News
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Seagate Technology in the first quarter
bolstered its lead in the hard disk drive market amid
stronger-than-expected demand throughout the industry, according to iSuppli Corp.
“Global HDD shipments amounted to 101.7 million units in the first quarter of 2006, up 16.5% from 87.3 million units during the same period of 2005. iSuppli had predicted growth of 15.4 percent,” said Krishna Chander, senior storage analyst for iSuppli.
“Shipments declined by 1.7% compared to 103.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2005. However, HDD sales typically decrease sequentially in the first quarter following the peak holiday period during the fourth quarter. The stronger-than-expected HDD sales in the first quarter were driven by demand from the mobile-PC and consumer-electronics markets."
“Global HDD shipments amounted to 101.7 million units in the first quarter of 2006, up 16.5% from 87.3 million units during the same period of 2005. iSuppli had predicted growth of 15.4 percent,” said Krishna Chander, senior storage analyst for iSuppli.
“Shipments declined by 1.7% compared to 103.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2005. However, HDD sales typically decrease sequentially in the first quarter following the peak holiday period during the fourth quarter. The stronger-than-expected HDD sales in the first quarter were driven by demand from the mobile-PC and consumer-electronics markets."
BRUSSELS -- The EU is soliciting comments on its New Approach Consultation paper,
which covers CE mark requirements, among other things.
The U.S. Department of Commerce plans on submitting comments and encourages affected companies to do the same, said Bob Straetz of the Commerce Department's Office of the European Union. "Anyone who has to meet CE mark requirements on a regular basis might be interested in seeing this report. The last five pages of the 51-page document discuss possible revisions to the CE mark program. "
Comments are due July 26.
The U.S. Department of Commerce plans on submitting comments and encourages affected companies to do the same, said Bob Straetz of the Commerce Department's Office of the European Union. "Anyone who has to meet CE mark requirements on a regular basis might be interested in seeing this report. The last five pages of the 51-page document discuss possible revisions to the CE mark program. "
Comments are due July 26.
ATLANTA – Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems has inked a deal under which Northtouch/Comtree will represent Siemens in Canada, effective immediately.
In a press statement, David Intson, Siemens Canada sales manager for the Electronics Assembly Systems division, said, “This new relationship will provide Siemens with enhanced customer access to the Canadian electronics industry. While Northtouch/Comtree have been highly successful for many years in providing advanced SMT assembly solutions to the Canadian market; Siemens has been very successful in penetrating new accounts with leading edge SMT placement solutions for NPI, high-mix and high-volume applications. The joining of these organizations will result in enhanced customer focus and continued growth of SMT placement solutions for the Canadian market.”
Siemens Energy and Automation Inc. represents Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) in the U.S. Its parent company, Siemens AG, is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Siemens has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people in the U.S.
In a press statement, David Intson, Siemens Canada sales manager for the Electronics Assembly Systems division, said, “This new relationship will provide Siemens with enhanced customer access to the Canadian electronics industry. While Northtouch/Comtree have been highly successful for many years in providing advanced SMT assembly solutions to the Canadian market; Siemens has been very successful in penetrating new accounts with leading edge SMT placement solutions for NPI, high-mix and high-volume applications. The joining of these organizations will result in enhanced customer focus and continued growth of SMT placement solutions for the Canadian market.”
Siemens Energy and Automation Inc. represents Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) in the U.S. Its parent company, Siemens AG, is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Siemens has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people in the U.S.
ATLANTA – Siemens Automation and Drives has acquired 3D AOI
maker Opto-Control Elektronik Prufsysteme GmbH, effective July 5.
Opto-Control’s inspection systems are fully automated and use 3-D sensor to detect solder or placement defects. The newly expanded Siplace portfolio combines these AOI systems from Opto-Control with Siemens SMT placement machines, enabling customers to better implement the high process reliability requirements of electronics manufacturing, the company said.
The Opto-Control business will be integrated into the Optical Solutions (OI) unit of Siemens’ Electronics Assembly Systems division. Siemens said it wants to significantly expand its system with fully automated 3-D inspection systems in the future.
