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SG Cowen semiconductor analysts said the meetings found continued acceleration in GSM and GPRS handsets and strength in everything from notebooks to enterprise networking to wireless components.
The analysts said strength is expected across most consumer end-markets, particularly LCD monitors and high end TVs. Desktops have slowed, however, the firm said.
The analysts reported meeting with several of the largest Asian distributors, ODMs, component suppliers, foundries and back-end assembly and test vendors.
Epec LLC, a printed circuit board manufacturer since 1952, is exiting the production business. The company will sell its equipment at auction and concentrate on its board distribution business.
One of America’s first PCB shops, Epec's founders also cofounded the IPC, in 1957. Primarily a single and double-sided prototype shop, in recent years it added capabilities up to 16 layers. Of late, production made up about 25% of the company’s business, with the remainder brokered boards, general manager Gene St. Onge told Circuits Assembly.
Epec will retain a small amount of equipment to handle repair work.
The auction takes place Sept. 21. A preview will be held Sept. 20 at the company’s plant.
ALAMEDA, CA -- Meeting RoHS requirements requires a one-time investment of 2% to 3% of cost of goods sold, a top research firm said today. The firm released its findings to counter what it called "false information and speculation" about the cost of compliance.
Tempe, AZ – The manufacturing sector grew for the 27th straight month in August, although high energy prices raise concerns for future growth. New orders and production slipped from July but remained strong, according to the latest Institute for Supply Management (ism.ws) poll.
ISM chairman Norbert Ore said, “[T]he PMI still indicates significant economic growth in both manufacturing and the overall economy. Comments from supply managers indicate great concern over recent new highs in the energy commodities. Many express concerns as to whether current business strength can be sustained if high energy prices persist.”
For the month the PMI measure of economic activity fell 3.0 points sequentially, to 53.6%. New orders dropped 4.2 points to 56.4%, while production fell 4.4 points to 55.9%.
Backlogs grew slightly, up 1.5 points to 50.5. Manufacturers shaved internal inventories, but customer stock levels grew 2.0 points. Employment fell but remained above the benchmark for growth.
Electronic components and equipment was the third strongest category during the month. Industrial and commercial equipment and computers also reported growth.
April
May June
July
Aug.
PMI 53.3
51.4
53.8
56.6
53.6
New orders 53.7
51.7
57.2
60.6
56.4
Production
56.7
54.9
55.6
61.2
55.9
Inventories 47.9
47.8
47.8
47.5
45.7
Customer inventories 41.5 47.5
44.0
44.5
46.5 Backlogs 53.0
51.0
51.0
49.0
50.5
Source: Institute for Supply Management, August 2005
Press Releases
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- Express Manufacturing, Inc. Strengthens Test Capability with Acculogic Flying Probe System