SAN JOSE - Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached a record $213 billion in 2004, a year-on-year increase of 28% from 2003, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported today. December chip sales declined 3.5% sequentially to $18.4 billion, in line with historical seasonality.

It was the first time since 2000 that global chip sales surpassed $200 billion.

December sales were 14.6% higher than December 2003. Fourth-quarter sales, at $55.1 billion, declined 0.8% sequentially.

BANNOCKBURN, IL - The December 90-day moving average shipments of all types of circuit boards rose 8.7% year-on-year, according to the latest poll of U.S. PCB fabricators. Bookings shot up 30.6%, a sharp rebound from November.

The domestic book-to-bill ratio was 1.04, up 0.08 from November. November was marked the first time the indicator had dropped below 1.0 since April 2003, said IPC, which tracks the data.

The ratio is based on data collected by IPC from rigid and flex producers and is calculated by dividing three months worth of orders by sales. A ratio over 1.0 is considered an indicator of rising demand.

Separately, the ratios were 0.93 for rigid PCBs and 1.41 for flexible circuits.

Rigid boards, estimated by IPC to make up 82% of all domestic PCBs, actually slid in December, with shipments falling 1.3% and bookings down 6.1%. Flex sales grew 32%, and bookings rose - no typo - 274%.

For the year rigid shipments rose 16%, bookings 6.6%. Flexible shipments grew 67.4% and bookings were up 104.3%.

For the year, shipments rose 26.5% while bookings jumped 25.4%. For the month, shipments rose 1.6% and bookings 73.4% vs. November.

Flex sales include some value-added services in addition to the bare flex circuits.

In a statement, IPC cautioned that month-to-month comparisons should be made with caution as they may reflect cyclical effects.

Tempe, AZ - The manufacturing sector grew in January for the 20th consecutive month, despite a drop in new orders and backlogs. Production reversed a three month slide, said the Institute for Supply Management.

Calling the inventory growth "significant," ISM chairman Norbert Ore said, the PMI reflects "continuing strength in manufacturing. However, manufacturers continue to struggle with prices, particularly for energy.

The PMI measure of economic activity fell 0.9 points sequentially from the revised December number, to 56.4%. New orders fell 6.1 points to 56.5%. However, production rose 1.1 points to 57.8%. Employment was up 4.8 points, to 58.1%.

Electronic Components and Equipment, and Industrial and Commercial Equipment and Computers were among the sectors reporting growth.

LAGUNA, Philippines - EMS provider Integrated Microelectronics Inc. will produce the RadarGolf Handheld golf ball finder device designed by Radar Golf Inc.

IMI president and chief executive Arthur R. Tan said, "We began working with Radar Golf in December 2003 and it is very exciting to see this breakthrough product now so close to coming to market."

Earlier this week, Radar Golf announced in a press release that independent lab tests found the company's patented ball performed equal to or better than competitive balls from Titleist, Callaway, Nike and Maxfli. The tests measured both distance and spin. The ball conforms to U.S. Golf Association standards. 

The novel ball contains proprietary ball positioning system technology. When used with the RadarGolf device, balls can be detected from 30 to 100 feet away.

First shipments are scheduled for June.