SALT LAKE CITY -- EMS provider CirTran Corp. today said it projects reporting a 30% increase in sales for its second quarter of fiscal 2006.
Iehab J. Hawatmeh, CirTran's founder, president and CEO, said that the company is projecting sales of approximately $2.2 million for the period ended June 30, up from $1.7 million for the first quarter.
Iehab J. Hawatmeh, CirTran's founder, president and CEO, said that the company is projecting sales of approximately $2.2 million for the period ended June 30, up from $1.7 million for the first quarter.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- Electronics manufacturing services firm SigmaTron International reported revenues for its 2006 fiscal year ended April 30 increased
32.3% to $124.8 million. Net income fell 60% to $1.9 million for the year.
Fourth quarter revenues increased 52% to $34.5 million.
President and chief executive Gary R. Fairhead said, "Although we remained profitable in fiscal 2006, we were disappointed that our profits this year declined in comparison to the prior three-years' results. While the acquisition of Able Electronics in July of 2005 negatively impacted our fiscal 2006 results, we believe Able will strengthen our long-term position by diversifying our customer base, growing our international footprint and improving our operations."
Fourth quarter revenues increased 52% to $34.5 million.
President and chief executive Gary R. Fairhead said, "Although we remained profitable in fiscal 2006, we were disappointed that our profits this year declined in comparison to the prior three-years' results. While the acquisition of Able Electronics in July of 2005 negatively impacted our fiscal 2006 results, we believe Able will strengthen our long-term position by diversifying our customer base, growing our international footprint and improving our operations."
During fiscal 2006, sales increased in industrial electronics, life sciences, semiconductor and appliances, primarily due to sales to new customers as a result of the Able acquisition. The increase in sales was partially offset by price reductions, and the company expects pricing pressures will continue in fiscal 2007. Sales in the gaming industry decreased during the year mainly due to the sale of the company's Las Vegas operation, in May 2005.
Selling and administrative expenses for the periods ended April
30, 2006 and 2005 were $10.9 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
In fiscal 2006, selling and administrative expenses represented 8.8%
of net sales compared to 10.7% of net sales in fiscal
2005.
Each of the company's operations is now certified to produce RoHS-compliant assemblies.
Fairhead said revenue grew at its Elk Grove Village site, and the company will study possible expansion of its Acuna, Mexico, location
(already the firm's largest). The firm's Tijuana, Mexico, location was not profitable in
fiscal 2006, but SigmaTron has added staff, increased operational space and is in the process of relocating several customers to that facility.
SAN JOSE -- Sanmina-SCI pre-announced its fiscal third quarter revenue to be $2.71 billion versus previouslguidance of $2.7 to $2.8 billion.
Sanmina said that excluding one-time items, it expects earnings of six to seven cents a share, down from previous guidance of eight to 10 cents.
The EMS provider blamed the shortfall on a less favorable product mix, less-than-expected profitability in computing, and slower than anticipated improvement in the enclosures.
Strength in communications infrastructure products is being offset by soft sales in military/aerospace and computing, wrote Deutsche Bank analyst Carter Shoop in a research note.
Chairman and chief executive Jure Sola said, "While we are disappointed that our financial results for the fiscal third quarter fell short of our expectations, we believe we have taken the steps necessary to improve on our execution. The market conditions continue to improve and we feel that our short and long-term business model remains intact."
The company also cited poor execution at its Asia PCB plants and restructuring inefficiencies at its facility in Toledo, Spain.
Absolute inventory dollars rose sequentially despite previous expectations of a decline. Shoop estimates third-quarter inventory turns fell from 8.6 times in the second quarter.
On a conference call, Sanmina management said that the fourth quarter will be "hopefully a little bit” better sequentially.
Sanmina said that excluding one-time items, it expects earnings of six to seven cents a share, down from previous guidance of eight to 10 cents.
The EMS provider blamed the shortfall on a less favorable product mix, less-than-expected profitability in computing, and slower than anticipated improvement in the enclosures.
Strength in communications infrastructure products is being offset by soft sales in military/aerospace and computing, wrote Deutsche Bank analyst Carter Shoop in a research note.
