News
MANKATO, MN – EMS provider and ODM Winland Electronics has received purchase orders and extensions for the next year totaling approximately $11.6 million.
The orders include a $5.6 million order extension from one of the company's larger customers; a new medical product design project, and a commitment from another client for 12-months continuation of business valued at approximately $5 million.
SAN JOSE, CA – Three-month bookings at North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment in September fell about 10% sequentially and 25% year-over-year, according to SEMI.
WASHINGTON — The Semiconductor Industry Association and the Institute of Electrical Engineers-USA are urging swift congressional action to help skilled immigrants gain permanent U.S. residency status.
In a joint letter sent Oct. 11 to Senate and House leaders, the SIA and the IEEE-USA, often at odds on issues such as the H-1B visa program, together advised passage of measures to ease the hiring of foreign-born scientists and engineers and other proposals to enhance the global competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech sector.
The letter, signed by SIA president George Scalise and IEEE-USA president John Meredith, reads in part, "Both IEEE-USA and SIA see the retention of highly educated immigrants as part of a broader competitiveness and innovation initiative that includes a doubling of federal investment in research in the physical sciences, improvements in science, technology, engineering and math education at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, and enactment of a permanent and strengthened R&D tax credit."
The letter continues, “Currently 51% of master’s and 71% of Ph.D. graduates in electrical and electronic engineering from U.S. universities are foreign nationals. The SIA and IEEE-USA agree that these highly-talented individuals should be able to get permanent resident status … in an expedited manner.”
In a joint letter sent Oct. 11 to Senate and House leaders, the SIA and the IEEE-USA, often at odds on issues such as the H-1B visa program, together advised passage of measures to ease the hiring of foreign-born scientists and engineers and other proposals to enhance the global competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech sector.
The letter, signed by SIA president George Scalise and IEEE-USA president John Meredith, reads in part, "Both IEEE-USA and SIA see the retention of highly educated immigrants as part of a broader competitiveness and innovation initiative that includes a doubling of federal investment in research in the physical sciences, improvements in science, technology, engineering and math education at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, and enactment of a permanent and strengthened R&D tax credit."
The letter continues, “Currently 51% of master’s and 71% of Ph.D. graduates in electrical and electronic engineering from U.S. universities are foreign nationals. The SIA and IEEE-USA agree that these highly-talented individuals should be able to get permanent resident status … in an expedited manner.”
SCOTSDALE, AZ – Research firm IC Insights today upped its 2007 forecast for IC unit shipments to 10%, some two points higher than the firm’s earlier estimate.
If correct, the market would continue its streak of double-digit increases in IC shipments, which dates to 2002.
Moreover, the firm believes there is a good chance unit demand will continue to increase at least 10% annually over the next five to 10 years as new and evolving applications in communications and consumer electronics continue to incorporate large quantities of ICs.
The continuing development of emerging markets is also contributing to demand, the researcher adds.
Strong shipments of DRAM (49%), NAND flash memory (38%), interface (60%), data conversion (58%), and automotive-related analog ICs (32%) are driving overall demand and keeping IC shipments at a high level, according to IC Insights.
Future market growth will be largely influenced by changes in device average selling prices. Strong annual IC unit shipment growth rates are good news for IC suppliers. However, continued pressure on IC average selling prices may cause a prolonged period of "profitless prosperity" for IC suppliers, IC Insights says.
If correct, the market would continue its streak of double-digit increases in IC shipments, which dates to 2002.
Moreover, the firm believes there is a good chance unit demand will continue to increase at least 10% annually over the next five to 10 years as new and evolving applications in communications and consumer electronics continue to incorporate large quantities of ICs.
The continuing development of emerging markets is also contributing to demand, the researcher adds.
Strong shipments of DRAM (49%), NAND flash memory (38%), interface (60%), data conversion (58%), and automotive-related analog ICs (32%) are driving overall demand and keeping IC shipments at a high level, according to IC Insights.
Future market growth will be largely influenced by changes in device average selling prices. Strong annual IC unit shipment growth rates are good news for IC suppliers. However, continued pressure on IC average selling prices may cause a prolonged period of "profitless prosperity" for IC suppliers, IC Insights says.
ATLANTA – Circuits Assembly seeks participants for its annual Service Excellence Awards for EMS providers and electronics assembly equipment, material and software suppliers. Entries are now being accepted; the deadline to enter is Nov. 20.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Jabil Circuit's Italian subsidiary will acquire the manufacturing operations of Nokia Siemens Networks Italy in Cassina de’ Pecchi and Marcianise in a deal expected to close Nov. 1. European Union antitrust authorities have signed off on the deal, which will also include a long-term manufacturing agreement.
SHANGHAI — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative announced the opening of an office in Pudong, outside Shanghai.
iNEMI has named Haley Fu, Ph.D., as manager of operations-China to coordinate the consortium’s activities in the region.
The Shanghai office is the first iNEMI office outside of North America.
