EL SEGUNDO – In the early 2000s, manufacturing capacity shifted abruptly from the high-cost regions of North America and Western Europe to the low-cost nation of China. The second half of the decade has brought a new series of evolutionary and strategic steps for EMS firms that focus on factors beyond labor cost when it comes to selecting a location for production.
BIRMINGHAM, UK – The 40th Annual Nepcon UK show will be held here April 29 - May 1.
The technical program is sponsored by the SMART Group, and lists SMTA among its participants.
SMART Group VP Peter Swanson says the technical presentations from SMTA will be relevant to today’s manufacturing challenges, noting “a long and close synergy between SMTA and SMART Group.”
SAN FRANCISCO – Dell's efforts to turn around its consumer PC business will translate into added competition in the retail channel and put pressure on HP's, Deutsche Bank Equity Research said in a research note today.
During the past four to six quarters, HP has consolidated significant share in consumer PCs as it benefited from international growth, better retail distribution, a solid product line, and Dell's exit from the low end, says DB.
After several quarters of weak consumer PC unit growth, Dell is now aggressively pursuing the indirect consumer channel with a reinvigorated consumer PC line.
DB’s price comparison analysis shows that similarly configured HP and Dell consumer PCs are priced comparably at retail outlets. As such, the combination of improved product design, competitive pricing and its retail distribution initiative should support improving growth in Dell's consumer business during the next several quarters, according to DB.
Although revenue realized from the consumer retail strategy will likely dilute corporate margins, the incremental profit opportunity for Dell is significant and largely incremental to DB’s existing EPS estimates.
TIANJIN, CHINA – Bohai
Electronics Week 2008, the northern China electronics equipment trade show,
will be larger than previous years, with more exhibition space, exhibitors –
and, show organizers hope, visitors.
Show producer Reed Exhibitions says
BEW 2008 will feature 30 % more floor space to accommodate the new segments for
components, SMT, soldering, ESD and test. The 2008 show takes place Nov. 10-12.
Twenty-nine percent of China’s
electronics production comes from the Bohai area.
The 2007 show drew 10% more exhibitor
compared to 2006, hailing from nine countries and regions: the US, the UK,
Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China and Germany, and attracted
3782 visitors, also up 10%, says Reed.