BANNOCKBURN, IL – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the factory.
With the industry still reeling in some circles from the after-shocks of the RoHS Directive, a proposed list of nearly 50 additional substances has touched off an uproar over Europe’s apparent desire to obliterate modern electronics.
In the latest volley, IPC is calling on the organization charged with assessing potentially hazardous substances for possible inclusion in supplemental legislation to the RoHS Directive to table its efforts until further scientific evidence is available to support a ban.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – February PCB shipments among North American fabricators fell 0.3% and bookings jumped 15.4% year-over-year, IPC reported today. Year-to-date, combined industry shipments are up 1.8%, while bookings are up 13.3%. Sequentially, combined industry shipments for the month were up 3% and bookings were up 21%.
The book-to-bill moved up to 0.99, meaning that for every $100 boards sold, $99 in orders were received.
Rigid PCB bookings were up 15.6% and shipments were down 0.7% year-over-year, IPC said. Year to-date, rigid PCB shipments are up 2.3% and bookings are up 14.7%. Sequentially, rigid PCB shipments increased 1.7% and rigid bookings increased 20.6%.
The rigid book-to-bill ratio crept up to 0.99, said IPC.
Flexible circuit shipments in February were up 5.9% and bookings were up 12.4% compared to the same month last year. Year to-date, flex circuit shipments are down 6.2% and bookings are off 5.1%. Compared to the previous month, flexible circuit shipments were up 25.3% and flex bookings rose 27.7%.
ALAMEDA, CA – Technology Forecasters announced the agenda for its Quarterly Forum to be held in Tempe, AZ, April 23 and 24.
Agenda highlights include electronic manufacturing in Vietnam; five-year outsourcing forecast; industry executive panel discussion; the changing landscape of outsourcing, and profitable environmental strategies.
The gathering provides electronics industry executives from member companies with industry market data and forecasts, and the opportunity to discuss trends and issues with TFI consultants and industry peers.
Jabil, SAP America and Avnet Inc. are sponsoring the day-and-a-half event, which includes panel discussions and breakout working sessions.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil Circuit reported second-quarter net income dropped 273% to a loss of $24 million year-over-year. The EMS company was hit hard by a $42 million restructuring charge.