News
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The SMTA is offering a number of educational events this spring, including an RoHS Due Diligence workshop on April 18 and June 13, and the Medical Electronics Symposium on May 15-17.
The Building Your Due Diligence Defense Workshop aims to help participants reduce both financial risk and operational costs. This workshop will be held on April 18 at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee Airport, and will be repeated on June 13 at the DoubleTree Hotel Colorado Springs.
Workshop Topics
· Due-diligence legal definitions and case-law interpretations
· Industry best practices
· Critical steps when implementing a due diligence process
· What to include on your due diligence checklist
· Revising contracts to reduce liability
· Cost-effective ways to collect, manage and report substance-level data
· Screening techniques for supplier and product verification
· Lab testing strategies, methods and ways of reducing cost
· Fastest way to populating your materials database
· Tips for balancing financial risk and operational costs
For details, visit smta.org/education/academy/academy.cfm#RoHS.
The third annual SMTA Medical Electronics Symposium will be held on May 15-17 at the Sheraton Hotel Minneapolis South in Bloomington, MN.
This symposium will focus on the medical device market’s current and future outlooks, application cleanliness, business challenges, sensors/MEMS, material and component reliability, product technology, product assembly, Pb Free learned lessons, process and cost improvement projects.
A half-day course on Reliability Assurance in Medical Electronics will be conducted by Graig Hillman, DfR Solutions and Daniel Baldwin, Engent Inc.
A tabletop exhibit will feature industry suppliers.
For more info.: smta.org/education/symposia/symposia.cfm#medical
The Building Your Due Diligence Defense Workshop aims to help participants reduce both financial risk and operational costs. This workshop will be held on April 18 at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee Airport, and will be repeated on June 13 at the DoubleTree Hotel Colorado Springs.
Workshop Topics
· Due-diligence legal definitions and case-law interpretations
· Industry best practices
· Critical steps when implementing a due diligence process
· What to include on your due diligence checklist
· Revising contracts to reduce liability
· Cost-effective ways to collect, manage and report substance-level data
· Screening techniques for supplier and product verification
· Lab testing strategies, methods and ways of reducing cost
· Fastest way to populating your materials database
· Tips for balancing financial risk and operational costs
For details, visit smta.org/education/academy/academy.cfm#RoHS.
The third annual SMTA Medical Electronics Symposium will be held on May 15-17 at the Sheraton Hotel Minneapolis South in Bloomington, MN.
This symposium will focus on the medical device market’s current and future outlooks, application cleanliness, business challenges, sensors/MEMS, material and component reliability, product technology, product assembly, Pb Free learned lessons, process and cost improvement projects.
A half-day course on Reliability Assurance in Medical Electronics will be conducted by Graig Hillman, DfR Solutions and Daniel Baldwin, Engent Inc.
A tabletop exhibit will feature industry suppliers.
For more info.: smta.org/education/symposia/symposia.cfm#medical
Lexington, KY -- SMC and Note AB have joined forces to establish an International Procurement Office (IPO) in Shenzhen. Both companies are partners in the ems-Alliance, a group of select EMS providers from around the world.
“Forming an IPO has been a goal for SMC since joining the ems-Alliance in 2003,” said Craig Schuster, SMC COO. “Through our established relationship with ems-Alliance partner Note AB, and strategies developed by the Alliance supply team, SMC was able to open an IPO in late 2005 in Shenzhen City, Guangdon Province, Peoples Republic of China.”
The day to day operations of the IPO are run by general manager Derek Teagle of Note AB. Teagle works with a staff of six English speaking Chinese nationals, consisting of buyers and engineers, who represent SMC and Note AB in sourcing manufacturing components in the Pacific Rim, most heavily concentrated in the low-cost region of China. They currently source custom build-to-print products such as: PCBs, cables, wiring harnesses, metals and plastics. They can also source relays, connectors and transformers.
Once the IPO locates a new supplier they must then go through an evaluation phase. The IPO office works to evaluate, qualify and approve a custom supplier prior to any purchases. On-site visits are mandatory for each new custom supplier.
SMC’s purchasing department then takes over and makes the actual purchase of the components and uses their previously established logistics companies to ship product. SMC is currently purchasing approximately 10% of their manufacturing materials off-shore.
