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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – In a remarkable turnaround, July IC sales and unit volume numbers indicate the IC industry is in the midst of a solid rebound, says IC Insights.

Data show the upturn is being experienced across many product lines, including DRAM, NAND flash memory, analog and microprocessors, as well as the overall IC industry.

Growth has been explosive in the seven-month period from January to July; this is true for both dollar and unit volume. Granted, in January, the semiconductor market was at (or nearly at) its lowest point of the current downturn, but there is no doubt from examining July data that markets have rebounded – in several cases, surpassing levels from the same time last year, according to the firm.

IC Insights believes the market for ICs is set up for strong growth continuing into 2010 and 2011. Several global and US companies have hinted about stronger bookings and/or production ramps through the balance of this year and 2010.

GDP outlooks have moved well into positive territory and, in the US, about 60% of the $750 billion economic stimulus package is expected to be spent in 2010 and 20% in 2011.

What has captured IC Insights' attention above all else is that many wafer fabs and production lines have closed since the fourth quarter of 2008, resulting in reduced industry-wide capacity as the market returns to health. Recently, IC Insights showed IC industry capacity utilization jumped to 78% in the second quarter from 57% in the first, and forecasts an increase to around 90% by the end of the year.

With significant IC unit demand on the horizon and little capital spending being allocated for new and upgraded facilities, industry-wide capacity utilization stands a good chance of being maxed out in the coming months, resulting in longer lead times, spot shortages, and escalating average selling prices throughout the industry, concludes IC Insights.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – An IPC survey due today on IPC-J-STD-709 revolves around the debate over whether the proposed standard's requirements will be based on a verifiable series of tests.

SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $599 million in orders in August and the book-to-bill remained above the key 1.0 level indicating future growth.

HERNDON, VA – The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative is planning a two-day workshop to identify gaps and challenges related to organic substrate technology. The event will take place Nov. 17 and 18 in Nagoya, Japan.

The meeting will bring together OEMs, packaging firms and substrate providers to discuss technology requirements that must be addressed to facilitate continued miniaturization of electronics packaging.

The goal is to prevent organic substrate technology from becoming a limiting factor in the continued growth of electronics, iNEMI says.

Speakers will discuss packaging-related topics, such as next-generation product sector needs, assembly challenges, and emerging packaging formats. Working teams then will address key topics identified, and formulate potential industry action plans.

The agenda includes confirmed speakers from Amkor, ASE, Cisco, EIT, Ibiden, iNEMI, Intel, Kyocera, Nan Ya, Qualcomm, STATS ChipPAC, Texas Instruments and UMTC.

For more information, visit http://www.inemi.org/cms/calendar/Packaging_Substrates_Nov09.html.

BEAVERTON, OR – Benchmark Electronics announced that it will close its plant here at the end of the year, affecting all 183 employees.

LONDON – An upcoming Frost & Sullivan briefing will focus on the Ukrainian electronics manufacturing market, the research firm announced.

MANCHESTER, NH – EMS provider EPE Corp. has been selected by Business NH Magazine as one of its 100 Top Private Companies, based on average sales growth.

EPE’s three-year revenue growth rate was 21.44%, making it the 14th fastest growing private company in New Hampshire.

According to the list, EPE is also the fastest growing privately held contract assembly in the state.

Business NH Magazine surveys thousands of companies annually to compile the list.

NEW TRIPOLI, PA – Chip purchases are sending the market toward a fast recovery in 2010, says The Information Network, according to published reports.

Leading firms have raised capex plans for this year, which can be a significant leading indicator of improvement, says the research firm.

Another sign for improving conditions is how much chipmakers are willing to spend on advanced equipment to create new products.

“We nevertheless are cautious about 2010, because all we see going forward are technology purchases rather than capacity purchases," said Robert Castellano, president of The Information Network. "Utilization is increasing, but with 31 fab closures in 2009, this is analogous to increased productivity due to layoffs.”

BANNOCKBURN, IL – An IPC task group is organizing a standard covering intellectual property protection.

The trade group seeks PWB manufacturers, EMS providers and OEMs to develop the document. The first meeting takes place Oct. 23 in Scottsdale, AZ.

Similarly, the US Congress has directed the Department of Defense to develop a trusted source program for PCB manufacturers supplying the DoD, the association says.

The new standard is expected to educate members and elevate best practices in IP protection. The trade group hopes to develop a common standard to which companies can certify will save the industry money.

BALLSTON LAKE, NY – Datacom OEM Sixnet will acquire JBM Electronics Co., a provider of networking connectivity gear.

No financial terms were disclosed.

Sixnet markets a line of products under the BlueTree Wireless brand. JBM's products will be aligned to create a range of industrial and commercial wireless networking solutions.

LOHJA, FINLAND -- Electronics production equipment supplier Cencorp will combine certain operations and close its current headquarters here before June 1, 2010, the company said today.