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SAN JOSE -- North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.1 billion in orders in October on a three-month average basis. The book-to-bill ratio was 0.95, according to SEMI.

A book-to-bill of 0.95 means that $95 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month worldwide bookings average was up 12% over revised September levels and 20% below October 2004.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in October 2005 was $1.16 billion, up 6% from revised September figures but down 19% from last year.

The numbers also include revised August bookings.

"Bookings and billings for North American based semiconductor equipment providers have been stable for the past six months," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "It is encouraging to see the recent improvement in bookings as the industry continues to ramp 300 mm production and is beginning to invest in 65 nanometer technology."

WEST CHICAGO -- Price erosion of surface mount connectors during the past five years has been significant and painful, says Bishop and Associates.

The research firm cites as the main reason the migration of manufacturing to China. "There is no doubt that connector prices have been significantly influenced by the lower costs [of China]. The lower prices are a function of the lower manufacturing costs."

Once the manufacturing migration to China has “run its course” and China prices are fully implemented, connector prices will stabilize, Bishop said. "In effect, the China influence on lower prices is a one-time occurrence. That is, once China pricing is in the marketplace, connector prices stabilize and stop declining. Once the lower costs are passed along, it’s over. There is no more to give the OEMs."

Prices have begun to level, Bishop wrote. "We have already started to achieve connector price stability. Feedback from the industry suggests that the 7-10% price erosion of the past few years has slowed to the historical norm of 3-4% price erosion."

HIALEAH, FL -- Simclar Inc., a electronics contract manufacturer, reported September quarter revenue of $16.6 million, up 25.4% from last year. Net income fell to $242,000 versus $486,000 a year ago.

Excluding the May 1, 2005 acquisition of Simclar (North America), revenue for the quarter would have been $14.9 million, up 11.9%, and net income would have been $353,000.

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Raven Industries reported sales rose 11% to a record $54.1 million over the year-ago period and net income rose 32% to a record $6.9 million for its third quarter ended OCt. 31.

The company took a $820,000 after-tax writeoff of an acquisition in the prior year; excluding that, the net income grew 14%.

For the quarter, electronic systems sales were down 2% percent to $13.7 million. The division posted operating income of $1.9 million, up 18% from a year ago. Customers requested early delivery of product in the second quarter, which reduced third quarter shipments.

For the first nine months of the year, sales totaled $42.3 million, up 21% from the last year while operating income more than doubled, to $6.9 million.

NEW YORK -- End-market inventories of semiconductors remained low and stable in the September quarter, but distributors' inventories increased 8%, or $127 million, and 3 days from June.

SG Cowen said that inventories at buyers of semiconductors appear low and stable. Inventories at 49 major semiconductor customers fell in both dollar terms and days on a seqential basis, the firm said.

Portsmouth, RI – International Manufacturing Services (IMS) has appointed W. Howard Associates to represent its products in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

W. Howard Assoc., founded in 1983, is a manufacturers representative focused on RF/microwave, interconnect devices and sensor products.

IMS manufactures quality thick film chip resistors, both standard and custom, for applications ranging from automotive sensors to high frequency microwave and medical equipment.