Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

SAN FRANCISCO – End-market demand remains relatively healthy, driven by robust growth in handsets, according to a new report from Deutsche Bank.

Following meetings with Flextronics, Jabil, Amphenol and Nam Tai Electronics Inc, the firm announced that “handset demand remains robust, while other high volume programs appear to be trending inline to slightly above plan.”

HAMILTON, VA -- Catcher Holdings Inc., a maker of portable handheld computer and communications devices, has inked a manufacturing deal with Key Tronic. Terms were not disclosed.

Chief executive Charles Sander said the deal will help Catcher Holdings in commercializing its proprietary wireless PCs. "We are excited to have KeyTronicEMS leverage its engineering, design and manufacturing expertise for the benefit of our technology."

SAN JOSE -- Outsourcing of cellphone manufacturing will increase about 10 points over the next four years. However, the majority production will remain in-house, says research firm iSuppli.

The fast pace of R&D changes in cellphones will limit the ability of ODMs to convince OEMs to outsource their design work, the firm said.

ELKHART, IN -- CTS Corp. today announced a $32 million deal to build a electronic throttle control accelerator pedal module for a major Japanese automobile manufacturer.

Production is scheduled to start in July of 2007. The production program is expected to generate sales of over $7 million per year by 2008 and over $32 million in total new revenues for CTS over the life of the program.

CTS did not disclose the OEM's identity.

"This is a new customer to CTS and is also the fourth Japanese OEM to select CTS' electronic accelerator pedal module," said Christine Trowbridge, Pedal Business Manager for the Automotive Products Group.

The pedal will be used on a global small-car platform that will be manufactured in three Asian countries.

To date, CTS' pedal module has been selected by seven automotive OEMs for 42 different automotive platforms. It is produced in North America, Asia and Europe. Pedal module sales are expected to reach $18 million this year and ramp to over $60 million by 2008, based on current contracts..

Munich – Christopher Associates was presented with the Sales Achievement Award for implementing Pb-free solder pastes at leading customers in North America at the recent Koki Global Sales Meeting held during Productronica.

The award recognized activities including extended product evaluations, technical support in the implementation of Pb-free processes, customer education and training, and successful changeovers to Pb- free solder pastes in high production applications.

Koki (Tokyo, Japan) is a supplier of solder pastes, fluxes and other soldering products.

NASHVILLE — Kyzen Corp. has appointed CCR, based in Ontario, as its manufacturing representative for Canada. Kyzen develops and produces cleaning materials for electronics and manufacturing operations.

“We are pleased to have such an experienced partner as CCR, ” said Tom Forsythe, VP of global sales and marketing. “The staff have numerous years of experience supporting their customers’ cleaning processes.”