Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES -- Shareholders of Speedy-Tech Electronics Ltd., a
Singapore-based EMS and power electronics company, have approved the company's merger with Integrated Microelectronics Inc., a Philippines-based electronics manufacturing service provider.

The merged entity would have a combined revenue of $265 million and profit after tax and minority interests of about $30 million, based on the latest 2004 audited financials.

ENDICOTT, NY -- Endicott Interconnect Technologies, IBM's former manufacturing arm, has teamed with Universal Instruments Corp. to automate and maximize production of very large, complex printed circuit cards and assemblies.

Endicott Interconnect, which builds PCBs, assemblies and chip packages, is using Universal's Advantis Flip Chip placement system and Polaris multi-process assembly machines to fully automate production of a high-performance chip carrier for a leading military supplier.

The product has several hundred surface-mount components, several memory devices and a very large heat spreader, Endicott Interconnect said in a press statement.

"Due to the mission critical nature of the product, we require stringent accuracy along with the ability to gang pick- and-place the larger components and sophisticated parts tracking," said Raj Raj, Endicott Interconnect senior engineering manager. "In partnership with Universal, we are able to achieve an advanced and innovative solution for these unique manufacturing needs."

WEST CHICAGO, IL -- Connectors used in instrumentation products are a $700 million market and growing, said a new research report.

Bishop & Associates says sales of connectors used in instrumentation applications will grow to over $1 billion by 2009.

The 200-page research report also notes that the instrumentation market is not moving to China, provides high profit margins and growth that exceeds industry averages.

MIDLAND, MI — Dow Chemical will increase prices for all grades of epoxy resins sold in North America by $0.05/lb, the company said today. The increases are effective Nov. 1, 2005, or as contract terms permit.

Dow said the increase is driven by various factors, including additional increases in feedstock and energy prices, and difficulties in transporting key raw materials due to the combined impact of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in North America.

Epoxy resins are used in laminates for printed circuit boards.

CLEVELAND – Keithley Instruments will expand in Singapore and open of two offices in Malaysia for direct sales and support of its electrical test and measurement solutions, the company said today.

In a statement, chairman, president and CEO Joseph P. Keithley said, “Our new sales and support offices in Singapore and Malaysia allow us to build closer working partnerships with local customers."

More than 50% of the company's sales come from outside the U.S.

CHICAGO -- Newark InOne, a small-quantity distributor of electronics components and test equipment, has added to its product line pre-calibrated test equipment, an expanded range of panel instrumentation, and custom capabilities for analog and digital panel meters, and controllers.

In a statement, the company said its Newark InOne Services metrology lab in Colorado is calibrating clamp meters, digital multimeters, oscilloscopes and benchtop power supplies from Fluke, Tektronix, Agilent, B&K, Amprobe and Megger. Certification with data accompanies all test equipment.

"Newark InOne Services is all about saving our customers time and increasing their productivity," said Paul Tallentire, president, Newark InOne. "When you buy a scope or meter from us that's already been calibrated, you can start using it from day one."

In July 2005, Newark InOne purchased the assets of Colorado-based R&R Instrumentation and transferred all of its business and employees to create the new division.