
manufacturing factories in North American and Europe and may even spin off some businesses. The
conglomerate will take a restructuring charge of up to $175 million,
$60 million in fiscal 2006.
