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EDGEWOOD, NY -- Dynatech Technology, the exclusive US distributor of Samsung SMT assembly equipment, is relocating its corporate headquarters, order processing and logistic operations from Horsham, PA, to Edgewood, NY.
The company will add warehouse and office staff to handle the increased business seen over the past year as well.
The Horsham office will remain open as a regional sales center.
"Shifting our sales support, order entry and warehousing functions to our New York facility allows us to take full advantage of our extensive resources," said Michael Foster, general manager, Dynatech Technology, in a statement. "Our office and warehouse staff has increased threefold with the change. The increased warehouse space, staff and office infrastructure in Edgewood enables us to expand our operation in a single location for faster response time to customer requests in a more efficient manner."
The company will add warehouse and office staff to handle the increased business seen over the past year as well.
The Horsham office will remain open as a regional sales center.
"Shifting our sales support, order entry and warehousing functions to our New York facility allows us to take full advantage of our extensive resources," said Michael Foster, general manager, Dynatech Technology, in a statement. "Our office and warehouse staff has increased threefold with the change. The increased warehouse space, staff and office infrastructure in Edgewood enables us to expand our operation in a single location for faster response time to customer requests in a more efficient manner."
SANTA CLARA, CA – Viking Automation Tools has signed an agreement for the exclusive service and installation rights of Nippon Scientific Co. Ltd.’s semiconductor failure analysis systems in the US, Mexico and Canada. No financial terms of the agreement were disclosed.
NSC manufactures semiconductor failure analysis equipment and has developed equipment from wet and dry IC decapsulation, reactive ion etching, micro-milling and laser IC preparation systems to testing equipment.
Viking is a manufacturing and engineering design company specializing in automation tools.
NSC manufactures semiconductor failure analysis equipment and has developed equipment from wet and dry IC decapsulation, reactive ion etching, micro-milling and laser IC preparation systems to testing equipment.
Viking is a manufacturing and engineering design company specializing in automation tools.
SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $805.4 million in orders in November, down 29% year-over-year, and down about 4% sequentially, says SEMI.
The three-month average of worldwide billings was $807.3 million, down 42% year-over-year and 7% sequentially.
The book-to-bill ratio was 1.0, meaning $100 worth of orders was received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
“The book-to-bill ratio reached parity, as billings have declined sharper than bookings over the past six months,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “2008 is closing with expected declines on the year, which have been further exacerbated by the deepening seismic global economic situation over the past quarter.”
The three-month average of worldwide billings was $807.3 million, down 42% year-over-year and 7% sequentially.
The book-to-bill ratio was 1.0, meaning $100 worth of orders was received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
“The book-to-bill ratio reached parity, as billings have declined sharper than bookings over the past six months,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “2008 is closing with expected declines on the year, which have been further exacerbated by the deepening seismic global economic situation over the past quarter.”
REDMOND, WA – Programming-device maker Data I/O Corp. will buy back up to 1 million of the company’s shares in the coming year.
In 2009, the firm will purchase shares on the open market, in blocks or privately.
Almost 9 million shares are currently outstanding, says Data I/O.
FRAMINGHAM, MA -- The electronics manufacturing services industry is expected to grow 7.8% next year to $313.7 billion, says IDC. This is down slightly from growth of 9.3% in 2008, the research firm says, citing slowing end-market demand for the drop.
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – Jabil Circuit has reportedly opened its second production plant here, according to local reports. However, despite the report, by the Guadalajara Reporter, the company has not made public statements about any expansions.
SAN JOSE -- Flextronics is denying reports it is seeking a buyer for its plant in northwest Shanghai, according to published reports.
Last week, rumors spread that the company, the world's second largest EMS firm, would close up to 12 factories worldwide. In response, Flextronics senior chief director for marketing and communications business in Asia Valeria Kurniawan debunked the rumors, saying that although some cost-cutting measures would be taken, the plants were not on the market.
Flextronics has two large assembly plants in the Shanghai area, one in Malu, in northwest Shanghai, and one in Pudong, across the river from downtown Shanghai.
MADISON, AL – STI Electronics Inc. has relocated to a 54,000 sq. ft. facility here, and plans to host an open house Jan. 29. The firm’s previous facility was 18,000 sq. ft.
STI says it is positioning itself for marked growth in 2009, increasing capabilities in all divisions. Engineering services will include a new SMT line. Training services is adding a third classroom and has plans to hire two additional instructors. Industrial tools and supplies has a new sales manager and three outside sales representatives.
In the analytical/failure analysis lab, STI has added a RADWAG MXA-5 microbalance, and has almost doubled the size of its Class 1000 cleanroom, which now included conformal coating capabilities.
STI plans to implement additional equipment and add capabilities and staff throughout 2009.
STI says it is positioning itself for marked growth in 2009, increasing capabilities in all divisions. Engineering services will include a new SMT line. Training services is adding a third classroom and has plans to hire two additional instructors. Industrial tools and supplies has a new sales manager and three outside sales representatives.
