ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil Circuit today reported fiscal first quarter revenues of $3.38 billion, basically flat versus last year. The company's gross profits slipped to $223.7 million from $239.7 million in the year ago quarter.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Seagate Technology dumped its top two executives and will lay off 800 others in the US, the company said Monday.

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DORSET, UK – Speedprint Technology Ltd. said 2008 sales were up 28% on higher demand in Europe.

The privately held Speedprint is a division of Blakell Europlacer Group, which also makes placement machines.

LAS VEGAS -- US shipments of consumer electronics will be flat at $171 billion in 2009, according to the semiannual industry forecast released by the Consumer Electronics Association.

“The CE industry is resilient but not immune from the business cycle," CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro said. “Innovation will kick-start the economy."

Consumer electronics 2008 shipment revenues hit new high of $172 billion, up 5.4% over 2007. In 2009, CEA projects domestic shipment revenues will essentially remain flat at $171 billion, down 0.6% year-on-year.

The primary revenue driver for the industry continues to be digital TV displays, representing 15% of total shipment dollars. As the transition to digital television nears, unit shipments of DTVs will approach 35 million in 2009, an increase of nearly 6% over 2008. LCD displays remain the top choice among consumers, representing 77% of total DTV units.

With the format war now settled, Blu-ray players are expected to see major growth in 2009. With more content, new products and lower prices, Blu-Ray revenues are projected to surpass $1.2 billion. The gaming category also remains a bright spot in the CE industry and an increasing component of consumer spending.

The overall video game market should grow 11%, generating nearly $22 billion in revenue this year, a new high mark for the category. Software continues to drive the segment, making up $15 billion of the overall sales.

Smartphone revenues will continue to grow this year, increasing nearly 20% this year, to $13.6 billion. As carriers increase the speed of their networks and offer new services in addition to communication, smartphones will account for more than 60% of total handset revenues.

 
 
 

TAMPA, FL – Leader Tech has completed the second phase of its Global EMI Shielding Technology Center expansion.

The latest moves include the hiring of three domestic sales representatives, a regional sales engineer and installing a 45-press manufacturing line.
 
The enhanced manufacturing capacity, including a custom-designed press department, focuses on demand for the Slot-Lok line of board level shields, and will increase custom application volumes.
 
Similar capabilities are being developed for Leader Tech’s standard and custom precision beryllium copper shielding products. 
 
The firm plans to add substantial technical sales staff. Technical sales representatives have recently been named, including Harthun Associates for the Rocky Mountain region; Win-Cor Electronic Sales for the NJ/NY Metro region, and Admor Sales for Southern CA. 
 
Additionally, Eric Arroyo was hired as a regional sales engineer for the Midwest region.
 

GARBSEN, GERMANY – LPKF Laser & Electronics AG has appointed Dr. Ingo Bretthauer as chief executive beginning Feb. 1.
 
He replaces Bernd Hackmann, who left the company at the end of 2008.
 
Bretthauer has broad experience in sales and marketing of industrial equipment, having previously worked at AEG, as chief marketing officer for DB Reise & Touristik and as CEO and managing director of Joh. Heinr. Bornemann GmbH.
 

TAIPEI -- Compal, one of the world's largest producers of notebook computers, reported December sales of NT$32.1 million ($96.5 million), down 6.5% year-over-year.

Sales were up 7.1% from November, however.

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MERIDIAN, ID -- Computrol Inc. has purchased fellow EMS provider Wolf Electronix for an undisclosed amount. The combined company will have 350 workers across its three factories.

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WASHINGTON -- Industry business leaders are calling on Congress to renew the depreciation laws tied to the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which allowed companies to reduce the time it take to recoup outlays for capital equipment.

Per H.R. 5140, Congress shortened the time frame under which certain businesses assets could be depreciated. The rules expired Dec. 31. 

"A strong manufacturing sector is critical to a rapid economic recovery," wrote Matthew Holzmann, president of Christopher Associates, in one letter. "It would seem from the headlines that only certain industries would benefit from many of the proposals in Congress at present.  Reinstatement of accelerated depreciation, especially as written in H.R. 5150, will help all industries and is a real, tangible tool for keeping America strong."

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.