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Fab News

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 11 June 2008

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Skyrocketing oil prices prompted many companies to increase product prices in early 2008. Some are now experiencing record sales as a result. The four major subsidiaries of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) saw combined sales hit a historic high record of NT$160.5 billion (US$5.31 billion at US$1:NT$30.2) in May. The FPGs four major subsidiaries registered NT$704.3 billion (US$23.32 billion) in cumulative sales combined in the first five months of this year.

The Nan Ya division performance for May 2008 was NT$20.78 billion (US$688.07 million), up 8.6% year-on-year. It was the third-largest record in history. Nan Ya saw cumulative sales for 2008 reach NT$102.48 billion (US$3.39 billion) in the first five months of this year, an increase of NT$21.18 billion (US$701.32 million) when compared to the first five months of 2007.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 11 June 2008

MELVILLE, N.Y. - Park Electrochemical Corp. announced the appointment of Manuel Gonzalez as president of Neltec Europe SAS, Park’s high-technology printed circuit materials business unit in Mirebeau, France. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Gonzalez was the manufacturing director of Neltec Europe SAS. From 1989 to April 2007 Gonzalez was Neltec Europe SAS quality manager. He received a degree in Chemistry from the Lyon School of Chemistry (E.S.C.I.L.) in 1981.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 10 June 2008

SUNNYVALE, CA – The Kushner Electroplating School announces the Fall 2008 schedule for its two-day training program in electroplating. These training courses will be offered in Dallas, TX, October 27 and 28, 2008 and again in Los Angles, CA, October 30 and 31, 2008.

The two-day program entitled, "Electroplating Know How II," covers the mathematics of electroplating, chemistry and electrochemistry of electroplating, environmental issues, safety issues, plating cycles, cleaning and rinsing techniques and testing procedures. The program is designed for supervisors, operators, sales representatives, engineers and others desiring a better understanding of the basics of electroplating. Dr. Kushner will be the instructor for both sessions.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 10 June 2008

TOKYO - The Ibiden Co., is reportedly considering investing another $306 Million in a second phase of its PCB plant in the Penang Science Park.

According to industry reports, Ibiden's executive officer Sotaro Ito said "We have a tentative plan for the second phase that we hope to execute in 2011, if we are successful with the first phase."

The plant will reportedly be ready to begin production by July of next year. Ito has stated that about 900 jobs would be created for the plant's first phase, and a similar number for the second.

"We hope to source raw materials from Malaysian small and medium [sized] enterprises, depending on their capability to meet our needs," he said.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The IPC 4-11 plating subcommittee is working on an organic solderability preservative specification to be titled IPC-4555. The testing of various OSP finishes is currently in process.

The completed document is scheduled for publication and distribution at 2009’s IPC Printed Circuits Expo, APEX and the Designers Summit in Las Vegas, NV.

The IPC 4-11 plating subcommittee has previously released the IPC-4552, IPC-4553 and IPC-4554 standards, which set specifications for electroless nickel immersion gold, immersion silver and immersion tin surface finishes (respectively).

The documents are intended to specify methods to obtain the best solderable and reliable surface finishes, and are intended for use by chemical suppliers, PCB fabrication houses, electronic manufacturing services and OEMs.

TAIWAN – Copper clad laminate (CCL) maker Iteq reported total revenue of $44 million (converted from TWD) in May, posting 25.6% year-on-year growth, a record high for 2008.

Industry reports cite the company's increased manufacturing capacity at its Wuxi plant, creation of the JV between between Iteq and Laird for the manufacture of LED heat conductive material, and the start up of production at the company's FCCL plant in Guangzhou, China as the sources of the increased revenue.