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STAMFORD, CT – Worldwide semiconductor revenue was $261.9 billion in 2008, down 4.4% year-over-year, according to preliminary results from Gartner Inc.

"In the last quarter of 2008, market conditions deteriorated significantly, and as the fourth quarter has progressed, many vendors have issued updated guidance for the quarter, reflecting weakening market conditions," said Andrew Norwood, research vice president at Gartner. "Unfortunately for vendors, 2009 is going to be considerably worse. Some have compared the precipitous decline in semiconductor demand to that of the 2001 ‘dot-com' bubble. However, unlike 2001, this economic downturn is much more broad-based and not limited primarily to the technology sector.

"Given this increased uncertainty, all semiconductor companies should be focused on cash preservation and inventory management," Norwood said. "This is also an excellent opportunity for the larger companies with stronger balance sheets to make strategic acquisitions."

For the 17th consecutive year, Intel held the top spot, increasing its market share to 13.1% this year. When looking at continuing operations, Intel's revenue increased 6.5%, 11 percentage points above the market average.

Qualcomm had the strongest growth rate among the top 10, growing revenues 15% in 2008. Although the first three quarters were strong, the company felt the impact of the economic downturn in the fourth quarter.

Hynix Semiconductor’s revenue fell 29.7%, the most of any of the top 10 semiconductor vendors. This decline is attributed to the price drop of DRAM and NAND.

Infineon Technologies struggled this year as well. "Infineon had a tough year, as its memory subsidiary, Qimonda, which it is looking to divest, is becoming marginalized within the DRAM industry," Norwood said.

ARLINGTON, VA – Electronic component orders took a dip in November, although not nearly as drastic as the one in September, says the Electronic Components Association. The 12-month average, comparing this year’s results to those from 2007, continued the slight descent that began this summer.

OLATHE, KS – EMS provider Elecsys Corp. reported fiscal second-quarter 2009 sales of $7.2 million, up 29% year-over-year. Net income was $424,000 for the quarter ended Oct. 31, up about 98% compared to the same period last year.

For the six-month period, net income totaled $533,000, up 65.5% year-over-year.

The firm expects a modest decline in revenues and profits for the third quarter, and a strong fiscal fourth quarter.

Total sales year-to-date increased 23% to $12.8 million. The increase is attributed to sales generated by the company’s Radix subsidiary's handheld computer business.

"The results reflect the strong growth of our Radix division, as well as the steady growth of NTG and the continued stability of DCI," said Karl Gemperli, Elecsys CEO.

Sales of Radix rugged handheld computer hardware and peripherals surged to approximately $3.3 million for the quarter. Radix sales included a $2.6 million order announced in July and delivered during the quarter to South Africa-based Transnet.

NTG sales of remote monitoring products were $833,000, up 2% year-over-year.

NEEDHAM, MA – PTC has acquired privately held Synapsis Technology Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

Spring House, PA-based Synapsis has approximately 25 employees and provides environmental regulatory compliance solutions to Motorola, Microsoft, Sony Ericsson, Visteon, Delphi, IBM, GE, Beckman Coulter, Teradyne and Cisco.

PTC provides product lifecycle management, content management and dynamic publishing solutions.

With the acquisition, PTC says it will broaden its support for green product design and enable customers to achieve compliance with REACH and other environmental regulations.