MUNICH – Dr. Franz Josef Radermacher, head of the Research Institute for Application-Oriented Knowledge Processing, will keynote this year’s Productronica trade show.
Dr. Radermacher, who is also professor of informatics at Ulm University, will speak on the challenges of globalization, information society and sustainable development.
Radermacher, who holds Ph.D.s in mathematics and economics, will analyze current developments in population growth, social tensions in the global society, cultural conflicts and the aggravation of the worldwide ecological situation. He will illustrate the special role of electronics, computers and networks as the nervous system of humanity. He will provide a few future scenarios: the collapse of the biosphere, the "Brazilianization" of society, and the ideal balance. Finally, he will offer a possible initial solution toward implementing an eco-social global economy with the Global Marshall Plan.
He is one of the guiding forces behind the Global Marshall Plan Initiative aimed at harmonizing business interests with the environment, society and culture by creating an ecologically and socially compatible global economy.
SMYRNA, GA – Printed Circuit Design and Manufacture magazine announced that Istvan Novak, Happy Holden, George Dudnikov and Michael Carano have been added to its Editorial Advisory Board.
The Editorial Advisory Board helps guide the editorial content of Printed Circuit Design and Manufacture, providing advice on topics and potential authors. They join current members Eric Bogatin of Be The Signal and Jack Fisher of Interconnect Technology Analysis on the EAB for the upcoming year.
HONG KONG – The peak season for airfreight is off to a slow start, says Trans Global Logistics.
Soft demand for space has been caused by a number of market conditions, including earlier shipping patterns influenced by China's decision to reduce export incentives; early shipping to avoid the perceived threat of a USWC labor disruption; proactive shipping to avoid west coast port congestion, and cautious holiday shopping projections by retailers that expect sub-prime mortgages to be reset at higher interest rates – and higher fuel costs, the company says.
Throughout the Asia-Pacific region, there has been adequate lift to meet demand, and transit times have been consistent with non-peak periods, says president Robert W. Mooney. On the other hand, fuel surcharges remain persistently high and could be poised for another period of upward adjustment, he continues. Some countries, including Korea and Thailand, have seen export volumes tail off in part because of the rising value of their local currencies.
Looking ahead, most carriers in the region are anticipating demand for space to build later this month and carry forward through October, says Mooney.
Specifically, in China, demand from the Shanghai area has been relatively strong since late August, and carriers have been able to impose rate increases, while transit times have degraded somewhat, says Trans Global.
In North Asia, demand for space is down from last year; however, air carriers in Taiwan and Hong Kong have begun imposing rate increases. ICN is reporting a backlog of trans-shipment cargo in the vicinity of 400 to 500 tons, and freight originating from Korea is being uplifted without delay, the company adds.
In the Indian subcontinent, there is sufficient space to meet demand; rates are stable, and transit times are consistent, except via Europe. Importers should keep an eye on the political situation in Pakistan and be mindful of the start of Ramadan, which will impact operations in Muslim countries, says Mooney.
And in Southeast Asia, most markets have adequate space to meet demand, although Vietnam and Malaysia have reported much tighter market conditions. All markets in this region must contend with slightly longer transit times through regional air hubs, according to Trans Global Logistics.
SAN FRANCISCO – PC growth could surprise during the next several quarters – even assuming a modest slowdown in U.S. consumer demand, a leading analyst said today.
Chris Whitmore of Deutsche Bank Equity Research issued a 15% year-over-year unit estimate for 2007 and 13% for 2008.
MOSCOW - The Industry and Energy Ministry announced that up to $5.8 billion would be spent through 2025. The allocation of between 140 billion rubles ($5.5 billion) - 150 billion rubles ($5.8 billion) over the next 15 – 20 years is designed to ensure development and production of domestic electronic components.
The Industry and Energy Ministry said that by 2011 Russian producers would use up to 70% of the available Russian electronic components compared to the current level of 35%.
“We can expect scientific-technical cooperation to achieve advances, as well as a breakthrough in new technologies, including nanotechnologies, bioelectronics, optoelectronics and quantum computers, by 2025,” according to the ministry statement.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – After declining or remaining stable for the past six months, the average selling price for LCD-TVs rose significantly in July and remained at a higher level in August. But while the price increases have been a boon for LCD-TV makers, they are not expected to last, according to iSuppli Corp.
