Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - News

News

SAN JOSE, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that global semiconductor sales set a new monthly record for the fourth consecutive month. Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $21.9 billion in October, an increase of 9.2% year-over-year. Sales increased by 2.5% from the $21.4 billion reported in September 2006.

SAN JOSE, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released its annual forecast of global semiconductor sales, projecting that consumer demand for electronic products will drive sales to $321 billion in 2009. The SIA forecast projects a compound annual growth rate of 9% for the forecast period between 2006 and 2009.

The new forecast projects that sales will reach $248.8 billion in 2006, an increase of 9.4%, followed by increases of 10% to $273.8 billion in 2007, 10.8% to $303.4 billion in 2008, and 5.8% to $321 billion in 2009.

VANCOUVER -- PTL Electronics has won a $3.6 million order from a leading supplier of visual communications systems.

PTL will provide electronics manufacturing services for a new product line scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31. Shipments have already begun, the company said.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Henkel today announced the acquisition of Accurus Scientific Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturer of solder spheres and solder powders. Terms were not disclosed.

Founded in March 1998, Accurus makes type 1 through type 7 solder powders. The company employs 170 workers.

ROSEMONT, IL – Speakers are sought for next year’s Assembly Technology Expo technical conference. The trade show will be held Sept. 24-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The conference will address product design through end-of-line packaging and quality assurance. Presentations should be 50-minute papers, panel discussions or half-day workshops. Abstracts are due Feb. 1. www.canonshows.com/CFP/Midwest/index.asp

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials will reorganize its North American manufacturing operations, shifting some operations from the U.S. to Mexico over the next six to 12 months, the company said today.

The company will close two sites in the U.S. and will build a manufacturing plant in Mexico. It will also relocate its headquarters to another, unspecified site in New Jersey.

YAVNE, ISRAEL – Valor Computerized Systems’ process engineering software has been integrated with Mydata’s placement equipment, the company said today.

The integration aids parts and panel handling, and optimizes machine setup times.

The integration permits direct communication between hardware and software through the use of APIs. Users can create assembly data within Valor’s Trilogy-5000 tool, which are then integrated with Mydata’s own parts and shapes libraries and simulation.

Valor’s software also reads existing machine libraries, jobs and current feeder setup.

TEMPE, AZ -- The manufacturing sector failed to grow in November for the first time in 42 months despite gains in the broader economy. Computer and electronic products was one of eight industries reporting growth in November.

The monthly Institute for Supply Management report, issued today, showed November manufacturing activity fell to its lowest level since April 2003, as the PMI indicator fell to 49.5%. New orders and production both slumped.

The silver lining, said ISM spokesman Norbert Ore was new export order growth, which "continued as the weaker dollar continues to fuel that segment.

SAN FRANCISCO – Manufacturers looking for help on RoHS compliance will want to tune in to the upcoming Assessing and Maintaining Compliance webinar. The free online seminar will take place Dec. 13, 4 p.m. EST. The one-hour presentation will feature Ken Stanvick, senior vice president at Design Chain Associates, presenting on what companies need to do to maintain and demonstrate RoHS compliance; what an RoHS compliance audit really means; what needs to be audited within your company; and why to include suppliers and subcontractors in an audit.

http://www.eptac.com/rohs-weee/business.html

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil Circuit's previously announced assembly factory in the Ukraine will come online next spring, according to several reports.

Circuits Assembly first reported the plans in October.

Construction started on the plant in September. The finished plant will have an 85,000 sq. ft. footprint and employ 1,500 workers.

SALEM, NH - Appli-tec, a provider of adhesives, sealants and encapsulants, has relocated its offices and manufacturing operations to 7 Industrial Way in Salem, NH.

According to President Timothy Walsh, the 20,000 sq. ft. facility increases the company's production area by 50.

Appli-tec has also increased the size of its manufacturing team by 20% in the past six months.

TOKYO -- Panasonic Automotive Systems will launch a Thailand subsidiarynext month, the company said.

The unit will cover Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

"The establishment of the new company as a hub for development, manufacture and sales in Asia will lead to stronger cooperation among the PAS companies, realize global business opportunities and optimize Panasonic's product development and production system," said Toru Nishida, managing director, in a statement.