SAN JOSE, CA – Sanmina-SCI Corp. today cut its quarterly revenue forecast and said earnings would be worse than expected because of weak demand for communications and high-end computers. The EMS firm lowered it estimate for revenue for the March quarter to about $2.6 billion, from its previous guidance of $2.65 billion to $2.75 billion. Non-GAAP earnings would also be below guidance, Sanmina said. Chief executive Jure Sola called the weakness short-term, saying business should improve in the second half. Sanmina said inventories are expected to fall least $90 million in its second quarter, and cash and equivalents would rise least $100 million.
SHENZHEN, CHINA – China's two leading telecom equipment providers, Huawei TechnologiesZTE Corp., are planning to build new manufacturing and R&D bases to speed up domestic and global expansion.
Huawei will spend a reported $517 million on a base in Dongguan. The company will build the base in phases, the first of which will be ready early next year. When fully operational, the cluster of factories will account for several billion dollars worth of Huawei's revenue, according to local media.
Huawei will spend a reported $517 million on a base in Dongguan. The company will build the base in phases, the first of which will be ready early next year. When fully operational, the cluster of factories will account for several billion dollars worth of Huawei's revenue, according to local media.
Huawei is also building a similar base in Langfang to be finished in July. It is also expected to generate billions in revenue.
ZTE is building a national R&D and manufacturing park in Shenzhen to expand its presence in cellphones. The park will cover 440,000 sq. meters and employ 15,000 workers.
BRUSSELS – The European Commission is requesting comments on the RoHS Directive in preparation for a revision most likely to be presented in 2008.
The EC will review measures provided for in the Directive, taking into account scientific evidence, according to an official announcement. The deadline for comments is May 22.
The EC will review measures provided for in the Directive, taking into account scientific evidence, according to an official announcement. The deadline for comments is May 22.
LAKE FOREST, CA -- EMS firm Probe Manufacturing
Inc. reported net profits of $425,134 on record revenues of $9.3 million for fiscal 2006. Sales were up 46% and the company reversed a net loss of $425,134 from 2005.
ITASCA, IL – Kester became the latest solder vendor to announce a surcharge on silver- and tin-containing solder paste products. The price increase will take effect 30 days from customer notification. As has been noted, metal costs have been increasing steadily for the past year and show no signs of retreating during the balance of 2007. As a result, solder vendors are passing along the higher costs to their customers. Kester is the third major supplier to announce a surcharge in recent weeks; the others were Cookson and Indium. The surcharges on Kester’s solder paste products are based on the difference between current metal costs and those from January 2006. The surcharge will be eliminated when tin and silver prices return to January 2006 levels, Kester said.
LOUISVILLE -- Just days after reiterating plans to lay off up to 1,500 workers, Solectron Corp. opened a 500,000 sq. ft. services center here and said it would hire up to 700 workers in the next 12 months.
The facility will perform parts fulfillment and repair for consumer electronics like cellphones.
The facility will perform parts fulfillment and repair for consumer electronics like cellphones.
