WETZLAR, GERMANY -- Golden Gate Capital has acquired the semiconductor equipment division of Leica Microsystems AG. Terms were not disclosed.

David Dominik, managing director of Golden Gate, said in a statement. “SED is well-positioned for growth as a market leader in mask metrology, optical defect review, and direct-write E-beam lithography.” In 2004, the division's revenues were approximately $120 million.

Leica Microsystems SED will continue to be led by the current management team, with manufacturing operations in Germany and the U.K. The company will be called Leica Microsystems SED for a short transition period until a new name has been established.

The acquisition represents the second semiconductor investment for Golden Gate in 2005. In April, the investor group acquired TDK Semiconductor, now named Teridian Semiconductor.

Leica Microsystems makes quality control and defect analysis solutions and E-beam lithography systems for the semiconductor industry.

Leica Microsystems AG is a subsidiary of Danaher Corp.

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BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC today issued a statement supporting the U.S. EPA’s actions to amend the Toxics Release Inventory program but noting concerns over its limited benefits to electronics manufacturers.

In a statement, IPC environmental policy director Fern Abrams said, “IPC certainly appreciates EPA’s efforts, but we’re a bit disheartened that the EPA’s proposals will not provide the manufacturing sector with burden reductions of any significance."

Recent TRI Burden Reduction Initiatives announced by the EPA include a proposed rule that would increase the number of TRI reporters eligible to use the short TRI Form A.

Abrams said the move would have little benefit for most facilities. "While the EPA proposes allowing facilities reporting lead and other persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals to use the shorter Form A, it only applies if they are reporting zero releases," Abrams said. "When combined with the agency’s failure to address enforcement concerns for facilities using Form A, it is likely that very few facilities will utilize this burden reduction option.”

EPA also plans to notify Congress of its intentions to change the TRI Reporting requirement from annual reporting to alternate-year reporting, thus providing some relief to a select number of TRI reporters, IPC said.

Abrams said such a move would be "win-win for all involved" as it would cut the reporting burden in half across the board.

SAN JOSE -- Flextronics will expand its EMS operations in Mexico through the development of a new facility in Ciudad Juarez. The plant is scheduled to be operational in the first half of 2006.

"Flextronics selected Ciudad Juarez based on its strategic access to North American markets," said chief operating officer Mike McNamara. "The supply base in this area is well established, allowing for logistical cost savings and increased efficiencies."

The facility will perform product build-to-order, product completion and pack-out, mechanical services and logistics such as repair and distribution.

Mike McNamara, Flextronics' chief operating officer. "Ciudad Juarez's proximity to the United States offers flexible logistics options including next-day delivery advantages, shorter transit times and lower transportations costs.

Other Flextronics operations in Mexico are in Guadalajara and Aguascalientes.

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NEW YORK -- Asia’s peak shipping season kicked off with pilot strikes, rate increases and reports of tight space conditions in some areas, particularly in regions that route cargo through transit hubs.

A strike by Polar Air Cargo pilots is expected to last through the peak season and cut freighter capacity out of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, said Trans Global Logistics USA, a major freight forwarder. Japan Airlines and Asiana immediately imposed rate increases after the strike was announced Sept. 16. The full impact of the strike is expected to hit toward the end of the month, TGL said.

Carriers are also hiking fuel surcharges by as much as 67 cents per kilogram.

Furthermore, there is typically a surge in air freight prior to the Chinese National Holiday celebration, which runs from Oct. 1-7. Shanghai and Hong Kong are among the areas expected to feel the brunt of peak season traffic, particularly due to high volumes of electronics goods. TGL advised allowing an extra one or two days of transit time for freight routing through Asian transit hubs because of congestion.