News
AMSTERDAM -- Greenpeace wants electronics companies to clean up their acts.
The activist environmental protection organization this week released its study of the "green credentials" of the top electronics OEMs. Ranked on their use of toxic chemicals and electronic waste (e-waste) policies, Dell and Nokia scored highest -- albeit a "barely respectable" 7 out of 10 -- while Apple, Motorola and Lenovo finished at the bottom of the class. The average score for the 14 companies reviewed was 4 of 10.
The activist environmental protection organization this week released its study of the "green credentials" of the top electronics OEMs. Ranked on their use of toxic chemicals and electronic waste (e-waste) policies, Dell and Nokia scored highest -- albeit a "barely respectable" 7 out of 10 -- while Apple, Motorola and Lenovo finished at the bottom of the class. The average score for the 14 companies reviewed was 4 of 10.
JACKSON, MI -- EMS firm Sparton Corp. reported net sales of $50.5 million for its fourth quarter ended June 30, up 9.6% over last year. Net income fell 95% to $468,000
from $4.94 million last year.
BEIJING -- The Chinese government ordered Foxconn's Shenzhen EMS site to create a union for workers this year, according to the Beijing News today.
Shenzhen officials have reportedly told Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry, the local name of the Foxconn plant, to set up a union by the end of this year, the paper said.
Shenzhen officials have reportedly told Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry, the local name of the Foxconn plant, to set up a union by the end of this year, the paper said.
CHICAGO -- In its annual world
outlook for commercial airplanes, Boeing predicts a 6.1% annual increase in air cargo traffic over the next 20 years. Coupled with higher fuel costs, that suggests cargo rates will continue to fly higher in coming years.
The world's largest maker of planes also predicts passenger traffic to increase 4.9% a year through 2025.
The company said worldwide air freighter fleet will nearly double over the next 20 years to 3,560 airplanes, from 1,790.
The world's largest maker of planes also predicts passenger traffic to increase 4.9% a year through 2025.
The company said worldwide air freighter fleet will nearly double over the next 20 years to 3,560 airplanes, from 1,790.
TAIPEI -- Hon Hai Precision Industry, the trading name of Foxconn, reported second-quarter earnings rose 32% over a year ago and 18% sequentially, according to media reports.
The company showed a net profit of $388 million (T$12.77 billion) for the quarter ended June, according to Reuters. That compares to a profit of roughly $328 million (T$9.98 billion) in the March quarter.
The company showed a net profit of $388 million (T$12.77 billion) for the quarter ended June, according to Reuters. That compares to a profit of roughly $328 million (T$9.98 billion) in the March quarter.
LOUISVILLE -- A federal bankruptcy judge turned down Sypris Solutions' request for quick decision by its top customer on whether to continue its supply
contracts with Sypris.
Dana Corp., which makes auto parts, is said to be Sypris' largest customer, having purchased more than $120 million in parts in 2005.
The company filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection in March, however, and Sypris
was seeking for the court to order Dana to render a decision on whether to keep the
supply contracts by Oct. 3.
According to the ruling, by contract Sypris can prevent Dana from buying those parts from another
manufacturer through 2014.
NEW YORK -- Private equity firm Francisco Partners has purchased Vitronics and Universal Instruments, Circuits Assembly has learned.
An announcement is expected later today. Terms were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to normal closing conditions and regulatory approval.
Privately held Francisco focuses on investments in technology and related services businesses.
An announcement is expected later today. Terms were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to normal closing conditions and regulatory approval.
Privately held Francisco focuses on investments in technology and related services businesses.
NEW YORK -- Sales of benchtop SMT equipment for low-volume, high-mix production has been on a steady rise, says Frost & Sullivan in a new report.
The research firm says revenues for the equipment would rise to $363.7 million in 2012, from $152.4 million in 2005.
“Being an intensely competitive and fast-paced industry, electronics relies on constant innovation and improvement of its products to sustain interest among customers,” said analyst Deepa Mathew. “SMT benchtop equipment plays a crucial role by providing a high degree of flexibility and desired performance to suit low-volume, high-mix production requirements.”
The research firm says revenues for the equipment would rise to $363.7 million in 2012, from $152.4 million in 2005.
