Latest News
MINNEAPOLIS – HEI Inc. announced first-quarter sales fell nearly 17% year-over-year to $10 million.
NEWARK, NY – EMS provider IEC Electronics announced first-quarter revenues rose 21% year-over-year to $11.2 million. Net profit was $420,000, compared to a net loss of $576,000 last year.
LOS ALTOS, CA – Ongoing fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and the predicted retrenchment of consumer spending has put a dent in the prospects for light vehicle demand, Henderson Ventures reports, with unit output forecast to grow 2.5% this year, after a 5.4% burst in 2007, the research firm says.
The softening demand for vehicles will slow automotive electronics growth from 8.1% in 2007 to 5.6% in 2008. The pace will then accelerate to 7.9% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2010, when global automotive electronics production is forecast to reach $140 billion.
This year’s unit slowdown will be felt all over. For example, Chinese output growth will slow from 25.8% in 2007 to 15.5% this year.
Potential car buyers increasingly want onboard access to all entertainment electronics and gadgets they have at home, as evidenced by the profusion of video displays, MP3 player ports and power outlets. In short, increasing electronics content will help offset meager vehicle growth this year, Henderson reports.
The softening demand for vehicles will slow automotive electronics growth from 8.1% in 2007 to 5.6% in 2008. The pace will then accelerate to 7.9% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2010, when global automotive electronics production is forecast to reach $140 billion.
This year’s unit slowdown will be felt all over. For example, Chinese output growth will slow from 25.8% in 2007 to 15.5% this year.
Potential car buyers increasingly want onboard access to all entertainment electronics and gadgets they have at home, as evidenced by the profusion of video displays, MP3 player ports and power outlets. In short, increasing electronics content will help offset meager vehicle growth this year, Henderson reports.
OREM, UT – EMS provider Wolf Electronix is consolidating operations into its plant here, with the move expected to be complete by Feb. 5.
The company reports investments of nearly $2 million in equipment and facility upgrades have increased capacity more than 30+%.
The company will shutter its five-year-old Loveland, CO, facility, and has offered all full-time employees there positions in Utah.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American circuit board shipments fell 5.4% year-over-year in December, while orders rose 5.5%. For the year, shipments were down 8.7%, while bookings fell 6.3%, IPC said.
For the month, rigid shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were up 6.8% compared to 2006. For the year, shipments were down 8.9% and bookings were down 7%. Sequentially, shipments increased 8% and bookings increased 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.01.
Flex circuit shipments were up 1% in December, while bookings were down 9.7% year-over-year. For the year, flex circuit shipments were down 5.7% and bookings were up 4%. Sequentially, flex shipments were up 5.6% and bookings rose 2.2%. The book-to-bill was 1.0.
Compared to November, all shipments were up 7.8% and bookings were up 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.01.
For the month, rigid shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were up 6.8% compared to 2006. For the year, shipments were down 8.9% and bookings were down 7%. Sequentially, shipments increased 8% and bookings increased 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.01.
Flex circuit shipments were up 1% in December, while bookings were down 9.7% year-over-year. For the year, flex circuit shipments were down 5.7% and bookings were up 4%. Sequentially, flex shipments were up 5.6% and bookings rose 2.2%. The book-to-bill was 1.0.
Compared to November, all shipments were up 7.8% and bookings were up 3.1%. The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.01.
COSTA MESA, CA – A leading Koh Young Technology distributor will conduct advanced training on the OEM’s solder paste inspection systems next month.
Christopher Associates will hold the training seminar March 10-12, in Costa Mesa.
In addition to training on this SPI system, the seminar will emphasize recent software improvements including SPC software, as well as new hardware introductions and technology improvements.
For more information, contact angela.maniaci@christopherweb.com.
Christopher Associates will hold the training seminar March 10-12, in Costa Mesa.
In addition to training on this SPI system, the seminar will emphasize recent software improvements including SPC software, as well as new hardware introductions and technology improvements.
For more information, contact angela.maniaci@christopherweb.com.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – Hourly wages in the U.S. and Canadian PCB industries are on the rise, having increased 3.3% year-over-year in 2006, while salary budgets rose an estimated 3% from 2006 to 2007.
That’s according to IPC’s biennial look at wages and salaries for EMS companies. The trade group published its findings this week.
According to the study, on average, U.S. and Canadian EMS organizational salary budgets for salaried positions increased 3.1% in 2007. Salary budgets for management positions increased 3.9%, while hourly positions increased 3.3%. Benefit costs in 2006 were, on average, 16.8% of total wages, down from 21.6% in 2004.
The EMS industry salary and wage report presents aggregate data on 30 positions and their related job descriptions.