“Forming an IPO has been a goal for SMC since joining the ems-Alliance in 2003,” said Craig Schuster, SMC COO. “Through our established relationship with ems-Alliance partner Note AB, and strategies developed by the Alliance supply team, SMC was able to open an IPO in late 2005 in Shenzhen City, Guangdon Province, Peoples Republic of China.”
The day to day operations of the IPO are run by general manager Derek Teagle of Note AB. Teagle works with a staff of six English speaking Chinese nationals, consisting of buyers and engineers, who represent SMC and Note AB in sourcing manufacturing components in the Pacific Rim, most heavily concentrated in the low-cost region of China. They currently source custom build-to-print products such as: PCBs, cables, wiring harnesses, metals and plastics. They can also source relays, connectors and transformers.
Once the IPO locates a new supplier they must then go through an evaluation phase. The IPO office works to evaluate, qualify and approve a custom supplier prior to any purchases. On-site visits are mandatory for each new custom supplier.
SMC’s purchasing department then takes over and makes the actual purchase of the components and uses their previously established logistics companies to ship product. SMC is currently purchasing approximately 10% of their manufacturing materials off-shore.
SOUTHFIELD, MI — DENSO announced a new five-year North American Environmental Action Plan that takes effect in April and will serve as a roadmap for North American environmental activities.
“We recognize that while automobiles are an essential part of our daily lives, they do have a negative impact on the environment,” said Mitsuo “Matt” Matsushita, DENSO International America president and CEO. “We believe it is our responsibility to do everything we can to reduce that environmental burden.”
The environmental action plan is organized into four categories:
Eco Products: develop products that are lightweight, energy saving and consider environmental improvement. In all of its products, the company will reduce its use of resources; control and reduce environmentally hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium; and integrate environmental planning into product design.
Eco Factory: work to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing facilities (including manufacturing and distribution) through reduced water use (to 50% of 1999 levels); reduced CO2 emissions (by 18% in manufacturing facilities and 6% in other facilities); reduce landfill waste to 75% of 1999 levels; and reduce hazardous substance emissions by decreasing manufacturing facility regulated emissions volume to 30% of 2000 levels.
Eco Management: develop environmental action plans and reinforce environmental partnerships with suppliers through activities such as developing green procurement guidelines and promoting the purchase of environmentally friendly products.
Eco Friendly: encourage and support employee environmental activities; offer proactive information disclosure and communication with stakeholders; offer environmental education, and environmental and social contributions.
“Our ultimate goal is to prevent global warming, recycle resources and reduce environmentally hazardous substances,” said Matsushita. “That is how we’ll measure our success rate in each of these four key areas.”
Japan-based DENSO Corp. employs more than 15,000 people in the Americas at 33 companies with sales for fiscal 2005 totaling US$5.4 billion.
“We recognize that while automobiles are an essential part of our daily lives, they do have a negative impact on the environment,” said Mitsuo “Matt” Matsushita, DENSO International America president and CEO. “We believe it is our responsibility to do everything we can to reduce that environmental burden.”
The environmental action plan is organized into four categories:
Eco Products: develop products that are lightweight, energy saving and consider environmental improvement. In all of its products, the company will reduce its use of resources; control and reduce environmentally hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium; and integrate environmental planning into product design.
Eco Factory: work to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing facilities (including manufacturing and distribution) through reduced water use (to 50% of 1999 levels); reduced CO2 emissions (by 18% in manufacturing facilities and 6% in other facilities); reduce landfill waste to 75% of 1999 levels; and reduce hazardous substance emissions by decreasing manufacturing facility regulated emissions volume to 30% of 2000 levels.
Eco Management: develop environmental action plans and reinforce environmental partnerships with suppliers through activities such as developing green procurement guidelines and promoting the purchase of environmentally friendly products.
Eco Friendly: encourage and support employee environmental activities; offer proactive information disclosure and communication with stakeholders; offer environmental education, and environmental and social contributions.
“Our ultimate goal is to prevent global warming, recycle resources and reduce environmentally hazardous substances,” said Matsushita. “That is how we’ll measure our success rate in each of these four key areas.”
Japan-based DENSO Corp. employs more than 15,000 people in the Americas at 33 companies with sales for fiscal 2005 totaling US$5.4 billion.
SAN JOSE -- Sales of communications equipment
sales reached $309 billion in 2005, topping the $300 billion mark for the
first time, research firm Electronic Trend Publications reported, led by sales
of cellular handsets.
