YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY – IBM and Purdue University researchers have discovered tiny silicon nanowires might be ideal for manufacturing in computers and consumer electronics because the structures repeatedly form the same way.
 
According to a Purdue spokesperson, the researchers used a transmission electron microscope to observe nanowires made of nucleate. Silicon nanowires form from gold nanoparticles ranging in size from 10 to 40 nm.
 
This is the first time researchers have made such precise measurements of the nucleation process in nanowires, a participating researcher said, according to published reports.
 
The researchers studied silicon; however, the findings could be applied to manufacturing nanowires made from other semiconducting materials, published reports say.
 
Nanowires could aid the semiconductor industry’s ongoing need to place more transistors in smaller spaces. The challenge will be to replace gold with other metals used in electronics, according to the researchers.
 
The National Science Foundation is funding the program. 

TAIPEI – The board of Hon Hai Precision Industry, the parent company of Foxconn Technologies, approved a proposal to raise $363 million by issuing unsecured corporate bonds in an effort to build cash.
 
A firm spokesperson said the company would use the money to increase its operating capital and cash turnover ratio.
 
In terms of volume, this is the firm’s largest capital raising case in two years. Hon Hai put up $545 million then by issuing domestic corporate bonds.
 
Hon Hai is the world’s largest EMS/ODM company, with annual revenues of more than $60 billion. However, through September, the firm had about $306 million in cash, down from the $351 million at the end of June.
 

MUNICH -- German electronic components and systems sales are expected to fall 1% in 2009, according to a forecast issued this week the ZVEI trade group.

Read more ...

MADISON, AL — STI Electronics has been recognized as one of the 5000 fastest growing privately held companies by Inc. Magazine.

The EMS company ranks 4,675 on the 2008 “Inc. 5000” list.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees and customers of STI. Without you, none of this would be possible,” said David Raby, president and CEO in a statement.

Inc. Magazine's annual list ranks the country’s fastest-growing private companies.

STI builds PCBs and provides training, consulting, laboratory analysis, among other services.

ARLINGTON, VA — PCs are not children's products, a trio of industry trade groups told the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and new rules governing materials used in electronics should not be extended to PCs.

Commenting on the recently enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the Information Technology Industry Council, Consumer Electronics Association and IPC argued the new requirements limiting the use of phthalates and lead in products intended for children suffer from a "lack of clarity." 

Read more ...

ROUND ROCK, TX -- Kevin Kettler, chief technology officer of Dell Inc., plans to step down in January, the company said on Wednesday.

Kettler, who has spent 13 years with Dell, is leaving for family and other interests.

Kettler will leave the company in mid-January, the company said.

NEW YORK — The financial turmoil will dampen worldwide technology spending in 2009, according to research firm IDC. However, the lack of a tech "bubble" will hasten the rebound, the firm predicts.

The research firm revised its growth outlook for worldwide IT spending to 2.6%, down from an August forecast of 5.9%. The firm's US spending outlook was slashed to 0.9%, down from 4.2%, while Japan and Western Europe will grow around 1%.

Read more ...

NEWARK, NY – EMS provider IEC Electronics Corp. said fourth-quarter 2008 revenue was $16.1 million, up 40.4% year-over-year.
 
Net Income for the quarter, including a tax benefit, was $8.5 million, up 97% year-over-year.
 
Operating income was $1 million (6.3% of sales), up 86% compared to the same quarter of 2007.
 
For fiscal year 2008, IEC had revenue of $51.1 million, up 20% compared to full-year 2007. Net income before taxes was $1.6 million, up 69% year-over-year.
 
IEC added eight new customers this year, including three in the past quarter. Three of the new customers are in the aerospace sector, two in the military sector, two in the industrial sector, and one in medical.
 
In a press release, IEC said, “Despite the recessionary outlook for the economy, we expect strong growth in sales and earnings in fiscal 2009, as our customers, particularly in the military and aerospace sector, are cautiously optimistic and because we expect to realize enhanced operating margins from productivity gains and from our interconnect subsidiary.”
 

Cleveland, OH – Jergens Inc., a manufacturer of standard tooling components, vises and other workholding equipment, has acquired Bock Workholding Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
 
Bock, with headquarters in Ford City, PA, and sales partners in Europe, Asia and Australia, is a manufacturer and distributor of workholding solutions designed to improve the productivity of vertical and horizontal machining centers and flexible manufacturing cells.
 

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY -- Kitron, a top 50 global electronics manufacturing services company, reported third-quarter revenue of NOK 483.7 million, up 24% over 2007. The net profit rose nearly 14 times to NOK 95,000.

Read more ...