News
EAST WINDSOR, CT – High-Tech Conversions announced double-digit growth for 2008.
The privately held manufacturer of wiping products and supplier of consumable items used in cleanrooms, assembly lines, laboratories and manufacturing has seen double-digit growth each year since its 1995 founding.
High-Tech Conversions will be moving to a larger modern manufacturing facility in the first quarter of 2009, as well as ramping production in China, Mexico and Germany.
The privately held manufacturer of wiping products and supplier of consumable items used in cleanrooms, assembly lines, laboratories and manufacturing has seen double-digit growth each year since its 1995 founding.
High-Tech Conversions will be moving to a larger modern manufacturing facility in the first quarter of 2009, as well as ramping production in China, Mexico and Germany.
TAIPEI -- OEM/ODM Micro-Star International will refocus its notebook computer line on the hot netbook market and may spin off its Wind brand of low-cost "nettop" PCs.
NANTOU, TAIWAN – Universal Scientific Industrial Co. reported consolidated net EMS revenues of $21.8 million for the month ended Dec. 31, down 18% sequentially and 55% from the same period last year.
The company, a top 25 global EMS company, reported total sales of $490.4 million for its EMS segment in 2008. EMS makes up 18% of its total sales in Taiwanese dollars.
YAVNE, ISRAEL – Valor Computerized Systems has acquired the assets of PCB Matrix Corp., a provider of EDA library generation tools for both land pattern and schematic symbols. No financial terms were disclosed.
PCB Matrix's software automates custom schematic symbol generation, and adds land pattern generation to Valor’s portfolio.
In a press release, Valor vice president of Design Market Patrick McGoff said, “Extending the value of the ISO-certified content upstream into the design arena is a logical progression for us. We believe the industry will benefit from a streamlined library creation process that has the potential to incorporate manufacturing knowledge into the EDA libraries. This will ultimately lead to more manufacturable designs the first time through.”
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Following a 3% sequential decline in the third quarter, global unit shipments of large-sized LCD panels decreased another 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to iSuppli Corp.
“Television, monitor and notebook PC makers are slashing orders for large-sized LCD panels due to weak holiday season sales, reflecting the global downturn in consumer and corporate demand,” said Sweta Dash, senior director of LCD research at iSuppli. “The recession in the global economy has impacted all areas of the electronics value chain, including large-sized LCDs, an area that will continue to struggle into the first quarter of 2009.”
iSuppli defines large-sized LCD panels as those having a diagonal dimension of 10" or more.
The large-sized LCD panel market has been struggling through severe oversupply conditions since the beginning of June, as a result of lower-than-expected panel demand and high levels of inventories building up throughout the LCD supply chain. To make matters worse, the market was pushed back into a state of further oversupply, rather than recovering at the end of September because of the financial crisis that impacted US and global demand in the second half of September, says iSuppli.
“Panel prices are continuing to fall, even though some prices are already at or even less than the cash cost level,” Dash said. “Monitor panel prices have declined 40% to 45% since June. Notebook prices also have decreased 35% to 40% during the same period. Meanwhile, television panel prices have dropped 25% to 30%.”
Some television panel prices have been declining since the first quarter of 2008, while monitor panel prices have been dropping since the end of the second quarter. The average 32" television panel price declined from $335 in January 2008 to the $200 to $210 range by November.
Faced with severe cuts in panel profitability in the third quarter and continued price reductions, LCD suppliers have cut their utilization rates in the fourth quarter. Some suppliers already are reducing utilization rates 40%, and are running their fabs at 60% capacity. Some fabs are even running below the 50% level, according to the research firm. Most panel suppliers are planning to maintain this level of utilization in the first quarter of 2009.
Despite the drop in utilization rates in the fourth quarter, the panel market is still suffering from oversupply. Most brand manufacturers and retailers are reporting slow holiday and corporate sales in the fourth quarter. They are reducing target inventory levels drastically and canceling orders. This has caused inventories to swell throughout the supply chain, says iSuppli.
iSuppli has reduced its large-sized LCD forecast for 2008 and 2009 as a result of the recent financial crisis and the recession in the US and worldwide. Although the change in the unit shipment forecast is still less than 5% for 2008, the revenue forecast for the year is reduced 8%. However, the revenue impact may be even greater in 2009, unless the market can stabilize by the third quarter.
“Oversupply and drastic price reductions are nothing new to the large-sized LCD panel market, as the industry generally uses the strategy of capacity expansion, price reduction and demand creation to boost sales and increase the LCD's dominance in the display market,” Dash observed. “However, this time the industry ended up being in double trouble, when panel suppliers faced the worldwide economic and financial crisis right after confronting their own industry oversupply issues in the third quarter of 2008.
“There has been some concern about cash issues among suppliers, especially smaller component makers, which may significantly disrupt the LCD supply chain. It may take the LCD industry a long time to recover, even when market demand returns.
“Television, monitor and notebook PC makers are slashing orders for large-sized LCD panels due to weak holiday season sales, reflecting the global downturn in consumer and corporate demand,” said Sweta Dash, senior director of LCD research at iSuppli. “The recession in the global economy has impacted all areas of the electronics value chain, including large-sized LCDs, an area that will continue to struggle into the first quarter of 2009.”
iSuppli defines large-sized LCD panels as those having a diagonal dimension of 10" or more.
