Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

ST. PETERSBURG — Just months after receiving millions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives as part of a controversial proposal to stay rooted here, Jabil has asked for a two-year extension on its plans for a new headquarters. The state has not issued a statement on the request.

Last fall, Jabil negotiated some $34 million in incentives from local and state government in exchange for promises to invest some $50 million in the headquarters and increase its local employment. Jabil isn't eligible for the incentives until work on the headquarters is ready to start, according to reports.

Construction on the site was scheduled to begin this year, but facing lower revenues, Jabil asked for the extension, local papers are reporting. Per the agreement, Jabil may make a request for a delay once.

DONGGUAN, CHINA – EMS provider Express Manufacturing Inc. has opened a 120,000 sq. ft. subsidiary in Dongguan.

The Hong Kong-based subsidiary, EAL Electronics Ltd. (EMI Asia Ltd.), has been fully accredited by ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004.

EAL provides flexible high-mix/batch-volume and high-volume production on Fuji lines, RoHS materials handling, turnkey (material sourcing) solutions and DFX Services.

SHENZHEN – Workers at JDS Uniphase's manufacturing facility here are resuming operations following a reported walkout, according to company sources. The plant is scheduled to be acquired by Sanmina-SCI in the next two months, and reports held the workforce sought certain incentives as part of the deal.

EXPORT, PA – Advanced Manufacturing Technologies recently finished renovations on a 30,000 sq. ft. production facility and corporate headquarters in Westmoreland Industrial Park.

The structure permits the contract electronics manufacturer to consolidate operations under one roof.

Key features include conductive flooring, global humidity control and the addition of a second level of administrative offices. The space can house upgraded automation equipment and includes an employee meeting room.

SMYRNA, GA – UP Media Group Inc. seeks abstracts for PCB Design Conference West 2009, to be held Sept. 14 - 18 in Santa Clara, CA.

The event includes a five-day technical conference and two-day exhibition.

PCB West annually provides a conference and exhibition focused on the design and manufacture of PCBs, HDI and other advanced circuits.

The five-day conference is comprised of a three-day technical conference and a professional development certificate program of one- and two-day courses.

Papers and presentations of the following durations are sought for the technical conference: one-hour lectures and presentations; two-hour workshops, and half-day (3.5 hour) seminars.

Papers and presentations of the following durations are sought for a professional development certificate program of in-depth courses: one-day tutorials (7 hours of instruction) and two-day tutorials (14 hours of instruction).

Suggested paper and presentation topics include high speed, high frequency and signal integrity; component placement; EMI/EMC analysis; thermal analysis; Pb-free processes (especially how they affect design and fabrication); environmental legislation (REACH, RoHS, etc.) and its effects; RF and microwave design; packaging design; mixed-signal design; area arrays; FPGA design and implementation; embedded passives and active devices; flexible circuitry; HDI design and technologies; PCB design/layout basics; component library creation and management; design for manufacture, test and assembly; design (including analog, digital and power supplies); PCB fabrication; surface finishes; industry forecasts, and business and supply chain issues.

Papers and presentations must be noncommercial in nature and should focus on technology, techniques or methodology. If selected, final papers and presentations will be due in July.

Printed Circuit Design & Fab and Circuits Assembly magazines are media partners for the event.

Submit abstracts by Mar. 17 at www.pcbwest.com/speakers/abstract.shtml.

For more information, visit www.pcbwest.com.