TAIPEI -- BenQ will move its Taiwan-based handset production to China and possibly sell its cellphone manufacturing plants in Europe as part of cost-cutting measures designed to return the ODM to profitability.

BenQ Mobile, the firm's handset business, will be made a standalone entity, while its contract assembly work will be spun off and renamed, according to various news reports.

ROSEMONT, IL — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative and IPC will produce a half-day forum on emerging environmental regulations around the globe on Sept. 28, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center here in suburban Chicago.

The forum, Life after EU RoHS, will also identify collaborative efforts to close policy and technology gaps in preparation for future legislation.

“There are a number of new requirements being implemented in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., and industry needs to be involved in the policy discussions as well as preparing for the technology challenges” said Fern Abrams, director of environmental policy for IPC.  

The forum will provide an overview of key legislation that is currently pending, such as EU REACH, EU EuP, China RoHS and state laws in the U.S., plus review policy monitoring and advocacy efforts underway.  Participants will also identify policy and technology gaps and discuss potential new efforts to close them. 

Forum speakers include:

• Robert C. Pfahl, vice president, iNEMI
• Fern Abrams, director of environmental policy, IPC
• Jean-Philippe Brisson, associate, Allen & Overy
  
• Thomas E. Valliere, senior vice president, Design Chain Associates.
  

“Although many electronics manufacturers are already involved in the policy debates underway, communication between the policy and technology functions within companies could be improved,” said Pfahl. “As was the case with RoHS/WEEE, a number of these new regulations will require multiple functions within companies to develop effective and traceable solutions that harmonize with existing product and process requirements.”  

For additional information about the forum, go to http://www.inemi.org/cms/calendar/SMTAI_2006_Life_after.html

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s becoming a mantra: Inventory levels at EMS providers are rising. Deutsche Bank yesterday became the latest to make that assessment, issuing a research note that claimed roughly $3 billion of excess inventory in stock at contract manufacturers.

However, the supply chain will rid itself of most of the overages over the next six to 12 months, DB said. Further, it’s the component manufacturers and distributors whom are most at risk to suffer, DB said.

AMSTERDAM – A just-released Greenpeace study investigating the presence of certain hazardous substances in five popular laptop computers found only one – an H-P model – contained lead.

The study also looked at testing methodologies for verifying the presence of the substances. However, it was not Greenpeace's intent to test each product's compliance with the RoHS Directive.

MINNEAPOLIS – The SMTA will move its signature event, SMTA International, to Orlando next year, the trade group said.

The show is scheduled for Oct. 7-11, 2007, at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando.

The show has been sited in Chicago the past several years, in conjunction with the Assembly Technology Expo trade show.

SMTAI 2006 takes place next week at the Rosemont Convention Center.