In the analytical/failure analysis lab, STI has added a RADWAG MXA-5 microbalance, and has almost doubled the size of its Class 1000 cleanroom, which now included conformal coating capabilities.
STI plans to implement additional equipment and add capabilities and staff throughout 2009.
SMYRNA, GA – UP Media Group Inc. announced the addition of Sunstone Circuits and Intercept Technology to the list of industry companies that have signed on to exhibit at Virtual PCB, the industry's only virtual trade show and conference for the PCB design, fabrication and assembly markets.
Now in its second year, Virtual PCB takes place Feb. 24-25.
Among the other companies exhibiting to date are Agilent Technologies, Bare Board Group, BTU International, DownStream Technologies, EKRA, Mentor Graphics, Miyachi Unitek and Valor Computerized Systems.
Virtual PCB, which drew 2,400 registrants to its premiere, offers complete, real-time tracking of attendees, product demos and a technical conference supplemented by the Surface Mount Technology Association, and features a host of experts.
"Despite the economy, or perhaps because of it, sophisticated companies are looking for additional high-impact ways of reaching the market. Over-sized, over-priced and over-scaled trade shows are being abandoned in favor of more targeted, economical and higher impact avenues," according to Circuits Assembly Editor-in-Chief Mike Buetow. "Be it Web or trade show marketing, there simply is no better ROI than Virtual PCB."
A fully interactive, Web-based event, Virtual PCB incorporates all the critical features of a live event, while allowing PCB design, fabrication and assembly equipment and materials buyers and sellers to interact online. Virtual PCB is supported by a proven software platform and will be accessible on-demand for two months following the two-day live event.
For more information, visit www.virtual-pcb.com or contact Alyson Skarbek at askarbek@upmediagroup.com.
TAIPEI – The head of Foxconn Technologies today announced layoffs of up to 5% of its worldwide workforce, citing the economic environment.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil Circuit today reported flat fiscal first-quarter revenues of $3.4 billion, while preliminary GAAP operating income plunged 21% from last year to $77.7 million.
SAN JOSE – Slowing demand for PCs and cellphones will stall the semiconductor industry recovery, a group of analysts predicted during SIA’s 2009 forecast Thursday.
The group of prognosticators asserted 2009 sales will be bleak relative to historical standards, with consolidation possible on the equipment side.
Among the bears was VLSI Research senior economist Aida Jebens, who forecasts a 6.9% drop in IC sales next year. “Growth will be flat, if not negative. Moreover, pricing pressure will flatten revenues even if unit shipments grow, she said.
VLSI’s price index shows ICs in “ really bad shape,” Jebens said.
Advanced Forecasting CEO Moshe Handelsman says worldwide IC revenues fell 2% in 2008, and predicts a larger decline for 2009.
Dale Ford, senior vice president, marketing intelligence at iSuppli Corp., says shipments will be down 4 to 5% for 2008 and will worsen next year. This deep decline should turn around in late 2009 to early 2010, he says, then rebound in 2010.
Calling 2009 a “year of austerity,” Infrastructure director of research Carl Johnson sees “unheard of declines” for components for PCs, which could be down 50% during the first half.
The analysts agreed inventories could become a problem in the coming year as OEMs pull back orders.
Slowing End Demand
Most see slowing demand for electronics. VLSI predicts an overall drop of 2.6% year-over-year in 2009, with PC shipments growing 3 to 5%, but negative growth for cellphones.
SEMI, meanwhile, says the notoriously cyclical semiconductor equipment market will fall 21% in 2009, following 2008’s 28% year-over-year drop.
Bookings and sales could fall to 2003-03 levels, pegging the overall capital spending at $22 billion. Equipment represents 12% of device revenue, “an all-time low,” says Lara Chamness, senior market analyst, industry research and statistics.
IC and related manufacturing equipment will be down 24.7%, VLSI predicts. iSuppli’s Ford thinks PCs will show modest growth, while flat-screen LCDs will be flat.
The overall economy will grow, but sluggishly. Ford projects GDP growth of 2.2% in 2009, noting some foresee a decline.
Infrastructure’s Johnson predicts a “big shakeout” in the industry. “It will be survival of the fittest. The longevity of the business model is really important right now.”
Whether governments will intercede remains unknown, but is a potentially huge factor. “At some point for the semiconductor industry, the government will take on a role, but that role is a significant unknown right now,” says Ford. “And it won’t be the same role globally. We will deal with trade issues and run the risk of trade wars.”
“Wall Street will not be the solution,” he added. “That door has closed.”
But they agreed that with much of the foundry work now in Asia, the pressure will be on foreign governments, particularly in Asia, to make decisions on bailouts.
Semiconductors have a future in photovoltaics, one area that has seen outside investment, but that sector too will be tied to government subsidies. As Ford says, “As energy prices come down, there will be less willingness to invest in alternative energy solutions.” Johnson agrees, stating photovoltaics would be a longer-term play. “The reality is we’re sitting on the solar business; the tree will shake, and the semiconductor business has a role to play in this.”
