TABY, SWEDEN – Mycronic’s Global Technologies division has acquired RoBAT, a UK-headquartered company specializing in high-frequency signal quality testing for bare board PCBs. The acquisition expands Global Technologies’ capabilities in advanced electrical test solutions.

Founded in 2001, RoBAT employs 27 people across offices in the United Kingdom, United States, and China. The company reported GBP 3 million ($1.28 million) in net sales for 2024.

“Computational power and communication will continue to evolve rapidly. The resulting high-speed applications require PCBs with good high frequency signal quality,” said Magnus Marthinsson, senior VP, Global Technologies, Mycronic.

“RoBAT’s offering is very exciting and particularly relevant for AI server applications,” added Jochen Kleinertz, head of the PCB Test business line.

RoBAT will be integrated into the PCB test business line within the Global Technologies division.

TAIPEI – Foxconn reported first-quarter revenue of T$1.64 trillion ($49.5 billion), its highest on record, driven by strong demand for cloud and networking products used in AI applications. The figure marked a 24.2% increase from a year earlier.

The company said consumer electronics revenue, including iPhones, was flat year-on-year. March revenue reached T$552.1 billion, a record for the month.

Foxconn expects growth in the current quarter compared to both the prior quarter and the same period last year. However, it warned that global political and economic developments require close monitoring, following new U.S. tariffs on Chinese and Taiwanese goods.

WASHINGTON - Worldwide semiconductor sales reached a record $54.9 billion in February, a 17.1% increase from $46.9 billion a year ago, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. Sales slipped 2.9% from January’s $56.5 billion, the trade group added.

“Despite a slight decline in month-to-month sales, the global semiconductor industry hit its highest-ever monthly sales total for the month of February, driving strong year-to-year growth,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, SIA. “Year-to-year sales increased by more than 17% for the 10th consecutive month, driven by a year-to-year sales increase of nearly 50% in the Americas.”

The Americas led growth with a 48.4% year-on-year increase, while other regions including Asia Pacific, China, and Japan also saw gains. Europe recorded an 8.1% decline. The monthly decrease in February sales affected all major markets, with the Americas falling the most at 4.6%.

ATLANTA-- Sales sentiment for electronic components remained stable in March, with the Electronic Component Sales Trend (ECST) index declining 0.7 points sequentially to 112.5, the Electronic Components Industry Association said today.

The forecast for April indicates a slight dip to 111.3, according to the latest ECIA survey.

Despite the minor decrease, industry sentiment remains positive. "The sustained sales momentum is encouraging as 2025 progresses," said ECIA chief analyst Dale Ford. Expectations for component categories in April range closely between 108.4 and 112.9, reinforcing optimism for continued demand.

The ECST survey, conducted monthly and quarterly, tracks short-term industry expectations across the electronics component supply chain. It covers sales trends, product lead times, cancellations, and decommits across major component categories, semiconductor subcategories, and key end markets.