As manager of operations in China, Fu will be responsible for coordinating iNEMI activities in the region. She has several years’ experience in the electronics industry, working in areas such as environmentally preferred product development, surface-mounting technology, lead-free soldering and supply chain cost reduction.
iNEMI is planning an opening event for Jan. 16.
iNEMI has named Haley Fu, Ph.D., as manager of operations-China to coordinate the consortium’s activities in the region.
The Shanghai office is the first iNEMI office outside of North America.
As manager of operations in China, Fu will be responsible for coordinating iNEMI activities in the region. She has several years’ experience in the electronics industry, working in areas such as environmentally preferred product development, surface-mounting technology, lead-free soldering and supply chain cost reduction.
iNEMI is planning an opening event for Jan. 16.
BANGALORE, INDIA – EMS provider Elcoteq SE will build Telsima’s WiMAX-based broadband wireless access and DCME voice compression gear under a deal announced today. Volumes and financial details were not announced.
Elcoteq has begun volume manufacturing of Telsima’s WiMAX CPEs StarMAX 2100 series in Bangalore.
Elcoteq provides boxbuild manufacturing for WiMAX CPEs, including new product introduction, sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and after-sales services.
Elcoteq provides boxbuild manufacturing for WiMAX CPEs, including new product introduction, sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and after-sales services.
LIANYUNGANG, CHINA – Henkel Huawei Electronics Co., a joint venture of Huawei Electronics and Henkel Corp., announced plans to unveil its state-of-the-art mold compound manufacturing facility in Lianyungang, China on Oct. 26.
The operation will encompass 16,000 sq. meters of administrative and manufacturing space and reportedly will have a production capacity of 25,000 tons of material annually.
The site will be a central manufacturing hub, at which more than 10 patented epoxy mold compounds will be made, and will host product development, material prototype production, test and analysis and ongoing technology research.
The JV’s mold compound materials are currently incorporated into discrete components, SOICs, QFPs, BGAs, CSPs and POPs.
The operation will encompass 16,000 sq. meters of administrative and manufacturing space and reportedly will have a production capacity of 25,000 tons of material annually.
The site will be a central manufacturing hub, at which more than 10 patented epoxy mold compounds will be made, and will host product development, material prototype production, test and analysis and ongoing technology research.
The JV’s mold compound materials are currently incorporated into discrete components, SOICs, QFPs, BGAs, CSPs and POPs.
NASHUA, NH – NSAI announced the launch of its RoHS Compliance Assurance System certificate program, developed for organizations to demonstrate compliance to the E.U. RoHS directive enforcement guidance.
Upon successful completion of the assessment process, clients are issued a Certificate of Compliance to use to market and promote their manufacturing process.
“The organization does not necessarily have to be ISO-certified to benefit from this certification program,” said vice president Chris Morrell.
For information, visit www.nsaiinc.com/services/RoHS/.
Upon successful completion of the assessment process, clients are issued a Certificate of Compliance to use to market and promote their manufacturing process.
“The organization does not necessarily have to be ISO-certified to benefit from this certification program,” said vice president Chris Morrell.
For information, visit www.nsaiinc.com/services/RoHS/.
ORLANDO – SMTA is seeking abstracts for the 2008 SMTAI technical conference. Short course descriptions are also being solicited.
The abstract deadline is Jan. 7. Papers will be accepted March 7, and manuscripts are due May 26.
SMTA International will take place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Aug. 17-21.
Papers should describe significant results from experiments, emphasize new techniques, and contain technical, economic or appropriate test data. Material should be original, unpublished and non-commercial in nature. Papers are being solicited in the following categories: emerging technologies, components, assembly, PCB technology, process control and business.
Please submit abstracts at www.smta.org/smtai/call_for_papers.cfm.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Global third-quarter large-sized LCD panel revenue is expected to increase by more than 17% sequentially and 45% year-over-year, iSuppli Corp. believes.
“iSuppli estimates that revenue rose to $16.7 billion in the second quarter, up from $13.4 billion in the first,” said Sweta Dash, director, LCD and projection research for iSuppli. “Despite an anticipated softening in demand growth in the fourth quarter, with the strong third-quarter results we expect large-sized LCD panel revenue for all of 2007 to rise by more than 27%” year-over-year.
As for shipments, the large-sized LCD market is expected to reach 370 million units by the end of the year.
“iSuppli expects 20% unit growth for monitor panels, 35% growth for notebook panels and 51% growth for the TV panel market in 2007 compared to 2006,” Dash said.
LG.Philips LCD started the earnings season off impressively, announcing an 18% increase in revenue sequentially and a 43% rise year-over-year, says the firm.
Samsung followed with an equally impressive 20% increase in LCD revenue compared to the second quarter, and a 34% increase compared to the third quarter last year.