The large-sized LCD panel market has been struggling through severe oversupply conditions since the beginning of June, as a result of lower-than-expected panel demand and high levels of inventories building up throughout the LCD supply chain. To make matters worse, the market was pushed back into a state of further oversupply, rather than recovering at the end of September because of the financial crisis that impacted US and global demand in the second half of September, says iSuppli.
“Panel prices are continuing to fall, even though some prices are already at or even less than the cash cost level,” Dash said. “Monitor panel prices have declined 40% to 45% since June. Notebook prices also have decreased 35% to 40% during the same period. Meanwhile, television panel prices have dropped 25% to 30%.”
Some television panel prices have been declining since the first quarter of 2008, while monitor panel prices have been dropping since the end of the second quarter. The average 32" television panel price declined from $335 in January 2008 to the $200 to $210 range by November.
Faced with severe cuts in panel profitability in the third quarter and continued price reductions, LCD suppliers have cut their utilization rates in the fourth quarter. Some suppliers already are reducing utilization rates 40%, and are running their fabs at 60% capacity. Some fabs are even running below the 50% level, according to the research firm. Most panel suppliers are planning to maintain this level of utilization in the first quarter of 2009.
Despite the drop in utilization rates in the fourth quarter, the panel market is still suffering from oversupply. Most brand manufacturers and retailers are reporting slow holiday and corporate sales in the fourth quarter. They are reducing target inventory levels drastically and canceling orders. This has caused inventories to swell throughout the supply chain, says iSuppli.
iSuppli has reduced its large-sized LCD forecast for 2008 and 2009 as a result of the recent financial crisis and the recession in the US and worldwide. Although the change in the unit shipment forecast is still less than 5% for 2008, the revenue forecast for the year is reduced 8%. However, the revenue impact may be even greater in 2009, unless the market can stabilize by the third quarter.
“Oversupply and drastic price reductions are nothing new to the large-sized LCD panel market, as the industry generally uses the strategy of capacity expansion, price reduction and demand creation to boost sales and increase the LCD's dominance in the display market,” Dash observed. “However, this time the industry ended up being in double trouble, when panel suppliers faced the worldwide economic and financial crisis right after confronting their own industry oversupply issues in the third quarter of 2008.
“There has been some concern about cash issues among suppliers, especially smaller component makers, which may significantly disrupt the LCD supply chain. It may take the LCD industry a long time to recover, even when market demand returns.
“Since a strong demand recovery is difficult to mount in the current economic environment, adjustments must come from the supply side in order to bring the industry back to stabilization. Panel suppliers must cut production and reduce their expansion plans now more than ever to achieve a market recovery.”
BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC is seeking nominations to recognize volunteers who contribute to IPC standards development and other association activities. Nominees are sought for contributions ranging from one-time activities to career-long service and accomplishments.
The IPC Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award recognizes a corporation (or division) in the PCB industry (supplier, board manufacturer or OEM) that has taken a leadership role and made contributions to the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.
The IPC Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award recognizes a corporation (or division) in the electronics assembly industry (supplier, EMS company or OEM) that has actively contributed to enhancing the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.
The IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award honors an individual for contributions with broad significance to the electronic interconnection industry and distinguished service to IPC. The nominee must support the advancement of the industry.
The Presidents Award honors individuals from IPC member companies who have demonstrated ongoing leadership in IPC and have made contributions to the association and the electronic interconnection industry.
Committee Leadership Awards are given to committee chairs upon completion of a standard or specific program. Individuals may receive this award more than once. This award can also be presented to an outgoing chairman who has made contributions over a period of time.
Distinguished Committee Service (DCS) Awards are presented to committee members who have contributed to a specific standard or other IPC program through consistent participation or regular contributions, ballot submission, and significant impact on a document or project.
Individuals or companies that have given exceptional service to an IPC program or the industry are honored with the Special Recognition Award. The activity can be short-term or a one-time event.
Nominations must include the candidate’s name, contact information and a statement describing the contribution(s), how the nominee meets the criteria and why they deserve recognition. Self-nominations are accepted.
Awards will be presented at Apex the week of March 30 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ipc.org/awards.
Send nominations to Awards@ipc.org by Feb. 4.
The IPC Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award recognizes a corporation (or division) in the PCB industry (supplier, board manufacturer or OEM) that has taken a leadership role and made contributions to the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.
The IPC Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award recognizes a corporation (or division) in the electronics assembly industry (supplier, EMS company or OEM) that has actively contributed to enhancing the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.
The IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award honors an individual for contributions with broad significance to the electronic interconnection industry and distinguished service to IPC. The nominee must support the advancement of the industry.
The Presidents Award honors individuals from IPC member companies who have demonstrated ongoing leadership in IPC and have made contributions to the association and the electronic interconnection industry.
Committee Leadership Awards are given to committee chairs upon completion of a standard or specific program. Individuals may receive this award more than once. This award can also be presented to an outgoing chairman who has made contributions over a period of time.
Distinguished Committee Service (DCS) Awards are presented to committee members who have contributed to a specific standard or other IPC program through consistent participation or regular contributions, ballot submission, and significant impact on a document or project.
Individuals or companies that have given exceptional service to an IPC program or the industry are honored with the Special Recognition Award. The activity can be short-term or a one-time event.
Nominations must include the candidate’s name, contact information and a statement describing the contribution(s), how the nominee meets the criteria and why they deserve recognition. Self-nominations are accepted.
Awards will be presented at Apex the week of March 30 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ipc.org/awards.
Send nominations to Awards@ipc.org by Feb. 4.
