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SEATTLE – The global semiconductor market is expected to grow 4.7% to $267.7 billion in 2008, up from 3.2% in 2007, according to the revised forecast of the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics.

ANAHEIM, CA – The military and defense work that has buoyed the North American PCB industry the past five years won’t last forever. But companies that focus on developing sectors – including energy – can take advantage of the inevitable landscape changes.

That was the consensus of an expert panel last week at the SMTA Los Angeles/Orange County chapter during its monthly meeting. The discussion, A Winning Strategy for Today’s Global Electronics Assembly Industry, focused mainly on the economy, Lean and lead-free.

MANCHESTER, NH – Finetech has opened a sales and support facility here, near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in the Airpark Business Center.

It is the second US facility for the company, which manufactures rework and bonding equipment.

“The new office is key to providing our US customers with localized sales and applications support,” said Neil O’Brien, sales director. “With this second US facility, we are expanding our ability to develop processes, run samples, exhibit equipment and create custom solutions.”

Finetech's main US demo facility is located in Tempe, AZ.

BRAINTREE, MA -- Ultra Electronics acquired Magneto Inductive Systems (MIS) and Harris Acoustic Products (HAP) for a combined $29 million in cash plus certain additional fees based on profitability and growth over the next four years.

The HAP acquisition is pending US regulatory approval.

EDINA, MN – SMTA International will take place in San Diego next year, marking the first time the trade show will be sited on the West Coast.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – April PWB shipments rose 12.9% year-over-year, and bookings 4.8% over last year, IPC reported today.

Year to date, shipments were up 6.5% and bookings 10.6%. Shipments were down 14.6% and bookings were off 19.1% versus March.

The book-to-bill edged up above parity, to 1.01. A ratio of more than 1.0 suggests demand is ahead of supply and is considered a sign of a rising market.

About 13% of the data are imported boards resold by North American fabricators.

Rigid PCB shipments, which make up 88% of sales, were up 12.2% and bookings were up 5.6% over last year.

Year to date, rigid shipments were up 6.6% and bookings were up 12.9%. Rigid shipments decreased 14.7% and bookings decreased 19.3% versus March.

Flexible circuit shipments in April were up 22.8%, while bookings were down 4.8% year-over-year.

Year to date, flex shipments were up 5% and bookings were down 14.3%. Compared to the March, flex shipments were down 12.5% and bookings fell 16.8%. The flex book-to-bill ratio was flat at 0.99.