ARLINGTON, VA -- Electronic component orders fell in December for the second consecutive month, according to the monthly index compiled by the Electronic Components Association (ECA).

The 12-month average, comparing 2008 results to those from 2007, continued a descent that began this summer.

“Most manufacturers have seen declining results in November and December,” says Bob Willis, ECA president, in a press release. “There may be a modest positive bump in the first quarter of 2009 as inventories are adjusted, but there is little or no significant growth anticipated until the late third or fourth quarter.”

SINGAPORE -- A local union of electronics workers says 2,000 more layoffs are expected this quarter. That almost equals the sum -- 2,300 -- of the union's layoffs from all of last year.

The United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries union says many of the displaced electronics workers will be retrained to find jobs in the medical and hotel industries.

RONKONKOMA, NY – CVD Equipment Corp. said 2008 order levels reached $29 million, more than double the order levels of 2007. The company’s divisions include Conceptronic, a maker of reflow ovens.

Approximately half the orders in 2008 were solar and energy market-related, with most incorporating CVD thin film solutions, says the firm.

Last year’s order levels for the CVD/FN and SDC divisions increased 146% and 58%, respectively, while the Conceptronic division decreased 3% year-over-year.

The company anticipates the growth trend of the CVD/FN and SDC divisions to continue. The Conceptronic division was impacted by the downturn in the electronics industry over the last two quarters. CVD expects this trend to continue at least through the first two quarters in 2009.

 

DORSET, UK – Placement equipment OEM Europlacer reported 22% growth globally during 2008 on the strength of its iineo machine platform.
 
For 2009, the privately held Europlacer says it will continue to offer products for unpredictable environments.