Market News

LONDON – Exhibitors and organizers are urging support for National Electronics Week (NEW) the UK’s electronics industry exhibition, which holds its inaugural event at London’s Earls Court from June 17 to 19.

More than 300 UK-based companies and trade associations have signed up for the show, including Aeroflex, AFDEC, Agilent Technologies, BAE Systems, the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (E-KTN), Fuji, Intellect, the IPC, National Instruments, Pace Europe, Panasonic and Samsung. The show will also feature seminars and workshops from Advanced Rework Technology, the E-KTN, Intellect, the IPC and UKEA.

Ian Bell, marketing director at National Instruments says that the organizers have acted on feedback from the market and have put together an event which is a major networking opportunity, and a place to interact face-to-face and cross-fertilize with peers in the industry.

“The UK has a vibrant electronics industry and a worldwide reputation for designing, prototyping and producing seriously innovative electronics products,” said Bell. “It is important that UK-based companies, trade associations, government agencies and universities work together in partnership. NEW provides the forum to showcase our considerable talents and to forge such partnerships.”

Simon Payne, CEO of boundary scan test company XJTAG and sponsor of NEW said, “The UK electronics industry is the fifth largest in the world, yet we lack a single international event in the UK at which to showcase our considerable talents. That won’t happen unless the rally cry to visitors to attend this inaugural event is heard and acted upon by the electronics fraternity across the UK.”

Henry Parker of Intellect, the UK trade association for the electronics, IT and telecoms industries said, “As an industry we must work together to draw attention to the positive and growing contribution we make to the economy. We believe that National Electronics Week will help to reinforce the reality that electronics is a... successful element of the UK economy as a whole.”

Claire Jeffreys, NEW event director said: “National Electronics Week aims to bring the whole electronics industry together... drawing attention to the value of the electronics sector to the UK economy. We urge everyone to come along to the event, celebrate our world class capabilities and put the UK electronics industry back on the map!"
NEW YORK – Increasing concern over emerging scientific evidence that nanoparticles may cause adverse health risks could put pressure on officials to produce regulations governing the use of nanotechnology.

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EUROPE - According to reports, the European Commission has “strongly rejected” the US complaint that the customs classification applied to specific technological products is not justified under the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

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SAN JOSE, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced its strong support for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its efforts to protect tariff-free trade in electronic products. These products have been duty-free since the implementation of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 1997.

““Free and fair trade is vitally important to the health of the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said SIA president George Scalise. “We rely not only on open trade for semiconductor products but also for the electronic products that use semiconductors. Roughly three quarters of our sales take place outside of our borders,” Scalise added.

“The ITA represents a major accomplishment, benefiting not only IT producers but guaranteeing lower cost access to IT products for consumers worldwide. Ambassador [Susan] Schwab [U.S. Trade Representative] and her team are taking the steps needed to ensure that the progress made… isn’t eroded by misguided attempts to revert to protectionist policies,” Scalise concluded.
PITTSBURGH, PA – Ansoft Corp. has announced financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 ending April 30.

Revenue for fiscal Q4 totaled $33.9 million, an increase of 19%, as compared to $28.6 million reported in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter was $10.7 million, as compared to net income of $8.7 million in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter, for an increase of 23%.

On a GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter was $8.5 million, compared to $7.9 million in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter, for an increase of 7.6%.

“We experienced revenue growth in both domestic and international markets. We are pleased to have had such a strong finish to our fiscal year with nearly 20% growth in revenue during the fourth quarter," said Ansoft CEO Nicholas Csendes.

Revenue for the fiscal year totaled $103.4 million, an increase of 16% compared to $89.1 million for the previous year.

WASHINGTON - The United States has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over European tariffs on three categories of consumer electronics that include flat-panel computer monitors and printers.

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