News
The monthly order index compiled by the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association (ECA, Arlington, VA) continued its upward trend in April, marking the ninth month in a row in which the 12-month moving average has risen.
ECA's index is consistent with other recent reports from industries that rely on electronic components. According to the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. electronics and computer production increased 1.1% between February and March; the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reports that March sales rose 4.4% from February to March; and market-research firm IDC predicts that sales of LCD panels will grow by 56% this year, reaching $37 billion.
Bob Willis, ECA president, cites the recent success of the CARTS and EDS trade shows, as well as strong advance registration for the upcoming ECTC event, as additional signs of industry resurgence.
"Companies tend to provide funding for continuing education, professional networking and technical exchange when they perceive that times are good and getting better," said Willis.
The ECA represents manufacturers and producers of passive and active electronic components, component arrays and assemblies, and materials and support services. It is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), comprising more than 2,100 members that represent 80% of the $430 billion U.S. electronics industry.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) has shipped its 800th 93000 System-on-a-Chip (SOC) Series tester. According to the company, this milestone reinforces the market recognition of the series and its value as a single, scalable platform architecture.
"STMicroelectronics was one of our first customers when the 93000 was introduced, so we are pleased to mark this milestone with STMicro's most recent purchase," said Tom Newsom, vice president and general manager of Agilent's SOC Business Unit."
"The Agilent 93000 SOC Series offers support for a broad number of applications, including the fast-growing, price-conscious consumer electronics device market we supply," said Michel Vergniault, test strategy manager, Consumer and Microcontroller Group, STMicroelectronics. "Our continued relationship with Agilent is driven by our ongoing commitment to delivering advanced technology at a competitive price."
The series is designed to meet the demanding performance and cost challenges of SOC testing. Models are configured to span a range of applications that may require ultra-high-speed digital data rates, up to 10 Gb/s, and a range of mixed-signal and RF capabilities.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Cookson Group plc (London, UK) has announced that Raymond Sharpe, chief executive officer of the electronics division, has resigned his position, effective immediately, and will leave the company to take up a position in the private equity sector. Sharpe will join Texas Pacific Group, the equipty firm that recently agreed to buy Isola Laminate Systems.
According to The Financial Times, Sharpe is being brought in to run Isola. On May 12, Isola terminated its CEO, Michael Kowalski, and CFO, Dr. Peter Gaydoul.
Sharpe has agreed with the Board of Cookson to continue to assist the company as required for a short period.
Group chief executive Stephen Howard will assume direct responsibility for the electronics division.
Howard said, "Ray Sharpe has been a valued member of Cookson's executive team for many years and we are sorry to see him go. However, the electronics division benefits from a vastly experienced and highly motivated management team. As announced at the group's meeting on May 14, the strong recovery seen in the electronics division has continued into the second quarter and we are fully confident in our ability to continue to drive that recovery forward."
Cookson Group is a materials technology company that provides materials, processes and services to customers worldwide. The group's operations are formed into three divisions—electronics, ceramics and precious metals. The electronics division is a manufacturer and supplier of materials and services to the electronics industry, primarily serving fabricators and assemblers of printed circuit boards, assemblers of semiconductor packaging and the electrical and industrial markets.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Press Releases
- ViTrox’s HITS 5.0 Empowers Global Partners with Innovative Solutions and Stronger Bonds
- Trilogy-NET Adds Second Vapor Phase Reflow System to Expand High-Precision Manufacturing
- Federal Electronics Invests in HydroJet Inline Cleaning Technology at Hermosillo Facility
- Seika Machinery to Host Webinar on Wireless Strain Measurement for PCB Testing