NETANYA, ISRAEL –A host of international universities have teamed on a $3-million effort to develop DNA-based self-organizing molecular electronics.
With support from the EU, Tel-Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Regensburg University, Madrid University and the Lausanne School of Technology share a goal to create a prototype electronic component based on a single DNA molecule, and achieve DNA-based nanodevices based on the group’s previous realization of nanowires.
The project's cost is estimated at about $3 million and is scheduled to end in April 2009.
"We expect to realize a device-wire with a controlled non-linear response, either bi-stability or negative differential resistance, at the end of the project," the researchers said, according to published reports.
The DNA-based nanoelectronic devices would be about 1000 times smaller than existing electronics, the report said.
With support from the EU, Tel-Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Regensburg University, Madrid University and the Lausanne School of Technology share a goal to create a prototype electronic component based on a single DNA molecule, and achieve DNA-based nanodevices based on the group’s previous realization of nanowires.
The project's cost is estimated at about $3 million and is scheduled to end in April 2009.
"We expect to realize a device-wire with a controlled non-linear response, either bi-stability or negative differential resistance, at the end of the project," the researchers said, according to published reports.
The DNA-based nanoelectronic devices would be about 1000 times smaller than existing electronics, the report said.
ESPOO, FINLAND – Nokia is in negotiations to sell its automotive business to the former head of Nokia's enhancements unit and automotive business, Razvan Olosu, and Equity Partners GmbH.
If finalized, personnel will transfer from the current automotive business to the new company.
The parties anticipate the deal to close during the first half of the year, pending negotiations and approval. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.
The announcement comes as Nokia faces sharp criticism from labor groups in Germany over its plans to close the plant.
If finalized, personnel will transfer from the current automotive business to the new company.
The parties anticipate the deal to close during the first half of the year, pending negotiations and approval. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.
The announcement comes as Nokia faces sharp criticism from labor groups in Germany over its plans to close the plant.
ATLANTA – UP Media Group, parent company of Circuits Assembly and Printed Circuit Design & Fab, announced today that several leading industry suppliers have signed on to exhibit at Virtual PCB, the industry's first virtual trade show and conference for the PCB design, fabrication and assembly markets, on Feb. 12-13.
PRAGUE – Unable to resolve certain internal arguments between staff and agency workers, Foxconn has set up a parliament for its 7,000 Czech-based employees, say
published reports.
Foxconn is the largest employer in the area, employing both Czech staff and foreign workers, a Czech paper says.
The parliament has roughly 25 members and meets each month, according to Jaroslav Mariel, Foxconn’s union head.
Foxconn managers will attend parliament meetings, one of which has occurred so far.
published reports.
Foxconn is the largest employer in the area, employing both Czech staff and foreign workers, a Czech paper says.
The parliament has roughly 25 members and meets each month, according to Jaroslav Mariel, Foxconn’s union head.
Foxconn managers will attend parliament meetings, one of which has occurred so far.
SACRAMENTO – One of the larger institutional shareholders of Sanmina-SCI is opposing the reelection of seven of its directors.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System claims Sanmina-SCI has not resolved issues with regard to its stock performance and the board's corporate governance practices. CalPERS owns 2.1 million of Sanmina’s shares.
The largest holder of Sanmina-SCI stock is AXA, with some 61 million shares as of Sept. 30.
"Sanmina has been unresponsive to our placing the company on our '2007 Focus List' for underperformance," said Russell Read, CalPERS chief investment officer. "Its stock price continues to decline and trail its industry peers. The board's failed acquisition strategy has destroyed a substantial amount of shareowner value."
Votes will be refused for Neil Bonke, Alain Couder, Mario Rosati, Gene Sapp, Wayne Shortridge, Jure Sola and Jacqueline Ward at the company's annual meeting Monday.
Sola is chairman and CEO of Sanmina-SCI. Sapp is the former head of SCI, whose acquisition Sanmina is still grappling with.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System claims Sanmina-SCI has not resolved issues with regard to its stock performance and the board's corporate governance practices. CalPERS owns 2.1 million of Sanmina’s shares.
The largest holder of Sanmina-SCI stock is AXA, with some 61 million shares as of Sept. 30.
"Sanmina has been unresponsive to our placing the company on our '2007 Focus List' for underperformance," said Russell Read, CalPERS chief investment officer. "Its stock price continues to decline and trail its industry peers. The board's failed acquisition strategy has destroyed a substantial amount of shareowner value."
Votes will be refused for Neil Bonke, Alain Couder, Mario Rosati, Gene Sapp, Wayne Shortridge, Jure Sola and Jacqueline Ward at the company's annual meeting Monday.
Sola is chairman and CEO of Sanmina-SCI. Sapp is the former head of SCI, whose acquisition Sanmina is still grappling with.
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