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NEW YORK -- Semiconductor customers will continue to increase consumption of multichip devices and PLDs over the next 12 months, suggests a recent survey of purchasing managers.

Investment bank SG Cowen said today that its poll of 250 procurement specialists provides "multi-year empirical data ... and serves as an important, independent validation."

The firm said 65% of participants expect year-over-year gains in purchases of chipset solutions and reference designs in the next 12 months. This is an increase from each of SG Cowen's three prior surveys, conducted in last February, October 2004 and July 2003.

Thirty-two percent of participants expect to increase purchases of PLDs within the next 12 months. This is unchanged from February but up 10 points from the July 2003 survey.

BERG, SWITZERLAND -- Alphasem Co. Ltd. has relocated its die-attach operations in China from Shenzhen to a larger premises in Suzhou.

The company, also makes die sort systems for semiconductor production, generates about 75% of its sales in Asia. The company founded the subsidiary three years ago, in Shenzhen.

The Suzhou plant will employ 30 workers, a number which the company said will increase significantly in the future.

STRATHAM, NH – Vitronics Soltec has named Erik Tobiason president, replacing Jeroen Schmits, who was named head of Universal Instruments last month.

Vitronics and Universal are subsidiaries of Dover Technologies. Tobiason was president of Graphics Microsystems Inc., also a Dover Corp. subsidiary.

NEW YORK -- Banc of America Securities says EMS demand should pick up in the second half as customers exhaust their budgets ahead of the next fiscal year.

"We still expect a second-half seasonal pick-up in demand due to corporate 'budget flush' and consumer holiday spending," said Banc of America. "On a year-over-year basis, we see mid-to-high single-digit growth in IT spending."

The analyst rated Flextronics and Benchmark as its best buys, while noting problems at Solectron and Sanmina-SCI.

HONG KONG -- Foxconn International reported first-half net earnings of $146.9 million, up 66% from $88.3 million last year. For the six months ended June 30, the ODM posted revenue of $2.35 billion, up from $1.29 billion a year ago.

Torrance, CA – Excellon Automation has opened its new corporate offices and North American production facility in Rancho Dominguez, CA. The relocation efforts will be completed by mid-October.

“Our current facility is outdated and no longer supports our North American production needs or provides the necessary capabilities for our world headquarters operations, “ said David Balsbough, president. “With our increased emphasis on customer support and technology leadership we need a facility that supports these objectives while providing efficient and flexible operating capabilities.”