Latest News
TIJUANA, MEXICO -- Samsung's television manufacturing plant here is running on a full schedule again after closing for two days to rebalance inventories.
Samsung, the world's largest TV maker, said the site went to a four-day week temporarily after Circuit City, a large customer, declared bankruptcy.
Reports claim Samsung is considering similar moves at its South Korea factories during the week following Christmas.
GREENVILLE, WI – EMS provider Plexus Corp. bought a facility in Greenville, WI from Neenah Paper for $7.5 million, say published reports.
The 200,000 sq. ft. facility, formerly owned by Fox River Paper Co., had been vacant about six months.
Neenah Paper acquired the 15-year-old facility when it closed its $52 million deal for Fox Valley Corp. in March 2007.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Amid rapidly deteriorating conditions in the global economy and financial system, iSuppli Corp. has slashed its 2009 forecast for PC unit shipments nearly two-thirds.
SPOKANE, WA – ACE Production Technologies has invested in a selective soldering process development laboratory here.
The lab is equipped with the latest soldering equipment and process development tools, thermal sensors and monitors. It contains traveling mini-wave systems, solder fountains, spray and drop-jet fluxing systems, the LTS 200 lead tinning system and a nitrogen generator. It is also equipped with x-ray equipment and solderability and cleanliness test systems.
Process development services are provided at no cost to new customers, and ongoing development services are negotiated on an as-required basis.
The firm says it has sold more than 300 systems during the past few years.
TAIPEI – Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., the parent of Foxconn Electronics, has acquired a 16% stake in silicon foundry Advanced Microelectronic Products for $4.3 million.
AMP produces a small number – reportedly 30,000 wafers a month – of analog ICs and MOSFETs.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Amid rapidly deteriorating conditions in the global economy and electronics value chain, iSuppli Corp. now predicts worldwide semiconductor revenue will decline in 2008 compared to 2007.
Global semiconductor revenue now is expected to decrease to $266.6 billion for the full year, down 2% year-over-year. iSuppli's previous forecast in September called for 3.5% growth.
iSuppli’s forecast tracks with an announcement yesterday by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics group, made up of 66 semiconductor manufacturers, that lowered its global sales estimates to a 2.2% drop in 2009, to $256 billion.
“The first evidence the semiconductor industry was entering a recession arrived in the third quarter, before the financial crisis began sweeping the world in October,” said Dale Ford, senior vice president, market intelligence services for iSuppli. “iSuppli previously had predicted the third quarter would generate 7.9% growth in semiconductor revenue compared to the second quarter. However, actual growth in the third quarter came in at a very anemic 2.5% quarter-to-quarter rise. Year-over-year revenue in the third quarter was down by 2.9%.
“Weak-to-strongly-negative growth was reported in the third quarter by the complete range of semiconductor suppliers, large and small, across all markets,” Ford noted.
Memory suppliers are suffering the most severe declines, with the overall market expected to drop 8.8% compared to last year.
Numerous semiconductor suppliers are reducing their fourth-quarter outlooks on an increasingly frequent basis, says iSuppli. This would seem to indicate there is a strong possibility the fourth-quarter decline and the overall 2008 results could fall even further than iSuppli now forecasts.
“In discussions with semiconductor suppliers, equipment OEMs and contract manufacturers, a story of fear and great uncertainty has emerged,” Ford said. “As dramatic declines in consumer and industrial confidence began developing in late summer, order cancellations began to grow and in many cases, slowing orders degenerated into a complete stop in orders as players across the supply chain moved to extremely cautious positions in the face of increasingly negative economic news.
“The psychology of many industry players now has shifted to a survival mentality, with cost-control and cash-conservation considerations driving decisions, according to the firm. The extremely low level of consumer confidence points to a difficult fourth quarter for the industry. The remaining questions are how deep and how long this decline will extend in 2009 and possibly 2010.”
Global semiconductor revenue now is expected to decrease to $266.6 billion for the full year, down 2% year-over-year. iSuppli's previous forecast in September called for 3.5% growth.
iSuppli’s forecast tracks with an announcement yesterday by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics group, made up of 66 semiconductor manufacturers, that lowered its global sales estimates to a 2.2% drop in 2009, to $256 billion.
“The first evidence the semiconductor industry was entering a recession arrived in the third quarter, before the financial crisis began sweeping the world in October,” said Dale Ford, senior vice president, market intelligence services for iSuppli. “iSuppli previously had predicted the third quarter would generate 7.9% growth in semiconductor revenue compared to the second quarter. However, actual growth in the third quarter came in at a very anemic 2.5% quarter-to-quarter rise. Year-over-year revenue in the third quarter was down by 2.9%.
“Weak-to-strongly-negative growth was reported in the third quarter by the complete range of semiconductor suppliers, large and small, across all markets,” Ford noted.
