Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - News

News

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials will reorganize its North American manufacturing operations, shifting some operations from the U.S. to Mexico over the next six to 12 months, the company said today.

The company will close two sites in the U.S. and will build a manufacturing plant in Mexico. It will also relocate its headquarters to another, unspecified site in New Jersey.

YAVNE, ISRAEL – Valor Computerized Systems’ process engineering software has been integrated with Mydata’s placement equipment, the company said today.

The integration aids parts and panel handling, and optimizes machine setup times.

The integration permits direct communication between hardware and software through the use of APIs. Users can create assembly data within Valor’s Trilogy-5000 tool, which are then integrated with Mydata’s own parts and shapes libraries and simulation.

Valor’s software also reads existing machine libraries, jobs and current feeder setup.

TEMPE, AZ -- The manufacturing sector failed to grow in November for the first time in 42 months despite gains in the broader economy. Computer and electronic products was one of eight industries reporting growth in November.

The monthly Institute for Supply Management report, issued today, showed November manufacturing activity fell to its lowest level since April 2003, as the PMI indicator fell to 49.5%. New orders and production both slumped.

The silver lining, said ISM spokesman Norbert Ore was new export order growth, which "continued as the weaker dollar continues to fuel that segment.

SAN FRANCISCO – Manufacturers looking for help on RoHS compliance will want to tune in to the upcoming Assessing and Maintaining Compliance webinar. The free online seminar will take place Dec. 13, 4 p.m. EST. The one-hour presentation will feature Ken Stanvick, senior vice president at Design Chain Associates, presenting on what companies need to do to maintain and demonstrate RoHS compliance; what an RoHS compliance audit really means; what needs to be audited within your company; and why to include suppliers and subcontractors in an audit.

http://www.eptac.com/rohs-weee/business.html

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil Circuit's previously announced assembly factory in the Ukraine will come online next spring, according to several reports.

Circuits Assembly first reported the plans in October.

Construction started on the plant in September. The finished plant will have an 85,000 sq. ft. footprint and employ 1,500 workers.

SALEM, NH - Appli-tec, a provider of adhesives, sealants and encapsulants, has relocated its offices and manufacturing operations to 7 Industrial Way in Salem, NH.

According to President Timothy Walsh, the 20,000 sq. ft. facility increases the company's production area by 50.

Appli-tec has also increased the size of its manufacturing team by 20% in the past six months.

TOKYO -- Panasonic Automotive Systems will launch a Thailand subsidiarynext month, the company said.

The unit will cover Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

"The establishment of the new company as a hub for development, manufacture and sales in Asia will lead to stronger cooperation among the PAS companies, realize global business opportunities and optimize Panasonic's product development and production system," said Toru Nishida, managing director, in a statement.

BEIJING -- Unit shipments of digital cable set-top boxes in China will quadruple to 12 million in 2010, according to research firm InStat.

The nation purchased 3 million STBs in 2005, the firm said.

The Chinese government is pushing cities to switch to digital cable TV from analog and most homes will opt for basic boxes, In-Stat says.

"Most of the digital STB shipment increases will come from basic set-top boxes. Most cable operators provide only basic services, and networks have not yet begun to install two-way networks. [T]hus, operators prefer basic boxes," said analyst Rebecca Tan.

Meanwhile, advanced-box shipments will reach 1.5 million by 2010, InStat said. Total revenue of cable STBs is forecast to reach $586 million by 2010.

RICHARDSON, TX -- TXP Corp. has expanded its facility by 16,488 sq. ft. to accommodate its newly expanded iPhotonics R&D team following the recent hiring of Siemens' former ONT staff.

The now 47,000 sq. ft. plant includes additional warehouse space and a staging area for the TXP's retrofit business.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Phoenix X-Ray, a maker of inspection equipment, has opened a service center in St. Petersburg. The company had announced the new site in February.

The site houses the company's 2D and 3D x-ray inspection equipment, and sales, service and applications engineers.

“Our new service center will offer the complete range of excellent consultation, and application services,“ said Dr. Stefan Becker, director of international sales, in a press statement.

BANGALORE – Brady Corp., a $1 billion OEM of identification equipment and materials, has opened a manufacturing plant at Electronics City in Bangalore.

The plant will make products for use in cellphones and electronics manufacturing.

“The presence in Bangalore allows us to serve our customers better, strengthen key partnerships and extend our reach into the Indian markets,” said Allan Klotsche, Brady vice-president, Asia Pacific region.

WASHINGTON, DC – A task force that includes the National Association of Manufacturers is urging President Bush to include funding for basic research performed by the Department of Defense in his American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI).

“This study illustrates the importance of the Defense Department’s basic research programs to the nation’s economic competitiveness and national security,” said NAM president John Engler.