Suppliers of large-sized panels fell short of demand in the quarter as a result of customers placing orders for the holiday season earlier than usual. Other factors behind the shortage included cuts in panel suppliers’ fab utilization rates in the first half, slowed production expansion plans and greater capital-spending discipline among LCD makers, according to iSuppli.
Suppliers of desktop-computer monitor, notebook and 32" and smaller TV panels remained constrained throughout the quarter, spurring significant price increases.
Most mainstream notebook and monitor panel prices increased by 7 to 10% from June to September, after a 10 to 15% price increase from the previous three months. The average 32" and below TV panel price rose by only 2 to 3% from June to September after a 4 to 5% price increase from April to June, according to iSuppli.
The 40/42" TV panel price decreased by less than 5% from June to September, the firm says.
Profitability among the large-sized LCD suppliers was better in the third quarter than the second. Monitor panels were particularly profitable.
TV panel profitability lagged behind the notebook and monitor panels in the quarter. This resulted in a partial shift in production capacity from TV panels – especially the 32" size – to monitor panels.
The phenomenon contributed to the supply tightness, resulting in panel price increases and higher profitability compared to the prior quarter. The 32" and 40/42" WXGA TV panels generated a 5 to 15% profit margin in the quarter.
The LCD-TV market is shifting to larger sizes because of the increased availability of bigger panels at lower prices. Furthermore, the move to thin form-factor and wide-format LCD display technology means consumers can more easily fit televisions with larger screen sizes into their homes. This trend, combined with HD resolutions, means such large-screen sets are practical for more consumers.
This shift to larger-sized panels will boost revenue and profitability for the TV panel makers. The monitor panel market also is shifting to the 19", 20" and 22" sizes.
The global LCD-TV panel market in 2008 is expected to expand to 102.5 million units, up 27.2% from 2007. This will mark the first time shipments will surpass the 100 million mark, says iSuppli.
“iSuppli estimates that revenue rose to $16.7 billion in the second quarter, up from $13.4 billion in the first,” said Sweta Dash, director, LCD and projection research for iSuppli. “Despite an anticipated softening in demand growth in the fourth quarter, with the strong third-quarter results we expect large-sized LCD panel revenue for all of 2007 to rise by more than 27%” year-over-year.
As for shipments, the large-sized LCD market is expected to reach 370 million units by the end of the year.
“iSuppli expects 20% unit growth for monitor panels, 35% growth for notebook panels and 51% growth for the TV panel market in 2007 compared to 2006,” Dash said.
LG.Philips LCD started the earnings season off impressively, announcing an 18% increase in revenue sequentially and a 43% rise year-over-year, says the firm.
Samsung followed with an equally impressive 20% increase in LCD revenue compared to the second quarter, and a 34% increase compared to the third quarter last year.
Suppliers of large-sized panels fell short of demand in the quarter as a result of customers placing orders for the holiday season earlier than usual. Other factors behind the shortage included cuts in panel suppliers’ fab utilization rates in the first half, slowed production expansion plans and greater capital-spending discipline among LCD makers, according to iSuppli.
Suppliers of desktop-computer monitor, notebook and 32" and smaller TV panels remained constrained throughout the quarter, spurring significant price increases.
Most mainstream notebook and monitor panel prices increased by 7 to 10% from June to September, after a 10 to 15% price increase from the previous three months. The average 32" and below TV panel price rose by only 2 to 3% from June to September after a 4 to 5% price increase from April to June, according to iSuppli.
The 40/42" TV panel price decreased by less than 5% from June to September, the firm says.
Profitability among the large-sized LCD suppliers was better in the third quarter than the second. Monitor panels were particularly profitable.
TV panel profitability lagged behind the notebook and monitor panels in the quarter. This resulted in a partial shift in production capacity from TV panels – especially the 32" size – to monitor panels.
The phenomenon contributed to the supply tightness, resulting in panel price increases and higher profitability compared to the prior quarter. The 32" and 40/42" WXGA TV panels generated a 5 to 15% profit margin in the quarter.
The LCD-TV market is shifting to larger sizes because of the increased availability of bigger panels at lower prices. Furthermore, the move to thin form-factor and wide-format LCD display technology means consumers can more easily fit televisions with larger screen sizes into their homes. This trend, combined with HD resolutions, means such large-screen sets are practical for more consumers.
This shift to larger-sized panels will boost revenue and profitability for the TV panel makers. The monitor panel market also is shifting to the 19", 20" and 22" sizes.
The global LCD-TV panel market in 2008 is expected to expand to 102.5 million units, up 27.2% from 2007. This will mark the first time shipments will surpass the 100 million mark, says iSuppli.
Press Releases
- Surf-Tech Manufacturing Adds New ViTrox V510i AOI to Strengthen Advanced Packaging Inspection
- Altus Supports Cambertronics’ SMT Process Upgrade with Koh Young SPI
- Ben Maulorico joins Insight Polymers & Compounding as business development manager
- Strengthening SEMI Business (Semiconductor Back-End Process) in the European Market