DALLAS, TX - Texas Instruments (TI) recently recognized five suppliers for outstanding use of minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE's).

In 2007, the company reportedly awarded $190 million in contracts to MWBEs, as well as $18 million in business by non-MWBE suppliers with firms operated by women and minorities.

The company also recognized a number of employees for increasing the business of incumbent MWBE suppliers or providing business opportunities to new suppliers in 2007.

"We're very proud of our partners and our employees, and we appreciate the value they continue to deliver," said Rich Templeton, CEO. "In 2007 we set a new standard for ourselves and our suppliers by requiring third-party certification of MWBE status."

The 2007 companies recognized include Air Liquide, Cadence Design Systems, DFW Test, Millennium Circuits, Volt Services Group and Automated Circuit Design.

Shaunna Black, TI's VP of Worldwide Facilities, received the Executive Leadership Award for making the development of MWBE partnerships a company priority.

SAN JOSE, CA - Resurgence in demand for high performance, low cost materials for electrical and electronics product components and devices are likely to spur the use of conductive polymers in the electronics industry.

As stated in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, the electrically conducting polymers market in the U.S. is forecasted to reach 230.7 thousand metric tons by the year 2010. Lightweight, easy fabrication, low cost and high resistance to heat are prime factors driving growth in the marketplace.

The growth of conductive polymers market in the United States is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.08% from the years 2011 through 2015.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - After beginning the first quarter of 2008 with a 13.4% growth in machine tool exports, Taiwan`s major machine tool manufacturers Awea Mechantronic, Tong Tai Machine and Tool, Goodway Machine and Roundtop Machinery Industries are maintaining their brisk pace in equipment sales in the second quarter.

According to statistics compiled by Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), machinery exports reached US$3.851 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 13.4% or 9.7% from a year earlier.

Taiwanese companies, including high-tech companies, have significantly increased their investment in production equipment, with imports of machinery amounting to US$4.796 billion in the first quarter, up 29.1%, and 24.8% from a year earlier.