Memory suppliers are suffering the most severe declines, with the overall market expected to drop 8.8% compared to last year.
Numerous semiconductor suppliers are reducing their fourth-quarter outlooks on an increasingly frequent basis, says iSuppli. This would seem to indicate there is a strong possibility the fourth-quarter decline and the overall 2008 results could fall even further than iSuppli now forecasts.
“In discussions with semiconductor suppliers, equipment OEMs and contract manufacturers, a story of fear and great uncertainty has emerged,” Ford said. “As dramatic declines in consumer and industrial confidence began developing in late summer, order cancellations began to grow and in many cases, slowing orders degenerated into a complete stop in orders as players across the supply chain moved to extremely cautious positions in the face of increasingly negative economic news.
“The psychology of many industry players now has shifted to a survival mentality, with cost-control and cash-conservation considerations driving decisions, according to the firm. The extremely low level of consumer confidence points to a difficult fourth quarter for the industry. The remaining questions are how deep and how long this decline will extend in 2009 and possibly 2010.”
YAVNE, ISRAEL -- Orbotech Ltd. today released a statement saying the company is "actively engaged in negotiations" with Fin.Pro S.p.A over the sale of its European and American
assembly AOI business.
Orbotech's chief executive said the company hopes a sale can be reached quickly "to minimize disruption to our existing client base, while providing a clear path for our customers to continue to receive best-in-class solutions and professional service in the future.”
Orbotech's chief executive said the company hopes a sale can be reached quickly "to minimize disruption to our existing client base, while providing a clear path for our customers to continue to receive best-in-class solutions and professional service in the future.”
BREDA, HOLLAND – On Nov. 15, Cobar Europe (Cobar BV) marked its 25th anniversary.
Cobar Europe is part of Cobar Group, which includes Cobar Solder Products Inc. in the US, plus joint ventures and licensed manufacturing partnerships globally.
The Cobar Group is part of Balver Zinn.
Cobar Europe is part of Cobar Group, which includes Cobar Solder Products Inc. in the US, plus joint ventures and licensed manufacturing partnerships globally.
The Cobar Group is part of Balver Zinn.
SIOUX FALLS, SD – Raven Industries Inc. reported third-quarter Electronic Systems division sales of $17.9 million, down 12% year-over-year. Operating income was down 49% to $1.8 million.
However, strong demand for flow controls division products lifted revenues and earnings to new highs for the third quarter and year-to-date ended Oct. 31. Third-quarter sales grew 22% year-over-year to $75.5 million. Net income was $8.4 million, up 13% compared to the same quarter last year.
For the nine months, sales of $220 million represented a 25% improvement over the same period in 2007, while net income expanded 20% to $26.1 million.
For the quarter, sales at the flow controls division expanded 61% from a year ago, to $25.9 million. Year-to-date revenues were up 75%, reaching $83.5 million.
Electronics Systems’ sales for the nine-month period were down 11%, to $45.9 million, and operating income was $3.7 million, down 56% year-over-year.
However, strong demand for flow controls division products lifted revenues and earnings to new highs for the third quarter and year-to-date ended Oct. 31. Third-quarter sales grew 22% year-over-year to $75.5 million. Net income was $8.4 million, up 13% compared to the same quarter last year.
For the nine months, sales of $220 million represented a 25% improvement over the same period in 2007, while net income expanded 20% to $26.1 million.
For the quarter, sales at the flow controls division expanded 61% from a year ago, to $25.9 million. Year-to-date revenues were up 75%, reaching $83.5 million.
Electronics Systems’ sales for the nine-month period were down 11%, to $45.9 million, and operating income was $3.7 million, down 56% year-over-year.
HIALEAH, FL – Simclar Inc. reported sharp revenue drops for its past two quarters, citing the telecommunications infrastructure sector, which accounts for some 60% of the company's business, and production problems in its Mexico facility.
SAN JOSE – Global sales of semiconductors will fall 2.2% in 2009, according to a revised forecast by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics group, citing the overall economy.
MINNEAPOLIS – DfR Solutions, provider of quality, reliability, and durability solutions, has hired Dr. Randy Schueller, an expert in component packaging and Pb-free.
Dr. Schueller will head the firm’s newly established Minneapolis office.
Prior to joining DfR, Dr. Schueller held management and leadership positions in component engineering, Pb-Free transition, and packaging at 3M, Extreme Devices and Dell.
Dr. Schueller will head the firm’s newly established Minneapolis office.
Prior to joining DfR, Dr. Schueller held management and leadership positions in component engineering, Pb-Free transition, and packaging at 3M, Extreme Devices and Dell.
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- CE3S to Discuss Strategic Sourcing and Distribution Solutions at the SMTA Long Island Expo & Tech Forum
- KIC to Exhibit at Four SMTA Expo & Tech Forums in August