Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $285.6 million in orders in January, down 75% from a year ago, the SEMI trade group said. The book-to-bill was 0.48, well under the 1.0 benchmark indicating near-term growth.

WESTLAKE, OH -- Nordson Corp., parent company to EFD, Asymtek and other top electronics OEM suppliers, reported first-quarter sales fell 24% from a year ago to $187 million. For the quarter ended Jan. 31, net income was down 48% to $11 million.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Vizio Inc. in the fourth quarter surpassed Sony to become the US’s second-largest flat-panel television brand, according to iSuppli Corp.

Vizio accounted for 14.3% of flat panel TV (LCD and plasma) unit shipments in the US in the fourth quarter, up 3.11 points from the third quarter. Sony and Samsung Electronics declined 0.42 points and 0.62 points, respectively, during the same period. Sony’s share declined to 13.5% in the fourth quarter. Samsung was number one, with a 20.2% share.

No. 4 Panasonic saw shipments rising 3.12 points to a 10.7% share. LG was fifth at 10.6%.

“Brands are finding it hard to survive in the current economic climate amid tough price competition,” iSuppli said, noting a shakeout among suppliers. “Olevia LCD-TVs are no longer available since the company filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Pioneer has announced its exit from the television market. During 2009, a few value brands will disappear from the market. The brands that survive will be the ones that either own or have very close ties with the LCD and plasma panel makers, allowing them to keep their costs."

BILLERICA, MA -- Jabil Circuit will close its plant in Billerica by August, with most operations ending in May, the company told employees yesterday. About 350 employees will be laid off.

ALPHARETTA, GA -- AssemblÃ©on next week will launch its MC (Modular Compact) Platform for high-quality, high-mix production during the Virtual PCB online trade show.

It is the first time an electronics equipment OEM is using this online event for a major product launch.

HONG KONG -- Foxconn International Holdings, part of Hon Hai, will lay off an unspecified number of employees and close certain plants, the company said today.

Plans to open a plant in Vietnam may be put on hold until the economy improves, the company also said, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.

Foxconn, the world's largest EMS/ODM per the Circuits Assembly EMS Top 50, has undergone some layoffs and consolidated certain production facilities, Foxconn spokesman Vincent Tong told the Wall Street Journal, declining to provider further details.