Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

LONDON -- The U.K. Department of Trade and Industry has completed its implementation review of the WEEE directive and is now holding informal discussions with companies on "whether the implementation proposals will deliver the objectives and obligations set by the directive in an effective and efficient way.”

The DTI emphasized, however, that further review of the implementation plans will not be sought.

SHANGHAI -- SMTA China will officially form next week during Nepcon China in Shanghai, kicking off its first executive committee meeting in conjunction with the SMTA Hong Kong chapter’s annual meeting.

A ceremony and dinner will be held April 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Centre International Hotel.

TORRANCE, CA -- The Micro Printer division of Seiko Instruments USA Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Mouser Electronics to distribute its thermal printers.

"We are very enthusiastic to be working with Mouser Electronics,” said Bob Falco, director and division manager, of the Micro Printer division. “This agreement really complements our existing distribution channels. "

Glenn Smith, president and CEO of Mouser, said, “Adding Seiko Instruments thermal printers to our broad repertoire of products is a great complement to our line card, and we are excited about the opportunity to offer our customers these innovative, high-quality products."

VANCOUVER -- Nam Tai Electronics today reaffirmed its timetable for construction of new manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen by the end of 2006.

The EMS company recently acquired approximately 1.3 million sq. ft. of proprty in the Guangming Hi-Tech Industrial Park in Shenzhen and will invest $150 million in the expansion.

SAN JOSE -- Electronics manufacturing services provider Sanmina-SCI will help develop and build the WiMAX Mini-PCI for Wavesat Inc., a fabless supplier of baseband chips for WiMAX compliant systems.

WiMAX Mini-PCI modules are based on Wavesat’s WiMAX 3.5 GHz Mini-PCI reference design, and incorporates Wavesat chipsets and coprocessors.

David Dutkowsky, executive vice president for Sanmina-SCI’s communications infrastructure division, said, "Wavesat’s unique WiMAX expertise and strategic positioning, in conjunction with our manufacturing capability and international presence, will result in tangible benefits for the WiMAX industry worldwide."

SAN JOSE -- Fabless chip package designer Tessera Technologies has the inside track to win its patent infringement and antitrust cases against Micron Technology and Infineon Technologies, a Wall Street analyst said Friday.