Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- The rapid rise in global energy prices, combined with a growing excess of manufacturing capacity, has prompted iSuppli to trim its forecast for 2005 semiconductor sales and to modify its longer-term outlook.

iSuppli cut its forecast for global semiconductor sales growth to 2.4% in 2005, reaching $232.7 billion.

POMONA, CA – Everett Charles Technologies has acquired Harbor Electronics Inc., a maker of circuit boards for semiconductor test applications. Financial terms were not disclosed.

MILPITAS, CA – Solectron Corp., a provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, has reported the resignation of executive vice president and CFO.

Kiran Patel is leaving Solectron to become CFO for Intuit Inc. Warren Ligan, senior vice president and corporate controller at Solectron, will fill Patel's role on an interim basis while an internal and external candidate search is conducted.

"Kiran has been a driving force in the transformation of Solectron and we thank him for his many contributions," commented Mike Cannon, president and CEO of Solectron. "Moving forward with Warren as interim CFO, we are assigning a proven performer from our strong internal team of financial professionals to this key position."

BERG, SWITZERLAND – Alphasem AG has sold its 250th Swissline die attach machine in North America, the company said today.

The second-generation machine for die attach and sort processes was introduced in 2001.

Alphasem is a supplier of packaging equipment to Intel, Infineon, Micron, IBM, Amkor and Texas Instruments.

HERNDON, VA — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative consortium next month will sponsor a "state of the industry" forum on RFID technology.

The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4, at Sun Microsystems in Newark, CA.

STUTENSEE-BLANKENLOCH, GERMANY – Test solutions provider Digitaltest has added a local distributor on South America. Macon SRL will provide sales and service representation for Digitaltest's range of in-circuit, flying probe and functional test equipment.

In a statement, Digitaltest's Hans Baka said, "Many of our global customers now require support on their doorsteps – a trend that has seen Digitaltest expand its presence in several key geographies over the last few years.”