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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.
NAPLES, FL – The first annual Electronic Industry Supply Chain Conference, hosted by ERAI, will be held May 1-2 in Las Vegas.
The event focuses on procurement and quality concerns and regulatory issues affecting the global supply chain, and will include sessions ranging from counterfeit and high-risk part mitigation to IP enforcement, and understanding importing, exporting and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Sessions include the Latest Visual Inspection Programs and Techniques to Identify Counterfeit and High-Risk Parts; Testing Techniques and Standards for Various Components Used; Legal Liability of Counterfeits and High-Risk Parts in the Supply Chain; Identifying and Controlling Risks of Item(s) and Vendor Selection; Understanding Government and Industry Reporting Agencies; Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) Rules and Regulations that Affect Your Transactions; Import Regulations; Export Regulations; and International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
EISCC is open to franchised and independent distributors, original component manufacturers, OEMs, contract manufacturers, government agencies and non-profit associations.
To register, visit www.erai.com.
The event focuses on procurement and quality concerns and regulatory issues affecting the global supply chain, and will include sessions ranging from counterfeit and high-risk part mitigation to IP enforcement, and understanding importing, exporting and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Sessions include the Latest Visual Inspection Programs and Techniques to Identify Counterfeit and High-Risk Parts; Testing Techniques and Standards for Various Components Used; Legal Liability of Counterfeits and High-Risk Parts in the Supply Chain; Identifying and Controlling Risks of Item(s) and Vendor Selection; Understanding Government and Industry Reporting Agencies; Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) Rules and Regulations that Affect Your Transactions; Import Regulations; Export Regulations; and International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
EISCC is open to franchised and independent distributors, original component manufacturers, OEMs, contract manufacturers, government agencies and non-profit associations.
To register, visit www.erai.com.
WASHINGTON – The AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) will spend about $6.2 million to increase efforts aimed at state government affairs, including hiring staff and branching out to more states.
“Legislation affecting the high-tech industry isn’t limited to just one state,” said Christopher Hansen, president and CEO. “At any given time, one state can introduce legislation that can impact the entire industry, for better or for worse.”
AeA will focus on three initiatives: expanding the state government affairs programs to additional states; hiring staff to oversee the environmental programs in AeA at the state, national, and international levels; and initiating a Web-based resource that provides information on state bills affecting the high-tech industry.
AeA currently has 20 lobbyists across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. AeA will contract with lobbyists in additional states, and will also be adding environmental experts to its staff to advocate public policy and “green tech” globally.
The AeA Information Network is intended to offer AeA members a one-stop site for obtaining information regarding relevant state governmental activities.
“Legislation affecting the high-tech industry isn’t limited to just one state,” said Christopher Hansen, president and CEO. “At any given time, one state can introduce legislation that can impact the entire industry, for better or for worse.”
AeA will focus on three initiatives: expanding the state government affairs programs to additional states; hiring staff to oversee the environmental programs in AeA at the state, national, and international levels; and initiating a Web-based resource that provides information on state bills affecting the high-tech industry.
AeA currently has 20 lobbyists across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. AeA will contract with lobbyists in additional states, and will also be adding environmental experts to its staff to advocate public policy and “green tech” globally.
The AeA Information Network is intended to offer AeA members a one-stop site for obtaining information regarding relevant state governmental activities.
WASHINGTON, DC – The AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) named Christopher W. Hansen to succeed William T. Archey as president and chief executive.
Hansen was the group executive officer for the American Association for Retired Persons, at which he managed 53 offices and 675 staff located in Washington and throughout the country.
Archey will remain on board until February to aid the transition.
Hansen was the group executive officer for the American Association for Retired Persons, at which he managed 53 offices and 675 staff located in Washington and throughout the country.
Archey will remain on board until February to aid the transition.
BEIJING – China's recent labor laws might actually prove a boon to larger companies such as Foxconn and Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, analysts say.
SHENZHEN – Foxconn, Huawei, ZTE and more than 300 other companies have formed a local electronics manufacturing alliance, offering preferential policies for its members. It is unclear whether the preferences run afoul of WTO or other trade laws.
CHICAGO – Methode Electronics will slash 700 jobs from its U.S. automotive operations to help the components maker compete, the company said today. The moves are expected to be completed by year-end.
In a press release, the firm said only limited production and support staff would remain at its automotive operations facilities in Carthage and Golden, IL. Production of legacy connectors at its Rolling Meadows, IL, factory would be cut as well.
"As a result of fewer programs remaining for these plants and anticipated continued reduction in customer production volumes, Methode is taking this action to transfer the remaining programs from its U.S. facilities," the company said.
Methode makes a range of connector products, including thick film hybrids and flex circuits. It also owns Trace Laboratories.
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