Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

ARLINGTON, VA -- Electronic component orders continued to fall in February, but not as sharply as in January, according to the monthly index compiled by the Electronic Components Association. The 12-month average, comparing this year's results to last year's, continued a descent that began last summer.

Although the overall trend continued to be down there was a glimmer of hope from a couple of companies that reported orders above 2008 levels in the last week of the month.

"I believe the numbers show that the economic downturn is affecting different companies in different ways," said Bob Willis, ECA president, in a statement.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- A local paper is reporting that Flextronics has filed documents in Illinois indicating plans to close operations in Elk Grove Village this Spring, a move that would cost 113 workers their jobs.

The Daily Herald says the operations at 1150 Lively Blvd. and 1065 Chase Ave. will be closed by May. Flextronics did not comment on the report.

NANTOU, TAIWAN – Universal Scientific Industrial reported February consolidated net revenue of $95.8 million, up 5% sequentially and down 41% year-over-year.

On a non-consolidated basis, monthly net revenue amounted to $44.1 million, up 28% sequentially and down 28% year-over-year.

USI, which is the world’s 24^th largest EMS company according to the Circuits Assembly Top 50, reported electronics packaging and EMS sales of $23.4 million, or 24% of total revenue. The figure was up 24% sequentially and down 39% from the same period last year.

Computers and peripherals showed net revenue of $26.2 million (27% of total sales), up 11% sequentially and down 48% year-over-year.

Communications also accounted for 24% of revenue, at $22.9 million, up 2% sequentially and down 29% year-over-year.

TORONTO – EMS provider SMTC Corp. reported 2008 fourth-quarter revenue of $61.1 million, up 1.6% sequentially and down 8.5% year-over-year.

LONDON – Despite a lackluster fourth quarter, the Cookson Group reported its 2008 revenue climbed 23% to â‚¤2.203 billion ($3.04 billion).

The company, the parent of Alpha Metals and Enthone, reported trading profits up 11% to â‚¤216.3 million ($298.3 million), and pre-tax profits climbed 18% to â‚¤176.3 million ($243.1 million).

The electronics division saw a year-over-year revenue increase of 11% to â‚¤620 million ($854.9 million) at reported exchange rates.

For the year, assembly materials sales fell 10% to â‚¤382 million (US$526.8 million) on an increase in metal prices, especially tin and silver. Chemistry sales dropped 9% to â‚¤238 million (US$328.2 million) on the sharp decline in the electronics and automotive markets.

Nevertheless, the fourth-quarter slide has continued into the first quarter, and Cookson plans to reduce its overhead by $55.2 million.