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News

TEMPE, AZ – Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September for the eighth consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 71st consecutive month, reports ISM.

Manufacturing grew at a slower rate in September, as the PMI registered 52%, down 0.9 points from August, says ISM. New orders registered 53.4%, down 1.9 points sequentially. Production dipped to 54.6%, 1.5 points lower. Manufacturers’ inventories registered 41.6%, a decrease of 3.8 points. Customers’ inventories were 50%, up 1 point. Backlogs reached 51%, 0.5 points higher sequentially, the firm reports.

ISM spokesman Norbert J. Ore said, “Manufacturing growth continued in September, while some sectors of the economy are apparently struggling. The trend is toward slower growth in manufacturing, as the rate of growth in both new orders and production slowed. The sector is apparently in excellent shape with regard to inventories, as the inventories index fell to 41.6%, indicating significant inventory liquidation. Overall, September looks like a good month for manufacturing.”

SCHAUMBURG, IL – From one came three. But more was less, and after the first few bars of the Chicago trade show musical chairs, many folks were singing the blues.

SANTA CLARA, CA – Valor will present its 5DX setup software solution at Agilent’s California Board Test User Group meeting Oct. 11.

The event will take place at Agilent’s facility in Santa Clara, CA.

Agilent’s 5DX platform is an x-ray inspection solution for printed circuit assemblies.

ORLANDO – Powell-Mucha Consulting Inc. will present a tutorial on Identifying EMS Market Trends: Learn to Predict the Future and Help Your Company Lead the Pack at SMTAI in Orlando next Monday.

The tutorial will look at ways to create a forward-looking planning environment. “This tutorial focuses on identifying cyclical industry patterns and developing a planning process that extrapolates likely results of current trends,” said company president and presenter Susan Mucha.

The tutorial covers typical cycles that repeat in the EMS industry; key events likely to trigger changes in demand; useful strategic planning tools, and creating business models that can readily adapt to changing markets.

For more information, visit http://www.smta.org/smtai/tutorials.cfm.

In addition, Powell-Mucha Consulting and Circuits Assembly have organized a contract manufacturing symposium scheduled for Oct. 9. The symposium features six speakers in two sessions titled Cutting Costs in the EMS Supply Chain and Optimizing EMS Service Delivery.

For more information, visit http://www.smta.org/smtai/symposium.cfm.

WASHINGTON – Responding to the growing shortage of engineers, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) in September introduced the Strategic Technology/Engineering Program (STEP) Act of 2007 – “GI Bill style” legislation that provides incentives for young people entering the engineering profession.

The bill, H.R. 3634, creates new scholarships and loan forgiveness for engineering students working toward their P.E. license.

“Our nation needs to make much more efficient use of the available resources by recruiting students from our best and brightest high school graduates and encourage them to go on to college to become our next generation of engineers,” Cleaver said in a statement. “This legislation will help support engineering students as they complete an education for an industry that will always be in demand.”

The number of U.S. engineering graduates has steadily declined in the last two decades, according to the National Science Foundation. In addition, over 25% of the science and engineering workforce is older than 50 and expected to retire over the next 15 years.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – Because of explosive growth in consumer demand for LCD digital TVs, semiconductors used in such TV sets are expected to boom, with global revenue set to nearly quadruple from 2006 to 2011, iSuppli Corp. predicts.

The worldwide market for semiconductors used in LCD TVs is expected to rise to $7.4 billion in 2011, up about 73% from 2006. By 2011, LCD TV chips will account for 84.2% of total DTV chip revenue, up from 54.3% in 2006, according to the firm.

Chip shipments for LCD TVs will rise to 178 million units in 2011, up about 46% from 2006. LCD TV chips will account for 77.4% of the DTV semiconductor shipments in 2011, up from 55.5% in 2006, says iSuppli.

These numbers account for all the chips on DTVs’ and LCD TVs’ A/V boards, which include display processors, input/output chips, audio, memory, and other devices.

In contrast, the overall global DTV chip market, which is comprised of LCD TVs, plasma sets, CRTs and rear-projection televisions, is expected to rise at a slower rate, increasing to 230 million units by 2011, up about 66% from 2006, reports iSuppli.

This forecast indicates that the LCD TV segment has become the driving force behind the global DTV semiconductor business, propelling revenue growth and generating the most attractive opportunities for television chip suppliers, the company says.

The rise of DTV and LCD TV is being driven by multiple factors, including the migration to digital sources for television content and mandated digital broadcasts in most of the world’s countries during the next 10 years. Other factors include the emergence of new displays with attractive form factors, like LCDs and plasma sets, and – most important – because of the rapidly falling prices of large-sized flat-panel TVs. In 2008, flat-panel TVs will account for more than 50% of the total global television market, says iSuppli.

Semiconductor revenue for A/V boards used in DTV sets will grow to $8.8 billion in 2011, rising at a CAGR of 19.4% from 2006. This growth in revenue will occur despite the continuous drops in average selling prices for semiconductors used in DTVs. However, the price decline will be tempered by the continuing trend to integrate more functions into DTV display processors, the firm concludes.

SINGAPORE – Flextronics International has completed its acquisition of Solectron Corp., forming the world's second largest EMS company, with some $30 billion in annual revenues. Flextronics expects to pay approximately $1.07 billion in cash and issue approximately 221.8 million Flextronics ordinary shares pursuant to the merger.

EDINA, MN – Papers for SMTAI 2008 are being solicited in the following categories: emerging technologies, components, assembly, PCB technology and business.

Abstracts are due Jan. 7 and will be accepted as of Mar. 3. Final papers are due June 1.

Papers should describe significant results from experiments, emphasize new techniques, and contain technical, economic or appropriate test data. Material should be original, unpublished and noncommercial in nature.

Submit an abstract using the online form: http://www.smta.org/smtai/call_for_papers.cfm. Be sure to obtain approval to both write and present prior to submitting an abstract.

For more information, visit http://www.smta.org/smtai/CallforPapers.pdf.

SMTA International will return to Orlando for the second consecutive year. The conference and show will move to Disney’s Coronado Springs Hotel, Orlando, FL, from Aug. 17-21, 2008.

PALO ALTO, CA -- Agilent Technologies will host users of its AOI, automated x-ray inspection and ICT systems in a series of meetings to discuss board test challenges, case studies, best practices, implementation successes, industry trends and considerations for developing an effective board test strategy.

The sessions take place Oct. 10, in Orange County, CA, and Oct. 11 in Santa Clara, CA.

The company invites automated test professionals interested in learning, sharing, and networking with Agilent experts and other board test users. Register at www.agilent.com/find/atug.

BOULDER, CO – PCB supplier Circuit Images has named industry sales veteran Dan Spencer as its vice president of sales and marketing.

In his new position, Spencer will be responsible for all sales efforts throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Spencer has worked for Hadco, Coretec and most recently Sanmina.

LONDON -- The SMART Group will give away copies of its Lead-Free Defect Guide at Productronica next month.

The 28-page, color guide features many of the common and less obvious defects seen during the introduction of lead-free products. It shows defects associated with components, boards, design, materials, assembly and rework. It also includes some issues which may be seen on field returns.

Copies will be available at the SMART Group booth, Hall 4, stand 303 in the British Trade Area. Productronica takes place Nov. 13-16 in Munich.