Through 2010, outsourced manufacturing will grow nearly twice as fast as in-house manufacturing, ETP said. "Outsourcing will prove to be most popular for commodity and high-volume products for which cost reduction and time to market are important. Demand for in-house production of communications products will remain solid but uninspired, and dominated by Asian OEMs that prefer not to subcontract."
Through 2010, outsourced manufacturing will grow nearly twice as fast as in-house manufacturing, ETP said. "Outsourcing will prove to be most popular for commodity and high-volume products for which cost reduction and time to market are important. Demand for in-house production of communications products will remain solid but uninspired, and dominated by Asian OEMs that prefer not to subcontract."
BOSTON -- Strong demand for air freight in key markets and freight backlogs are delaying shipments and pushing rates higher.
In certain gateways, rate increases have hit 30%, Trans Global Logistics said in an email to customers.
The demand for air lift is in line with seasonal patterns, the firm said, although the surge for capacity hit "about a week earlier than normal."
March often ends the first fiscal quarter, the firm noted, which in turn ignites a surge in electronics exports. "High-tech importers continue to tell our operations staff that demand should be strong later this month."
Sites with major backlogs include Bangladesh, Seoul, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan have seen prices increase as much as 30%. In other areas, carriers will only accept cargo at express rates, which can add another $1.50/kg. to the cost of shipping by air.
Some carriers have announced new fuel surcharge increases as well.
In certain gateways, rate increases have hit 30%, Trans Global Logistics said in an email to customers.
The demand for air lift is in line with seasonal patterns, the firm said, although the surge for capacity hit "about a week earlier than normal."
March often ends the first fiscal quarter, the firm noted, which in turn ignites a surge in electronics exports. "High-tech importers continue to tell our operations staff that demand should be strong later this month."
Sites with major backlogs include Bangladesh, Seoul, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan have seen prices increase as much as 30%. In other areas, carriers will only accept cargo at express rates, which can add another $1.50/kg. to the cost of shipping by air.
Some carriers have announced new fuel surcharge increases as well.
SAN JOSE -- Sanmina-SCI Corp. , the electronics manufacturing
services company, today announced that its Kunshan, China facility has
passed the registration audit for ISO/TS 16949 certification.
The certification is the highest international standard for the automotive industry.
ISO T/S 16949 is an international quality management system certification that aligns existing American (QS-9000), German (VDA6.1), French (EAQF) and Italian (AVSQ) automotive quality systems into a single standard, eliminating the need for multiple certifications.
ISO/TS 16949 certification acknowledges that Sanmina-SCI has the necessary systems and processes in place for design, development, manufacturing, installation and servicing of automotive-related products
The certification is the highest international standard for the automotive industry.
ISO T/S 16949 is an international quality management system certification that aligns existing American (QS-9000), German (VDA6.1), French (EAQF) and Italian (AVSQ) automotive quality systems into a single standard, eliminating the need for multiple certifications.
ISO/TS 16949 certification acknowledges that Sanmina-SCI has the necessary systems and processes in place for design, development, manufacturing, installation and servicing of automotive-related products
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- SigmaTron International today reported net sales grew 36% year-over-year but earnings dropped 79% for quarter ended Jan. 31.
The electronic manufacturing services company posted net income of $300,000 on net revenues of $34.1 million. "While our overall third quarter results were disappointing, we continue to believe that we have laid the foundation for continued growth and long-term success," president and chief executive Gary Fairhead said.
The electronic manufacturing services company posted net income of $300,000 on net revenues of $34.1 million. "While our overall third quarter results were disappointing, we continue to believe that we have laid the foundation for continued growth and long-term success," president and chief executive Gary Fairhead said.
MANKATO, MN -- Winland Electronics, an electronics manufacturing services firm, today reported record fourth-quarter sales of $7.6 million, up 15.1% from last year and 2.7% sequentially. Net income increased 61% to $671,171.
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, gross profit was $2 million, or 25.9% of sales, up 20.5% from a year ago. Total operating expenses rose 20.5% percent to $1.1 million. Operating income increased 20.5% to $875,616.
For the year, revenues were $29.1 million, up 20.3% over fiscal 2004. Net income rose 88% percent to $2 million. Gross profit was $7.2 million, or 24.8% of sales, up 30.1% from last year. Total operating expenses rose 12.3% to $4.1 million. Operating expenses as a percent of net revenues fell to 14% of sales, down 1 point, indicating increased operational efficiency and driving a 63.7% increase in operating income, from $1.9 million for fiscal 2004 to $3.2 million for fiscal 2005.
