News
EL SEGUNDO – In the early 2000s, manufacturing capacity shifted abruptly from the high-cost regions of North America and Western Europe to the low-cost nation of China. The second half of the decade has brought a new series of evolutionary and strategic steps for EMS firms that focus on factors beyond labor cost when it comes to selecting a location for production.
NASHVILLE, NC – EMS provider Fawn Electronics has moved to its new manufacturing site in the Nashville Business Center in Nash County, near Raleigh. The 47,000 sq. ft. facility employs 90 to 100 workers.
Fawn’s original plant site in Elm City, NC was destroyed in a fire in December 2005.
“While we didn’t take this path by choice, we have tried to capitalize on the situation by rebuilding a facility that is larger and more flexible in terms of production capabilities than the facility we lost two years ago,” said president Art Rutledge. “We’ve actually completed our move-in nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. We are now looking forward to a normal holiday schedule this year and strong business momentum in 2008.”
Fawn’s original plant site in Elm City, NC was destroyed in a fire in December 2005.
“While we didn’t take this path by choice, we have tried to capitalize on the situation by rebuilding a facility that is larger and more flexible in terms of production capabilities than the facility we lost two years ago,” said president Art Rutledge. “We’ve actually completed our move-in nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. We are now looking forward to a normal holiday schedule this year and strong business momentum in 2008.”
After the fire, the operation was relocated to a temporary facility in Wilson, NC, while a permanent site was selected and the facility was constructed. The company has since invested more than $2 million in production equipment, including replacements and new capabilities. The new site has also passed an ISO audit.
SAN DIEGO – Iomega Corp. will buy ExcelStor Great Wall Technology and Shenzhen ExcelStor Technology in a stock swap deal valued at about $317 million.
ESPOO, FINLAND – Nokia said it received a favorable initial ruling from the International Trade Commission on a patent dispute with Qualcomm related to some of its GSM communications products.
Commission judge Paul J. Luckern ruled that Nokia did not infringe or violate the three Qualcomm patents involved in the dispute. The judge also found one of the patents invalid.
Qualcomm said it plans to request a review of the initial ruling.
Qualcomm's initial ITC complaint from June 9, 2006, involved six patents, but the company later voluntarily withdrew three. The San Diego-based company claimed the three patents left were key to GSM.
Similar disputes between the two companies are pending in Europe and China.
The commission’s final ruling is expected by April 14.
Commission judge Paul J. Luckern ruled that Nokia did not infringe or violate the three Qualcomm patents involved in the dispute. The judge also found one of the patents invalid.
Qualcomm said it plans to request a review of the initial ruling.
Qualcomm's initial ITC complaint from June 9, 2006, involved six patents, but the company later voluntarily withdrew three. The San Diego-based company claimed the three patents left were key to GSM.
Similar disputes between the two companies are pending in Europe and China.
The commission’s final ruling is expected by April 14.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – In light of strong growth in the third quarter, China’s semiconductor market appears to be closing in on previous growth forecasts of 15% in 2007, research firm iSuppli Corp. says.
MILWAUKEE, WI – EMS provider MEC named Hani Malek general manager and national sales and marketing manager.
Malek will have operational responsibility for MEC’s (The Milwaukee Electronics Company) Milwaukee-based EMS facility, and sales and marketing responsibility for its EMS facilities in Wisconsin, Oregon and Mexico.
“His EMS-related Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma expertise is an asset in our focus on operational efficiency, and his management style is very aligned with our internal culture of enthusiastic teamwork and respect for all employees,” said P. Michael Stoehr, president and CEO, in a press release.
Malek has 12 years’ experience in EMS operations management and 20 years’ experience in electronics manufacturing-related industries.
Previously, he was vice president and general manager of Preco Electronics in Peoria, IL.
Malek will have operational responsibility for MEC’s (The Milwaukee Electronics Company) Milwaukee-based EMS facility, and sales and marketing responsibility for its EMS facilities in Wisconsin, Oregon and Mexico.
“His EMS-related Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma expertise is an asset in our focus on operational efficiency, and his management style is very aligned with our internal culture of enthusiastic teamwork and respect for all employees,” said P. Michael Stoehr, president and CEO, in a press release.
Malek has 12 years’ experience in EMS operations management and 20 years’ experience in electronics manufacturing-related industries.
Previously, he was vice president and general manager of Preco Electronics in Peoria, IL.
MEC designs and manufactures custom circuit board assemblies for the medical, transportation, military, HVAC and other industries.
SURREY, UK - The weakening dollar has had a significant impact on TT Electronics’ profitability, the company says.
The EMS firm said its U.S. electronics component operations have suffered from reduced domestic demand because of overall market softness, while its EMS business has had a stronger second half and the outlook is good for next year.
TT Electronics says its sensor and systems business is seeing consistent demand from German automotive customers, although pricing pressure is impacting revenue. The manufacturer also expects revenue from climate control systems to decline substantially in 2008 as certain programs come to end-of-life.
The company expects similar results in 2008 as in 2007.
The EMS firm said its U.S. electronics component operations have suffered from reduced domestic demand because of overall market softness, while its EMS business has had a stronger second half and the outlook is good for next year.
TT Electronics says its sensor and systems business is seeing consistent demand from German automotive customers, although pricing pressure is impacting revenue. The manufacturer also expects revenue from climate control systems to decline substantially in 2008 as certain programs come to end-of-life.
The company expects similar results in 2008 as in 2007.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – EMS provider SigmaTron International reported revenues decreased to $42.8 million for the second quarter 2008, down 4.7% year-over-year. Net income decreased to $693,274, down 2% year-over-year.
For the first half of the year, revenues increased 1% to $82.7 million compared to the same period last year.
Net income was $1.52 million, up 36.4% year-over-year.
For the first half of the year, revenues increased 1% to $82.7 million compared to the same period last year.
Net income was $1.52 million, up 36.4% year-over-year.
“Our results were negatively impacted by a delay in launching several new programs with various customers that will be additive to our existing business with them, as well as slowing sales to some of our customers. At this point we believe several of the new programs will start during the third quarter, with continuing production dependent on our customers sell-through of the new product,” president and CEO Gary R. Fairhead said.
FRANKFURT – Germany's electronics industry is expected to post a 3% rise in sales to 184 billion euros ($270 billion) this year, boosted by strong exports and robust domestic investment, industry association ZVEI says.
However, restructuring in communications technology would mean sales would fall short of the 190 billion euros previously forecast.
However, restructuring in communications technology would mean sales would fall short of the 190 billion euros previously forecast.
Sales are expected to rise by more than 4% in 2008, the association said.
WESTCHESTER, IL – Shareholders of Andrew Corp. have approved the company’s merger agreement with CommScope Inc.
PHOENIX – Suntron Corp. announced its 90% stockholder, SUNN Acquisition Corp., has nearly completed all necessary measures to take the EMS provider private.
Suntron intends to delist its common stock from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Suntron has not arranged for listing its common stock on another national securities exchange or for quotation of its common stock in a quotation medium. The announcement was first made Oct. 3.
As previously disclosed, Suntron decided to go private through the short-form merger of SUNN with and into Suntron, pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corp. Law.
Suntron intends to delist its common stock from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Suntron has not arranged for listing its common stock on another national securities exchange or for quotation of its common stock in a quotation medium. The announcement was first made Oct. 3.
As previously disclosed, Suntron decided to go private through the short-form merger of SUNN with and into Suntron, pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corp. Law.
CARLSBAD, CA – A subsidiary of microelectronics bonding OEM Palomar Technologies will partner with electronics manufacturer Vision Manufacturing to offer bare board and EMS services.
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