ENDICOTT, NY – Endicott Interconnect Technologies inked a manufacturing alliance with Cartel Electronics, matching the former’s technological prowess with the latter’s quickturn PWB services.
EI, the IBM manufacturing arm spinoff, specializes in PCB design, fabrication, assembly and test, and chip packaging. Cartel focuses on quickturn prototypes and small production runs from its base in Southern California. The companies did not disclose further details, including financial arrangements.
Combined, the companies have sales totaling more than $600 million, with over 2,000 employees and 250 engineers.
Elite Sales International will be the exclusive sales representative, providing customer service and sales to both companies
ARLINGTON, VA -- The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI today predicted US manufacturing will likely decline for the next one to two quarters, based on a recent survey of manufacturing executives.
The research firm's quarterly survey found the manufacturing index has slipped to 21, well below the baseline of 50 that represents an industry in recovery.
In a statement, MA/MAPI chief economist Dr. Daniel J. Meckstroth said, “Manufacturing production declined 1.7% in March and was down 15% from one year ago. The manufacturing recession remains widespread with 18 of the 20 major manufacturing industries declining in March and all 20 industries showing current production levels that are substantially below that of one year ago."
The firm did detect a shift in the slowdown of late, and indicated there is hope for growth by fall.
"Although virtually every manufacturing industry is declining, the vortex of the recessionary tornado seems to be moving from consumer durables to business equipment and metals," Meckstroth said. "The extremely low factory utilization rate -- 65.8% in March -- and widespread slack in the service sector takes away the need for capacity expanding machinery and equipment. Metals are paying the price of destocking."
The economists consensus is that real first-quarter GDP growth will decline at an annual rate in the 4 to 6% range but manufacturing production fell 22.5% annualized on a sequential basis, Meckstroth said. "Recent reports on retail sales, housing activity, and auto sales offer hope that the economy and the industrial sector is forming a bottom and the worst of this recession occurred in the first quarter. We expect the pace of the industrial decline to be much slower going forward and anticipate a return to modest growth early this fall.”
KITTANNING, PA – Dielectric Solutions has filed an Involuntary Chapter 11 Petition in US Bankruptcy Court, according company officers. The action is intended to give the company court protection from a breach of contract by customer and investor Isovolta AG. In November, the company filed suit against not only Isovolta and its US subsidiary, Isofab Inc., but also two officers from the companies. The suit alleges that Isovolta infringed on Dielectric’s patented flat fiberglass fabric and submitted a fraudulent patent. Dielectric also alleges that Isovolta attempted to restrict sales and to control the company’s business and technology in an attempt to eliminate Dielectric as an independent supplier to the electrical insulation industry. The company plans to prosecute the complaint while under bankruptcy protection, according to Dielectric officials.
Despite layoffs in March, it does not plan to shutter the facility, according to Ken Beer, vice president of marketing. The company has continued to satisfy orders and remains operational. “It’s not our intent to do anything but grow our business,” he adds.
MELVILLE, NY – Park Electrochemical Corp. has named Marty Kendrick vice president of operations. He will be responsible for the company’s operations in Asia, Europe and North America, excluding Park’s advanced composite materials operation in Waterbury, CT. Read more ...
CHANDLER, AZ – An Isola subsidiary has renewed Nan Ya Plastic’s license for a patented reverse treat foil technology. The agreement between Polyclad Laminates Inc. and Nan Ya concerns the Drum Side Treated Foil (DSTF) technology for dense circuit formation and high-speed signal transmission. DSTF reduces the cost of a processed inner layer when compared to standard shiny foils.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – AT&S has reinvented itself within the mobile device market, which accounts for nearly 64% of the company’s sales. Going forward, AT&S will focus on the high-end segment of the market, where complex applications and demand for smaller devices necessitate the accelerated development of technologies to meet these needs. Although a loss in market share, especially with customers in the low-cost segment, is expected, AT&S believes the move will strengthen its long-term position in the high-end segment. It will increase its focus on new technologies, such as rigid-flex solutions, production of finer structures and embedding components inside circuit boards. Investments are also planned. Because of the company’s new strategic orientation and the unstable global economy, AT&S does not expect to see financial growth in its 2009/10 and 2010/11 fiscal years. Although, through focusing on its core competences, retaining its global presence and maintaining its technological orientation, the company foresees a beneficial positioning for future growth.