In a statement, Winland chief executive Lorin Krueger said, "During 2005, we increased our efforts to improve sales of our proprietary products into the security electronics industry. Proprietary products enhance our margins and contributed to our overall profitability.
The contract with the company's largest EMS customer, Select Comfort, will end in August, and Winland anticipates that sales to the company will fall after the second quarter. According to Krueger, Select Comfort plans to source half its product from Winland.
The company had $900,000 in cash at quarter's end and working capital of $6 million. The company spent $845 ,000 in capital expenditures during the fourth quarter, and almost $1.3 million during fiscal 2005.
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, gross profit was $2 million, or 25.9% of sales, up 20.5% from a year ago. Total operating expenses rose 20.5% percent to $1.1 million. Operating income increased 20.5% to $875,616.
For the year, revenues were $29.1 million, up 20.3% over fiscal 2004. Net income rose 88% percent to $2 million. Gross profit was $7.2 million, or 24.8% of sales, up 30.1% from last year. Total operating expenses rose 12.3% to $4.1 million. Operating expenses as a percent of net revenues fell to 14% of sales, down 1 point, indicating increased operational efficiency and driving a 63.7% increase in operating income, from $1.9 million for fiscal 2004 to $3.2 million for fiscal 2005.
In a statement, Winland chief executive Lorin Krueger said, "During 2005, we increased our efforts to improve sales of our proprietary products into the security electronics industry. Proprietary products enhance our margins and contributed to our overall profitability.
The contract with the company's largest EMS customer, Select Comfort, will end in August, and Winland anticipates that sales to the company will fall after the second quarter. According to Krueger, Select Comfort plans to source half its product from Winland.
The company had $900,000 in cash at quarter's end and working capital of $6 million. The company spent $845 ,000 in capital expenditures during the fourth quarter, and almost $1.3 million during fiscal 2005.
TORONTO – Canada will again host a conference on lead-free soldering, but this year’s sessions will have an international focus. The conference, held May 16-18 at Wyndham Bristol Hotel in Toronto, is presented by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), in conjunction with the Centre of Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging (CMAP).
The conference aims to enable Canadian electronics manufacturers in their continuing transition to lead-free products. However, paper presentations will come from Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, the U.S., and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
The conference is co-sponsored by the SMTA, iNEMI and the Integrated Electronic Engineering Center at State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton.
For further info., please contact:
Registration and General Inquiry: Agnieszka Madej, (905) 823-2020 x 221; agnieszka.madej@oce-ontario.org
Technical Inquiries: Dr. Laura J. Turbini, (416) 946-7329; turbini@ecf.utoronto.ca
Exhibit Inquiries: Guida Williamson, (905) 823-2020 x253; gwilliamson@oce-ontario.org
The conference aims to enable Canadian electronics manufacturers in their continuing transition to lead-free products. However, paper presentations will come from Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, the U.S., and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
The conference is co-sponsored by the SMTA, iNEMI and the Integrated Electronic Engineering Center at State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton.
For further info., please contact:
Registration and General Inquiry: Agnieszka Madej, (905) 823-2020 x 221; agnieszka.madej@oce-ontario.org
Technical Inquiries: Dr. Laura J. Turbini, (416) 946-7329; turbini@ecf.utoronto.ca
Exhibit Inquiries: Guida Williamson, (905) 823-2020 x253; gwilliamson@oce-ontario.org
FRAMINGHAM, MA -- Worldwide PC shipments are expected to grow 10.5% this year, boosted by sales to the Asia-Pacific region, said research firm IDC. Meanwhile, Gartner Group forecast a 10.7% rise in shipments.
Both firms estimate PC shipments grew more than 15% last year.
Both firms estimate PC shipments grew more than 15% last year.
Mike Buetow writes about IBM's new collaborative sales, services and marketing strategy at http://circuitsassembly.com/blog/.
CHENNAI, India -- Nokia inaugurated its manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, part of a planned $150 million investment in India.
Nokia began commercial production of mobile handsets at the factory on Jan. 2, and has built more than one million handsets there to-date.
Nokia began commercial production of mobile handsets at the factory on Jan. 2, and has built more than one million handsets there to-date.
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