MADISON, AL — STI Electronics has been recognized as one of the 5000 fastest growing privately held companies by Inc. Magazine.
The EMS company ranks 4,675 on the 2008 “Inc. 5000” list.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees and customers of STI. Without you, none of this would be possible,” said David Raby, president and CEO in a statement.
Inc. Magazine's annual list ranks the country’s fastest-growing private companies.
STI builds PCBs and provides training, consulting,
laboratory analysis, among other services.
ARLINGTON, VA — PCs are not children's products, a trio of industry trade groups told the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and new rules governing materials used in electronics should not be extended to PCs.
Commenting on the recently enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the Information Technology Industry Council, Consumer Electronics Association and IPC argued the new requirements limiting the use of phthalates and lead in products intended for children suffer from a "lack of clarity."
NEW YORK — The financial turmoil will dampen worldwide technology spending in 2009, according to research firm IDC. However, the lack of a tech "bubble" will hasten the rebound, the firm predicts.
The research firm revised its growth outlook for worldwide IT spending to 2.6%, down from an August forecast of 5.9%. The firm's US spending outlook was slashed to 0.9%, down from 4.2%, while Japan and Western Europe will grow around 1%.
NEWARK, NY – EMS provider IEC Electronics Corp. said fourth-quarter 2008 revenue was $16.1 million, up 40.4% year-over-year.
Net Income for the quarter, including a tax benefit, was $8.5 million, up 97% year-over-year.
Operating income was $1 million (6.3% of sales), up 86% compared to the same quarter of 2007.
For fiscal year 2008, IEC had revenue of $51.1 million, up 20% compared to full-year 2007. Net income before taxes was $1.6 million, up 69% year-over-year.
IEC added eight new customers this year, including three in the past quarter. Three of the new customers are in the aerospace sector, two in the military sector, two in the industrial sector, and one in medical.
In a press release, IEC said, “Despite the recessionary outlook for the economy, we expect strong growth in sales and earnings in fiscal 2009, as our customers, particularly in the military and aerospace sector, are cautiously optimistic and because we expect to realize enhanced operating margins from productivity gains and from our interconnect subsidiary.”
Cleveland, OH – Jergens Inc., a manufacturer of standard tooling components, vises and other workholding equipment, has acquired Bock Workholding Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
Bock, with headquarters in Ford City, PA, and sales partners in Europe, Asia and Australia, is a manufacturer and distributor of workholding solutions designed to improve the productivity of vertical and horizontal machining centers and flexible manufacturing cells.
BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY -- Kitron, a top 50 global electronics manufacturing services company, reported third-quarter revenue of NOK 483.7 million, up 24% over 2007. The net profit rose nearly 14 times to NOK 95,000.
THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Digi-Key Corp. has signed a deal to distribute Tyco Electronics’ passive components worldwide.
The new deal is aimed at growing markets in Europe and Asia.
Previously Digi-Key distributed Tyco’s products on a regional basis.
Tyco supplies passive electronic components used in the automotive, computer, consumer electronics, communication equipment, appliance, aerospace and defense, industrial machinery and instrumentation markets.
PHILADELPHIA – The American Competitiveness Institute will sponsor a pair of free workshops early next month. On Dec. 3, ACI will partner with Dage Precision Industries for a special half-day workshop on x-ray inspection criteria and common defect analysis, covering solder-related defects such as head-on-pillow, BGA and substrate opens.
On Dec. 11, ACI will team with Aqueous Technologies, Kyzen and Technical Devices
to present the Low Stand-Off Cleaning Symposium. The one-day program
includes training on practical approaches in cleaning the z-axis
through inline and batch processes.
Both workshops will be held at ACI in Philadelphia, and a free lunch will be provided.
CONKLIN, NY – The drop in demand for placement machines has hit Universal Instruments, which laid off 45 workers Tuesday, according to published reports.
The cuts include full-time employees in manufacturing and engineering support. Earlier in the month, UIC and sister company Unovis let go small numbers of staff in marketing. The firm now employs about 400 in the Binghamton, NY, area, say published reports.
The company says it has no plans for more layoffs in Binghamton but will reduce headcount elsewhere. No further details are currently available.