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MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – A just-released survey of some 85 senior-level executives at semiconductor companies finds a majority sees R&D and capital expenditures decreasing significantly next year.

As economic conditions and consumer spending continue to deteriorate, semiconductor executives are turning more pessimistic, and anticipate a steep decline in profitability during the next 12 to 18 months, says the consulting group that conducted the survey.

SAN JOSE, CA – According to the November Book-to-Bill Ratio Report released by SEMI, North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $805 million in orders for the month. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.00.

Worldwide bookings for the month were $805.4 million, close to 4% less than the amount for October and 29% lower than 2007 figures. Worldwide billings showed a 7% decline over October, reaching $807.3 million.

“2008 is closing with expected declines on the year, which have been further exacerbated by the deepening seismic global economic situation over the past quarter,” said Stanley Myers, president and CEO.

SMYRNA, GA – UP Media Group Inc. announced the addition of Sunstone Circuits and Intercept Technology to the list of leading industry companies that have signed on to exhibit at Virtual PCB, the industry's only virtual trade show and conference for the PCB design, fabrication and assembly markets. Now in its second year, Virtual PCB takes place February 24-25, 2009.

SANTA CLARA, CA – As part of a restructuring plan, Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that it will eliminate 500 positions. The majority of layoffs will occur next year by May 31, with the remaining cuts completed by the end of October.

In addition, Agilent has cut over 300 positions within its temporary workforce. Effective January 1, employees will also see temporary pay cuts and/or required time off-without pay.

The restructuring, according to the company, will enable annual operating expenses to be reduced by nearly $65 million; the reduction in pay will save $100 million. Agilent plans to take a $55 million pre-tax charge, mostly for employee severance.

LAKE FOREST, CA – Western Digital Corp. (WD) has announced several cost-cutting measures designed to boost its bottom line. The demand for hard drives is below expectations, and revenues for December have been revised. Originally predicted to fall between $2.025 billion and $2.150 billion, new figures expect revenue for the month to be between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion.

“In the current macro economic climate, we expect demand weakness to last well into the middle of the 2009 calendar year,” said president and chief executive officer John Coyne. “Consequently, we are taking additional steps to immediately reduce production capacity and operating expenses on a longer-term basis across our entire business as we approach the seasonally weaker second half of our fiscal year.”

Those additional steps, scheduled to be completed by March 2009, include a 5% reduction in its worldwide workforce through a layoff that will affect approximately 2,500 employees. One of its hard drive manufacturing plants in Thailand will close, and a media substrate plant in Malaysia will either close or be sold.

Cuts in employee attrition, shift overtime and the use of temporary workers are also scheduled. Executive officers, senior management and board of directors will see their compensation reduced, and WD has decreased its capital spending for 2009 from $750 million to roughly $500 million.

“We are taking these actions in order to strengthen our financial position and enhance the ability of our business to withstand an extended period of depressed demand while continuing to invest in the technologies, products and processes required to assure the continued success of our business,” explained Coyne.