“Being an intensely competitive and fast-paced industry, electronics relies on constant innovation and improvement of its products to sustain interest among customers,” said analyst Deepa Mathew. “SMT benchtop equipment plays a crucial role by providing a high degree of flexibility and desired performance to suit low-volume, high-mix production requirements.”
NEW YORK — Automotive telematics and navigation — including hardware and services — will experience strong growth in several world regions, generating in total revenues of $38.3 billion in 2011, according to a new study by ABI Research.
"Telematics and navigation systems are converging," says transportation research associate Steve Bae.
"Telematics and navigation systems are converging," says transportation research associate Steve Bae.
SAN JOSE -- A
top predictor of the turning points in the IC industry is predicting a mild
slowdown in semiconductor sales in mid 2007.
Moshe Handelsman, founder of Advanced Forecasting, told an industry forum last week that the industry is in for its first downturn since 2004. However, he declined to attach hard numbers to his prediction.
HOUSTON — BP Microsystems, a device programming systems supplier, is changing its name and relocating headquarters. The company will now be known as BPM Microsystems.
“Our company has long been the leader in the manufacture of semiconductor programming equipment,” said Lyman Brown, vice president and COO. “Our new name will reflect the same high-quality company that customers and the industry alike have depended on for the past 21 years. However, we look forward to no longer being confused with BP Amoco, the oil company, who also has its headquarters in Houston.”.
The name change is effective as of Aug.28, and will coincide with the opening of its new headquarters building in Houston.
BPM Microsystems is now located at 5373 West Sam Houston Pkwy N, Suite 250 Houston, TX, 77041-5160. The new Website is: bpmmicro.com.
“Our company has long been the leader in the manufacture of semiconductor programming equipment,” said Lyman Brown, vice president and COO. “Our new name will reflect the same high-quality company that customers and the industry alike have depended on for the past 21 years. However, we look forward to no longer being confused with BP Amoco, the oil company, who also has its headquarters in Houston.”.
The name change is effective as of Aug.28, and will coincide with the opening of its new headquarters building in Houston.
BPM Microsystems is now located at 5373 West Sam Houston Pkwy N, Suite 250 Houston, TX, 77041-5160. The new Website is: bpmmicro.com.
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL – The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) has release the program for the 24th Space Simulation Conference. The conference will be held Nov. 6–9, in Annapolis, Maryland. Technical sessions run from Nov. 7–9 and are preceded by tutorials on Nov. 6.
The conference is an international forum in space hardware environmental testing for R&D and qualification. It provides an opportunity for engineers, technicians and scientists from industry, government and academia to present and exchange information and ideas on simulating the space environment to develop and test space mission hardware.
Tutorials will include Cryogenic Handling and Safety; Advance Leak Checking Techniques; Vibration Isolation in Space Simulation; and Acoustic Testing on Demand. The technical program will have sessions on Data Acquisition and Analyses; Contamination; New Capabilities and Facilities; Thermal Vacuum Testing; Simulations and Special Topic; and Structural Dynamics Testing.
The conference is co-sponsored by NASA, AIAA, ASTM, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL).
The conference is an international forum in space hardware environmental testing for R&D and qualification. It provides an opportunity for engineers, technicians and scientists from industry, government and academia to present and exchange information and ideas on simulating the space environment to develop and test space mission hardware.
Tutorials will include Cryogenic Handling and Safety; Advance Leak Checking Techniques; Vibration Isolation in Space Simulation; and Acoustic Testing on Demand. The technical program will have sessions on Data Acquisition and Analyses; Contamination; New Capabilities and Facilities; Thermal Vacuum Testing; Simulations and Special Topic; and Structural Dynamics Testing.
The conference is co-sponsored by NASA, AIAA, ASTM, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL).
Visit spacesimcon.org for more information, or iest.org/technical/ssc/ssc.htm for online registration.
Press Releases
- SP Manufacturing Brings World-Class EMS Expertise to MD&M East 2025; Jackson Tan Comments
- Aligned Solutions Announces Leadership Transition: Bryce Timms to Succeed Mike Young in Ohio, Kentucky, Western PA; Jim Rittma Comments
- SASinno Americas Expands Product Portfolio with Private-Labeled Purex Fume Extraction Systems; Mike Young Comments
- DISTRON CORPORATION Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary of Test Engineering Manager Richard Guerin