THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Huntsman
Corp., the chemicals maker,
reported a third-quarter net loss of $29.8 million on a 6.4% gain in
revenues, to $3.1 billion, for the quarter ended Sept. 30.
The loss included $600,000 in tax losses from discontinued operations
and net of tax charges of $68.4 million for restructuring, impairment and
plant closing costs and $41.4 million for the early extinguishment of debt.
The company reported a net
income of $43.7 million in the third quarter of 2004, including $2.8
million in tax losses from discontinued operations and net of
tax charges of $32.6 million for restructuring, impairment and plant
closing costs and a net of tax gain for early extinguishment of debt of
$2.3 million.
Sales from its Advanced Materials group, which makes coatings for
construction
markets and electronics, fell 1.7%, to $289.4 million on lower volumes.
Average selling prices rose 10% due to price increase initiatives in
certain markets in response to
improved demand and higher raw material costs.
Peter R. Huntsman, president and CEO, said, "The third quarter was
extremely challenging from an operating perspective. Hurricane Katrina
and Hurricane Rita negatively impacted not only our manufacturing
facilities in the U.S. Gulf Coast but also the operations of many of
our customers and suppliers. These storms also resulted in dramatic
increases in feedstock and energy costs in the second half of the
quarter.
"In addition, raw material pressures appear to
have eased in recent weeks, which together with initiatives to raise
our selling prices in our differentiated segments, should provide
opportunities to expand profitability as we enter 2006."
Washington, DC – Plans are underway for the IMAPS International Conference and Exhibition on Device Packaging, March 20 – 23, 2006, in Scottsdale, AZ.
The conference is dedicated to the challenges and technologies for packaging and devices of all types. Dr. Andrew Strandjord, IMAPS VP of technology and Device Packaging ’06 general chair, said in a statement, “This Conference will feature a new format – six workshops concentrating on 3-D Packaging; Copper/Low-K; Flip-Chip Technologies; High Frequency/Microwave; MEMS; and Optoelectronics.”
It will also feature an exhibition and technology showcase.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The annual Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium
& Exhibit will focus on lead-free PWB finishes, 3-D integration,
lead-free package finishes and advanced flip chips.
The dual keynotes are, Prospects and Challenges of Nano-Packaging for Electronic and
Bioelectronic Systems, will be given by Rao Tummala, Ph.D., of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Summary of New England Lead-free
Consortium Implementation Plan of High Volume Assembly of Printed
Wiring Boards, by Sammy Shina, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The event takes place Jan. 17-19, in Hawaii and is sponsored by the SMTA.
Other sessions will cover thermo-mechanical reliability, materials
deposition, MEMS and sensor networks, and embedded and SiP packaging,
materials and process management and reliability testing and failure
analysis.
Sponsors include 3M Co., Asymtek, Dow Corning, Indium, Libra Industries and Sonoscan.
SAN JOSE -- Tessera
Technologies, a fabless chip packaging company, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase
certain assets of Shellcase Ltd., for
$33 million in cash. The deal is pending standard closing conditions
and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the December
quarter. Shellcase is a provider of commercial wafer-level image sensor packaging. Its technology portfolio includes
wafer-level packaging for image sensors and other devices used in cellphones that integrate digital cameras.
"Tessera is one of the world's leading technology development and
licensing companies. This, in combination with the Shellcase
technology and team, will enable us to grow the new business
substantially," said Bruce McWilliams, Tessera's chairman and chief
executive officer. "Furthermore, it solidifies our position in the
wafer-level packaging market for image sensors and MEMS devices, which
we believe to be among the semiconductor industry's fastest growing
market segments."
According to Prismark Partners, a research firm, the image sensor market is expected to grow
from approximately 520 million units in 2004 to approximately 1.3
billion units by 2009. And In-Stat forecasts the MEMS market to grow from 2.4 billion
units in 2004 to nearly 6 billion units by 2009.
HERNDON, VA -- A pair of trade groups will discuss implementation and adoption of material composition data exchange
standards at Productronica this month.
IPC and iNEMI will sponsor the meeting, scheduled for Nov. 16 from 9 to noon.
SALT LAKE CITY -- CirTran Corp., a contract electronics
manufacturer, said today that it has obtained marketing and
distribution rights to The Perfect Grill, an electric indoor grill sold
through infomercials in
the U.S., Canada, Japan and South America. The company also obtainted
worldwide manufacturing rights.
CirTran said the agreement, signed last week with Euro-G.E.M GmbH of
Aschheim, Germany, is effective immediately.
CirTran-Asia, a
subsidiary, already builds the device in China.
ANAHEIM, CA -- Bruce McMaster, president and chief executive of
quickturn PCB maker DDi Corp., resigned today, effective immediately.
The company named senior vice president and CFO Mikel Williams to
replace him. A new CFO will be sought. DDi is the 8th largest
U.S.-based PCB company, with sales of about $195 million last year, although in terms of revenues from U.S.
operations it ranks fourth.
ENDICOTT, NY -- Endicott Interconnect Technologies, a supplier of electronic interconnect solutions and
turnkey manufacturing services, announced a contract to supply several major components in support of the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye Program for Raytheon-Network Centric Systems.
Endicott Interconnect will be responsible for PWB design,
fabrication and circuit card assembly production of multiple
components in support of this program.
The E-2D Hawkeye aircraft is used by the U.S. Navy primarily
as an all-weather, airborne battle management and command and control
center. It has been in active service with the U.S. Navy since 1973.
The major components of the Advanced Hawkeye are among the latest in a
continual series of modifications and upgrades to enhance the
aircraft's capabilities.
"With Endicott Interconnects new win with Raytheon, we further
enhance the company's position as the 'Supplier of the Future' to
Raytheon," said Jay McNamara, chief executive. "From our
initial engagements through today, we've made the commitment to deliver
unparalleled customer service, technical support, improved quality and
manufacturability in the products we build for Raytheon. Our staff of
experienced professionals will continue to support the Raytheon team
with development efforts on the Advanced Hawkeye, as well as other
programs," he said.
SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors
rose 5.2% sequentially to $19.6 billion in September, the SIA reported today. Global chip sales increased 5.6%
over September 2004.
GRAZ, AUSTRIA -- The global semiconductor market is expected to grow 6.6% on an
annualized basis to $227 billion in 2005, according to fall forecast of
the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics. Worldwide growth will accelerate to 8% in
2006 and 10.6% in 2007, with Asia-Pacific being the largest and
fastest growing regional market, the trade group said.
VANCOUVER -- Nam Tai
Electronics on Monday reported
third-quarter flat net income of $18.8 million on sales of $207
million, up 50.6% year-over-year. The EMS company's sales are up 44.3%
year-to-date, although net income has dropped 65% to $38.6 million.