Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

SAN JOSE, CA – X-line Asset Management, a provider of disposition and auction services, will conduct a second auction on behalf of Connor Winfield for the former assets of AG Communications in Genoa, IL, on July 10-12. The online liquidation includes over 200 pieces of SMT, PCB, and test and measurement equipment.

The company will also auction surplus equipment for Benchmark Electronics in Leicester, UK, on July 18. Highlighted items include 10 high-speed Siemens pick-and-place machines, three Genrad ICT testers and three DEK screen printers.

X-line is conducting this second sale in conjunction with the Branford Group and Bache Treharne.

For more info. about the auctions, visit xlineassets.com.

Wellesley, MA -- The value of the worldwide conformal coatings market hit $800 million in 2005, according to a new report from BCC Research. It is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2010, an average annual growth rate of 15.2%. Key markets include semiconductors/electronics, medical devices, aerospace and automotive.

Electronics use dominated the conformal coatings market in 2005 and will continue to do so through 2010, holding 46% of the market share and growing at an AAGR of 13.6%, BCC predicts. IC barriers will drive the semiconductor and electronics sectors. Conformal coatings also find frequent use in new device packing systems and high frequency wireless consumer electronics.

Conformal coatings are used in a range of electronics applications to provide a variety of distinctive performance characteristics to components and devices.

ALAMEDA, CA -- There is a continuing disconnect between what OEMs want and what they say they are receiving from the contract manufacturers that build their products. That's according to a new study by research firm Technology Forecasters Inc.

Based on interviews with approximately 130 managers at more than 100 OEMs, the top priority is a need for their contract manufacturers to reduce the total cost of ownership.

SAN FRANCISCO – North American CIOs predicted IT budgets would grow 6.9% over the next 12 months, down from 8.6% in March, according to a June poll by Deutsche Bank and CIO magazine. Spending projections were up in most categories but were down for data networking, storage systems and e-business applications.

TEMPE, AZ -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in June for the 37th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 56th consecutive month, according to the monthly ISM survey of manufacturing executives.

The PMI indicates that the manufacturing economy grew in June for the 37th consecutive month as it registered 53.8%, a decrease of 0.6 percentage point when compared to May's reading of 54.4%. A reading above 50% indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50% indicates that it is generally contracting.

The report was issued today by the Institute for Supply Management.

A PMI over 42%, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. The June PMI indicates that both the overall economy and the manufacturing sector are growing.

Year to date, the average PMI (55.4%) corresponds to a 4.6% increase in real GDP. The annualized June rate of 53.8% corresponds to a 4% increase in real GDP, said chairman Norbert J. Ore.

"Manufacturing growth continued in June, and although the rate of growth slowed slightly, renewed strength in June's new orders index provides encouragement for the third quarter. The sector is benefiting from the weaker dollar and business investment. While energy and raw material prices are still a concern, our members indicate that they are coping with the challenges, and generally see their businesses in a continuing growth mode."

The industries reporting growth in June included Industrial and Commercial Equipment and Computers, and Electronic Components and Equipment.

SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors grew 9.4% in May, the SIA reported today. Sales rose 0.7% sequentially, reaching $19.7 billion, on continued demands for new cellphones and other consumer electronics.

“Worldwide sales of semiconductors in May continued to reflect generally favorable worldwide economic conditions,” said SIA president George Scalise. “As consumer products drive an increasing proportion of microchip sales, the growth of the semiconductor industry more closely reflects overall economic growth."