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Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 15 October 2008

DAEGU, KOREA– ISU Petasys has been named “Supplier of the Year” by Cisco. The global award recognizes the Cisco supplier that has shown excellence throughout the supply chain and in all operational areas, including technology, quality, cost and delivery.

ISU received the honor due to its “superior responsiveness and flexibility” and ability to “consistently exceeded expectations,” according to Cisco. ISU sees the award as a platform from which it will strive to be the top PCB manufacturer worldwide.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 15 October 2008

DALLAS, TX – Eagle Circuits, Inc., a One Source Group company, announced the installation of an Excellon COBRA Hybrid laser via drilling system.

Nilesh Naik, president and CEO of One Source Group said, “Excellon a highly focused company which is very “tuned in” to the needs of the smaller niche suppliers in the industry. Consequently, we found Excellon to be closely aligned with our company, with regard to values, goals and behavior.”

According to Naik, the laser via drilling systems that Eagle Circuits has installed is extremely flexible, with the ability to perform additional tasks beyond standard microvia drilling including; micro machining circuits, routing flex circuits, bar coding panels and repairing PCBs.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 15 October 2008

NORCROSS, GA– T-Tech Inc. announces its association with Prototype This, a new Discovery Channel series. Prototype This showcases a team of engineers as they use emerging technologies to build prototypes for the future.

T-Tech supplied a Quick Circuit precision circuit board prototyping system, as well as tools and materials. The premier episode airs October 15, 2008.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/prototype-this/prototype-this.html

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 14 October 2008

YAVNE, ISRAEL– Orbotech Ltd. has revised its third-quarter revenue estimate. The change comes in the recent wake of customers deferring previously confirmed PCB orders. The company states that its FPD inspection products have been unaffected.

With a revision of $90 to $95 million in revenue, third-quarter revenues are 10% to 15% less than previous predictions. The company also expects a moderate net loss for the quarter.

Despite the unstable, global economy, Orbotech plans to realign its infrastructure and tailor investments to support its planned growth. It remains confident in its “ability to preserve its own leadership position” in the world market.

TAIWAN– Compeq Manufacturing reported consolidation revenues for September of NT$2.7 billion (US$83.4 million). That marks an increase of 21.7% from August figures and 37.6% on year. Third-quarter consolidated revenues were NT$6.8 billion (US$209.9 million), up 30% on quarter.

The company’s revenue resulted from increased demand for PCBs for handsets and smartphone applications. In addition, US-based customers drove up orders for rigid-flex PCBs to record numbers, according to Compeq.

Third-quarter PCB shipments were nearly 50 million units. The shipment goal for the fourth quarter is expected to remain at the same level, with an annual shipment goal of 180 million to 190 million units.

ASIA– After a three-year-long slump, demand for flexible PCB (FPCB) is on the rise, according to market indicators. The improvement is due, in part, to smartphone and notebook applications that have stabilized average selling prices for FPCBs.

Because of strong competition over the past few years, smaller FPCB companies have been pushed out of the market. Industry watchers predict that the consolidation will bring stabilization in pricing. As an example, Career Technology in Taiwan reported high third-quarter average quote prices. The average selling price is predicted to increase in 2009, due to the constant introduction of new smartphone models.

FPCB companies in South Korea have taken a substantial hit. Over the past two years, the number of FPCB companies has dropped from 50 to 60 to the current level of only eight or nine companies. Some FPCB companies in Japan, including Nippon Mektron and Fujikura, have increase market share during the same period.