Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - News

News

STOCKHOLM – Mydata Automation will unveil next month what it is calling the first stencil-free printer. Seven years in the making, the MY500 jet printer will debut at Productronica in Munich next month.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Several blue chip OEMs, including Dell, IBM, Intel , Lucent and Cisco, have launched a technical committee to standardize processes for making power supplies, air movement equipment (fans), cables, connectors, heatsinks and components.

The OEM Critical Components Committee has identified several key components that impact their business.es but lack globally accepted quality and manufacturing process standards. The committee was formed under the auspices of IPC, the trade group.

The committee will work first on air movement devices. A draft has been proposed and is expected to be released early next year.

SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors increased sharply in August to $18.6 billion, up 3.2% from July and 1.7% over last year, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported today.

Year-to-date semiconductor sales are up 5.8%, SIA reported, and on a record pace.

TEMPE, AZ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in September for the 28th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 47th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest poll taken by ISM.

Beginning October 2, Circuits Assembly is seeking participants for its 14th annual Service Excellence Awards (SEAs) for Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers and Electronics Assembly Equipment, Material and Software suppliers.

The SEAs honor companies in electronics manufacturing for excelling in the critical area of customer service. The program also allows participants to benchmark themselves against peers in terms of customer satisfaction.

“We are proud of the decade-long recognition we’ve received from Circuits Assembly magazine and its Service Excellence Awards program,” said Karen Vincent, Director of Sales & Program Management, at previous winner MassTech EMS. “The awards both validate and raise awareness of our commitment to delivering outstanding services in engineering and creative supply chain solutions that help customers reach their larger business goals. What means most to us is that the awards reflect our clients’ perspective on our services. We look forward to participating in this program year after year.”

Customers are surveyed to determine a participating company's level of customer satisfaction in various categories, including: dependability/timely delivery; ease of use; manufacturing quality; responsiveness to requests and changes; technology; and value for the price. All customer responses and ratings are tabulated by a third party and provided in a confidential report to the participating company.

This year, Circuits Assembly will recognize three categories of EMS providers based on revenues (under $100 million; $100 million to $500 million; $500 million and over) and the following categories of suppliers: dispensing; pick-and-place; repair and rework; screen printing; test and inspection; materials (solder paste); and manufacturing or supply chain management software.

Circuits Assembly will honor winners during Apex 2006 in Anaheim, CA. Proceeds from the program help fund the SMTA's Charles Hutchins Educational Grant.

For more information, contact Circuits Assembly associate editor Robin Norvell at rnorvell@upmediagroup.com or visit circuitsassembly.com/cms/sea.

DES PLAINES, IL — Kester has opened a facility in Suzhou, China, just outside of Shanghai. The manufacturing and technical center will enable the company to meet the demands of China’s rapidly growing electronics assembly sector.

The new facility was created to enhance Kester’s ability to deliver globally. Its global distribution and manufacturing operations now allow customers to receive Kester’s full line of soldering and solder-related products 24/7 throughout the world.

LOS ALTOS, CA -- Rising oil prices are dampening the world economy, with Europe and Japan feeling the brunt worse than the U.S. and China. The result: A significant economic slowdown next year.

PHOENIX -- Suntron Corp., a publicly traded electronics manufacturing services company, today said its chief financial officer, Peter W. Harper, will leave Oct. 7, to accept a position with another company.

Harper released a statement saying, "I have greatly enjoyed my experience with Suntron and I am proud of our accomplishments over the past several years. My departure should not be viewed as a negative reflection on the company."

Vice president, controller and chief accounting officer James A. Doran has been named interim CFO.

MEUNG-ON-LOIRE, FRANCE -- Jabil Circuit, the top tier EMS company, has finished an capacity expansion to its production site here, according to news reports.

SINGAPORE -- Comparing India today to China of seven years ago, Sanmina-SCI Corp. will open its first plant in India within the next 12 months, Reuters reported today. CT Chua, senior vice president of South Asia Pacific Operations, said the EMS firm looks for 10% growth in sales in the region, to about $700 million in its next fiscal year, Reuters reported.

VALLEY CITY, ND - Vansco Electronics, a maker of electronic controls for equipment manufacturers, will layoff 27 of the its 72 employees here, the company said.

The layoffs could begin in January, a company official stated. The Winnipeg, Manitoba-based company said most of its manufacturing at the Valley City plant will be consolidated at other sites.

The plant was opened in 2001. In 2003, the company was given about $635,000 in city and state grants to keep it from leaving town, according to reports.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Dell this month will open a 750,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing facility -- the computer maker's largest -- in the Alliance Science & Technology Park in Winston-Salem.

The new facility will employ about 700 people in its first year of operation and will have 1,500 employees within five years, Dell said in a statement today.