Chairman and chief executive Jure Sola said, "While we are disappointed that our financial results for the fiscal third quarter fell short of our expectations, we believe we have taken the steps necessary to improve on our execution. The market conditions continue to improve and we feel that our short and long-term business model remains intact."
The company also cited poor execution at its Asia PCB plants and restructuring inefficiencies at its facility in Toledo, Spain.
Absolute inventory dollars rose sequentially despite previous expectations of a decline. Shoop estimates third-quarter inventory turns fell from 8.6 times in the second quarter.
On a conference call, Sanmina management said that the fourth quarter will be "hopefully a little bit” better sequentially.
LOS ANGELES -- P. Kay Metal Inc. has announced its initial distribution chain for the company's MS2 molten solder surfactant.
MS2 is sold through a combination of direct sales and sales representative companies in North America, and through stocking distributors in South America, Europe and Asia.
"To introduce our revolutionary dross elimination technology to the industry, we've chosen to partner with companies that are highly respected by their customers," said Larry Kay, president. "And in many cases, they also represent assembly technology and wave soldering machines such as Vitronics-Soltec, Electrovert and others."
Appointed were:
The company expects to announce additional distributors and representatives within the next two months.
MS2 is sold through a combination of direct sales and sales representative companies in North America, and through stocking distributors in South America, Europe and Asia.
"To introduce our revolutionary dross elimination technology to the industry, we've chosen to partner with companies that are highly respected by their customers," said Larry Kay, president. "And in many cases, they also represent assembly technology and wave soldering machines such as Vitronics-Soltec, Electrovert and others."
Appointed were:
- OS-Tech: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oregon and Washington.
- Electri-Rep Inc.: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Southern Illinois. B&L Technologies, Inc.: New York State.
- Phoenix United Associates: Long Island, Metro New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Phoenix Marketing Representatives: Arizona, New Mexico, and Nogales, Mexico. Foresite, Inc.: Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.
- Mar-Tec: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
- Wong's Kong King: Asia (Hong Kong, Philippines, China, Malaysia and Singapore).
- Hitech Electronica Industrial e Comercial: Brazil
- Adtool Corp.: Canada.
The company expects to announce additional distributors and representatives within the next two months.
HEREDIA, COSTA RICA -- Specialty Coating Systems has opened an 8,000-sq. ft. facility in Heredia, Costa Rica.
The company will make conformal coating at the plant, its tenth location worldwide.
The company called the site a natural choice as many international companies find attractive the country’s location, workforce and access to growing markets — including electronics and medical devices.
The company will make conformal coating at the plant, its tenth location worldwide.
The company called the site a natural choice as many international companies find attractive the country’s location, workforce and access to growing markets — including electronics and medical devices.
HOUSTON – BP Microsystems today announced that it has shipped the first two units of its Helix Integrated Programming System, its latest automated device programmer.
Helix is a desktop automated system designed to handle a range of packages including MSOP, SOIC, PLCC, SSOP and TSSOP.
BOSTON -- Based on recent increases in demand for air freight, the peak shipping season is about to be underway, a major logistics provider said today. Rates are expected to climb accordingly, said Trans Global Logistics in a bulletin to customers.
In several key regions, demand for air freight began to build in early July. Shippers are expected to begin ramping volumes later this month and in August.
In several key regions, demand for air freight began to build in early July. Shippers are expected to begin ramping volumes later this month and in August.
STRAMBINO, ITALY -- Test equipment maker Seica SpA has completed construction of a factory at its headquarters near Turin, Italy.
The 1300 sq. meter addition nearly doubles the company's previous capacity. The addition includes demo and training rooms.
The 1300 sq. meter addition nearly doubles the company's previous capacity. The addition includes demo and training rooms.
Press Releases
- Indium Corporation to Showcase Sustainable Solutions for Power Electronics at PCIM
- Kubler US Corp. Expands to Texas and Surrounding States with FHP Reps
- Indium Corporation Experts to Present on High-Temperature, Lead-Free Solder Paste and High Reliability Liquid Metal Alloys Poster at ECTC
- Altus Adds PVA's Game Changing PathMaster X Software to Portfolio