Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

SHANGHAI -- In what is sure to send cold chills through those who bring back dozens of black-market DVDs from trips to China, the nation has announced plans to develop its own next-generation DVD standard to break the monopoly of foreign companies and avoid paying heavy licensing fees.

Rome, NY – The ESD Association (esda.org) is requesting abstracts for technical papers covering the effects of electrostatic discharge, electrical overstress and static electricity for its EOS/ESD Symposium, Sept. 12-14, 2006, in Tucson, AZ.

Papers should cover: component, system or factory level EOS/ESD; EOS/ESD materials technology; electrostatic considerations, magnetic recording heads; and ESD standards.

Submit a 50-word abstract and four-page summary of the work by January 9, 2006 using a form available on the Website.

Minneapolis, MN -- During the Annual Meeting at SMTA International last week, the association honored members who have shown exceptional service to the association and the industry.

Greg Evans, president of Indium Corp., received the Founder's Award for his contributions to the SMTA and the industry at large. Evans, a member since 1985, served on the Board of Directors from 1994-2000 and frequently chaired or co-chaired technical sessions. He encourages his employees to become involved as chapter leaders, committee members and participants at SMTA events locally, nationally and internationally.

The Member of Distinction Award was presented posthumously to Ron Daniels of Circuitnet and ITM Consulting. Daniels, a previous editor for Circuits Assembly, provided support to the local Atlanta chapter, and served on the SMTA International Technical Committee. He played a foundational role in the establishment of an educational grant in memory of Charles Hutchins, and organized the Atlanta SMTA Expo Job Fair.

The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Michael Jansen of Lucent Technologies and Gary Tanel of TechBiz Consulting. Jansen has dedicated himself to the success of the Boston Chapter, and helped arrange joint activities with IMAPS, to broaden the scope of the chapter's educational activities.

Gary Tanel served on the SMTA Board of Directors from 1999 to 2002 as VP of membership and a Planning Committee member, while also chairing the Membership Committee and serving on the Chapter Leadership, Internet, Nominating, Awards and Technical Committees. He has been a chapter officer in Dallas, including secretary, treasurer and president, where he took a role in conducting Academy programs and in developing the first Vendor Day.

ITM Consulting received the SMTA+ Corporate Partnership Award.

MILPITAS, CA -- Solectron Corp. this week reported a fiscal fourth-quarter net profit of $10 million on sales of $2.40 billion. Revenue slumped badly versus a year ago, down 21% from $3.04 billion.

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Electronic Systems Inc. today promoted Gary Larson to president, superseding founder Leo Reynolds, who becomes vice chairman.

The EMS firm also named Steve Hillesheim director of program management, and Jeff Tomassoni regional director of sales in the Minneapolis area.

In a statement, Reynolds said, "Our business grew 17% in 2004 and we have added seven new customers in 2005. We feel that these organizational changes and expansion of our sales team provide a strong foundation to support this growth in revenue and services."

The moves free Reynolds to focus on business development, customer relations and strategic planning.

Larson, who has been with Electronic Systems for six years, has prior experience at Litton Corp., Appleton Electric Co., E.F. Johnson, Telex Corp. and Pemstar.

Hillesheim has been with the company for two years, and Tomassoni has 22 years experience in EMS, including positions at Reptron Manufacturing, Micro Dynamics, SCI Systems, Pemstar, Manufacturer's Services Ltd., Harvard Custom Manufacturing and Hibbing Electronics.

SAN JOSE — Second quarter revenue from electronic design automation was $1.09 billion, down $3 million a year ago. Product (non-service) revenue was $1.03 billion, up from $1.02 billion, boosted by PCB and IC tool demand, which offset drops in computer-aided engineering, said the EDA Consortium.

"The EDA industry continues to realign, as strength in printed circuit board, IC physical design and verification, offsets weakness in traditional markets like computer-aided engineering," said EDAC chairman Wally Rhines. "Japan continued its strong growth momentum, up 15% over the second quarter of 2004."

EDA's largest tool category, computer-aided engineering, recorded sales of $445 million in Q2, down 6% year-over-year. PCB and MCM revenue increased 3% to $86 million. IC physical design and verification was up 2% to $289 million. Semiconductor Intellectual Property revenue was up 13% to $208 million

North America purchased $528 million of EDA products and services in Q2, flat compared to last year. Western Europe revenue was essentially flat at $189 million. Japan reported revenue growth of 15% to $242 million. Rest-of-world rose 5% to $132 million.