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

SUNNYVALE, CA -- Sierra Circuits has acquired the Xcel Circuits Division of Emrise Electronics Corporation, also known as Emrise Circuits Division, effective July 31, 2008.

As part of this transaction Sierra will assume Xcel’s customer base. In addition, Digitran, a division of Emrise has entered into a long-term contract with Sierra for the exclusive supply of PCBs.

Capitol Technologies, LLC handled the transaction. Financial details were not available.

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

TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- PCB fabricator HannStar Board had record sales in July with Q3 shipments expected to reach 15 million units that would result in an 11-15% growth. Hannstar Board is expected to produce 56-58 million units in 2008. Sales have been down over 25% YoY from January through May. June and July sales were up 44.6% and 39.2% respectively. Current sales for the year through July are NT$1544 million ($49.5 million).

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

TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) YoY sales decline in July due to weaker-than-expected sales of notebook-use PCBs. The company noted that bookings from notebook, handset and MP3 player customers are stronger for August and that sales for the first half of 2008 were ahead of 2007 YoY.

GCE said its Jiangyin, China plant is running at full capacity. GCE is increasing its focus on the low-cost notebook segment with plans to expand capacity at its Changshu, China site to 1.4 million square feet per month by the end of this year.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 08 August 2008

ADDISON, IL -- Tapco Circuit Supply announced that it has acquired Tulon Pacifica supplier of PCB cutting tools, automated tool resharpening and drill room services.

“Tapco continues to be focused on creating the industry’s premier source for drill room related services and products,” comments Tapco president Kurt Palmer. “Tulon has an excellent reputation for quality tools as well as state-of-the-art Automated Tool resharpening equipment. With these assets, we will be opening additional resharpening facilities in North America, with the goal of further improving our service and reducing turnaround time to customers.”

YAVNE, ISRAEL – AOI equipment maker, Orbotech Ltd., has fired dozens of employees from its workforce of 800 in Israel, according to Global Online.

The firm’s LCD testing system division reportedly has been affected most because of canceled new projects.

According to the Israeli publication Global Online, the firm also will shut down its third-largest business: the IC division. The division reportedly will merge with the company’s largest division: printed circuits.

Orbotech employees 1,600 worldwide.

CLEVELAND, OH -- OM Group, Inc. announced second quarter (ending June 30, 2008). Net sales for the second quarter of 2008 was $510.8 million compared with $231.3 million in the corresponding period of 2007.

The Q2 2008 sales included $77.0 million from OM Group's newly acquired coatings and electronic technologies businesses (Electrochemicals). Excluding these acquisitions, revenue grew 88% due to higher product selling prices, increased cobalt metal resale volume, and organic volume growth in key end markets including battery and powder metallurgy.

Gross profit increased to $126.0 million in the second quarter of 2008 versus $83.7 million in the comparable 2007 quarter. The increase is attributable primarily to a higher cobalt reference price, acquisitions and greater volume.

Sales from the Specialty Chemicals segment were $152.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared with $78.0 million in the same quarter last year. Net sales for the segment increased to $301.6 million in the first half of 2008 from $144.7 million in the comparable 2007 period. Acquisitions and increased product selling prices were the main factors leading to the sales improvement. Operating profit was $20.8 million in the first six months of 2008 compared with $15.0 million in the same period in 2007.

According to the company, it has financial flexibility due to an unleveraged balance sheet and an improved cash flows from its operations. "This flexibility allows us to consider and evaluate a wide range of options to create long-term value for our shareholders, including strategic and transformational acquisitions and partnerships," said Joseph M. Scaminace, chairman and chief executive officer of OM Group. "We are well positioned to deliver on our promise of transforming OM Group into a leading specialty chemical company."