Tempe, AZ - The manufacturing sector grew in February for the 21st consecutive month, although at a slower rate. New orders and production slowed, while backlogs remained steady, said the Institute for Supply Management (www.ism.ws).
"Price increases and shortages are becoming less of a problem," ISM chairman Norbert Ore said. "Exports and imports remain strong. The recent trend of inventory growth reversed direction during February; this reduces possible concerns about involuntary inventory build. Customers' inventories declined slightly, reinforcing the probability that inventories are not yet a concern."
The PMI measure of economic activity fell 1.1 points sequentially, to 55.3%. New orders fell 0.7 points to 55.8%. Production dropped 1.1 points, reversing January's gains. Employment was down 0.7 points, to 57.4%.
Electronic Components and Equipment, and Industrial and Commercial Equipment and Computers were among the sectors reporting growth.
The filing, which came in U.S. District Court, charges Infineon Technologies and Micron Technology with illegal use of Tessera-patented designs for chip packages that contain memory and other semiconductor devices.
A Tessera spokesman said the company would provide no further details at this time.
Tessera licenses its package designs to other semiconductor makers.
Gross profit rose 53% to $3.6 million, while net income rose to $1 million.
"We are clearly executing our strategic growth plan, exceeding
previous records for revenue, managing expenses and producing record
profitability," said Tom Lacey, IDW's chairman and chief executive.
IDW guided for second quarter revenue
of $22 million to $23 million.
Rae's paper, "Nanotechnology and Low Temperature Electronics Assembly," discussed concerns among board assemblers that some components are not - and will not - be ready for lead-free assembly.
He also revealed that assemblers of "exempt" boards -- military, aerospace, and automotive -- are finding that lead-containing components may no longer be available, which will force conversion of these complex boards.
Nanotechnology, Rae says, enables a number of tools which permit lower temperature assembly through enhanced solders, adhesives and novel attachment methods.
The award was selected by attendees of the Pan Pacific Symposium, which is sponsored by the SMTA.
UTICA, NY -- Dr. Ron Lasky, an expert on soldering, has launched a web log on electronics assembly.
The blog, sponsored by Indium Corp., is at indium.com/drlasky.
The blog offers comments on current events and ideas for process improvements. Readers can view the blog, follow links, and offer comments.
In a statement, Dr. Lasky said, "Blogging is a great method of staying in touch with our customers. It offers a quick way to share and record observations and ideas, and to solicit feedback. It lets our customers learn of, and weigh in on, important issues."
ALAMEDA, CA - Technology Forecasters' June conference on the EMS supply chian will be hosted by Microsoft at the software giant's main campus in Seattle.
The conference, known as Quarterly Forum, takes place June 9-10.
Microsoft recently joined the Quarterly Forum for Electronics Manufacturing Outsourcing and Supply Chain to strengthen relationships with outsourcing and supply chain partners in the electronics industry.
In a statement, a company spokesman said Microsoft is hosting the event "to help our suppliers and supply chain partners learn about and put in practice new business efficiencies to our mutual benefit."
TFI will release its annual benchmarking study on the EMS industry in June.
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