Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

TORONTO -- EMS firm Adeptron Technologies reported its fourth-quarter net loss shrank to $345,000 from $1.45 million for the period ended Dec. 31.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Electronics manufacturing services firm HEI cut its fourth-quarter net loss by more than $500,000, reporting a loss of $231,000 for the period ended Jan. 1.

NORTH YORK, ONTARIO -- The parent company of EMS firm Permatech closed a private placement that netted $135,000, primarily to insider J.T. Risty Ltd.

ANTHEM, AZ – Charlie Barnhart & Associates is preparing to launch a study comparing the advantages of Mexico to China for outsourced electronics manufacturing.

The study will examine the capabilities of the EMS industries in China and Mexico for their fit with the needs of midmarket OEMs. The data-based analysis will highlight benefits of electronics manufacturing in both countries, CBA said in a press release.

Issues to be considered in the report include manufacturing focus and fit, as well as the scope of EMS operations in China and Mexico. The research will examine labor and overhead rates, labor force and infrastructure.

The report will be available free to any interested OEM or EMS companies.

For more information, visit www.charliebarnhart.com.

HERNDON, VA – iNEMI has issued a call for participation in the Rare Earth Metals Assessment and Supply Chain Actions Project.

Participation in this project will provide information on the electronic industry's extensive dependence of REM, and give participants the opportunity to develop strategic programs and projects to reduce the impact of shortages and/or restricted supplies.

iNEMI conducted a survey to assess whether a shortage of rare earth metals would affect the electronics industry in the near term. The results indicate that any disruption in supplies of REM would have a critical negative impact on the industry.

The primary purposes of this project are to gather information related to the probability of a shortage of rare earth metals occurring in the near future; pinpoint when demand will exceed supply, and identify key driving factors.

Goals include driving actions that will increase supply; examining the feasibility of reclamation/recycling efforts; investigating development of alternative materials, and raising awareness on the severity and potential impact of REM supply issues with governmental agencies and industry trade groups.

Ultimately, the project aims to reestablish a viable REM industry in the US; develop REM mining, refining and processing skills, and rebuild and restructure the REM supply chain and infrastructure.

For more information, visit http://www.inemi.org/cms/projects/ese/Rare_Earth_Metals.html.

Sign-up for this project has been extended to Mar. 31.

MANILA -- Shockwaves from the March 11 earthquake in Japan might be felt in the Philippines as electronics manufacturers there export large percentage of their production to Japan.