News
ARLINGTON, VA -- Factory-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics are projected to top $155 billion in 2007, up 7%, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
"We're on track for another year of healthy growth," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We surpassed original projections for the second year in a row, and the industry outlook is proof-positive Americans can't do without their beloved consumer electronics."
CE sales hit $145 billion in 2006, up 13%, the CEA said. 2006's results topped the CEA's initial forecast of 8% growth.
CEA predicts displays will continue to fuel industry growth in 2007. "The TV market is setting all-time revenue records. CRT-based sets are giving way to flat panel displays," CEA said, forecasting $22 billion in revenue. Flat panel displays are expected to ship a combined 19 million units.
Holiday sales of game consoles will lift revenues 23% to $16 billion in 2007. MP3 players will account for 90% of the $6 billion portable entertainment market, with unit sales rising to 41 million from 34 million last year.
Shipments of portable navigation and GPS devices reached 2 million units in 2006, up 66%, and are expected to top 3 million units this year, good for $1 billion in revenues.
In 2006, shipment volumes of laptops eclipsed desktops. CE accessory sales also will grow in 2007, to the tune of $11 billion, in large part due to an overall consumer emphasis on portability. Total digital imaging shipments are expected to exceed 32 million units, with revenues projected to reach $8 billion, making 2006 and 2007 the best revenue years for this category.
"We're on track for another year of healthy growth," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We surpassed original projections for the second year in a row, and the industry outlook is proof-positive Americans can't do without their beloved consumer electronics."
CE sales hit $145 billion in 2006, up 13%, the CEA said. 2006's results topped the CEA's initial forecast of 8% growth.
CEA predicts displays will continue to fuel industry growth in 2007. "The TV market is setting all-time revenue records. CRT-based sets are giving way to flat panel displays," CEA said, forecasting $22 billion in revenue. Flat panel displays are expected to ship a combined 19 million units.
Holiday sales of game consoles will lift revenues 23% to $16 billion in 2007. MP3 players will account for 90% of the $6 billion portable entertainment market, with unit sales rising to 41 million from 34 million last year.
Shipments of portable navigation and GPS devices reached 2 million units in 2006, up 66%, and are expected to top 3 million units this year, good for $1 billion in revenues.
In 2006, shipment volumes of laptops eclipsed desktops. CE accessory sales also will grow in 2007, to the tune of $11 billion, in large part due to an overall consumer emphasis on portability. Total digital imaging shipments are expected to exceed 32 million units, with revenues projected to reach $8 billion, making 2006 and 2007 the best revenue years for this category.
SANTA CLARA, CA — Direct Logix and the AberdeenGroup are surveying EDA end-users on software-assisted engineering products. The survey aims to understand how end-users use available software in designs, and to discover whether the available tools meet their needs.
Results will be gathered and formulated into a report by the AberdeenGroup in late January. Visit http://www.aberdeen.com/survey/eda-dlogix/ to participate in the survey.
Results will be gathered and formulated into a report by the AberdeenGroup in late January. Visit http://www.aberdeen.com/survey/eda-dlogix/ to participate in the survey.
CARLSBAD, CA – Asymtek has sold its 1,000th Century series conformal coating unit, the company announced.
The machine went to Siemens A&D for its Erlangen, Germany, plant.
Siemens purchased the Century C-740 series selective conformal coater, Asymtek said.
The machine went to Siemens A&D for its Erlangen, Germany, plant.
Siemens purchased the Century C-740 series selective conformal coater, Asymtek said.
BOSTON – Innov-X, a maker of x-ray equipment, has received a $27 million investment from Summit Partners.
Innov-X develops portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology for elemental analysis. The firm has offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Its products use XRF to determine the chemical composition of substances used in manufacturing, compliance, and oil and gas formulation.
BRUGGE, BELGIUM -- Jabil Circuit's production facility here will be liquidated later this month. The EMS firm leased the 116,000 sq. ft. facility, which also formerly housed a design center.
Jabil's lines at the site included DEK printers; Assembleon, Universal and Fuji placement equipment; and Vitronics soldering equipment.
The company said last fall it would shutter a few scattered sites.
Ten of the displaced workers were hired last month by IPTE NV to beef up its test automation programs for LCD TV, telecom equipment and automotive electronics.
Jabil's lines at the site included DEK printers; Assembleon, Universal and Fuji placement equipment; and Vitronics soldering equipment.
The company said last fall it would shutter a few scattered sites.
Ten of the displaced workers were hired last month by IPTE NV to beef up its test automation programs for LCD TV, telecom equipment and automotive electronics.
SAN JOSE -- EMS giant Sanmina-SCI's problems continued in the September quarter as earnings fell by $20 million on a 1.8% drop in revenue, to $2.71 billion. The company reported a net loss of $28.1 million, down from a loss of $8 million a year ago.
For fiscal 2006, revenues decreased 6.6% to $11 billion on weakness in its computing businesses, for which sales to existing customers fell $772 million. Other decreases included a $262 million drop in enclosures sales and a $186 million fall in storage systems. The net loss fell to $141.6 million, from a loss of $1.03 billion in fiscal 2005.
For fiscal 2006, revenues decreased 6.6% to $11 billion on weakness in its computing businesses, for which sales to existing customers fell $772 million. Other decreases included a $262 million drop in enclosures sales and a $186 million fall in storage systems. The net loss fell to $141.6 million, from a loss of $1.03 billion in fiscal 2005.
