GENK, BELGIUM - IPTE NV posted sales of EUR 65.5 million (US$101.76 million) in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 5% over Q1 2007, and profit from operations rose to EUR 2.54 million (US$3.95 million), a 23% increase over the same period in 2007.

Net profit for the quarter increased to EUR 1.5 million (US$2.33 million), up 20% over 2007, while booked orders grew 4.8% to EUR 87 million (US$135.24 million) for the first quarter of 2008.

Huub Baren, company chairman said, "The first quarter results are as we expected. Sales are up slightly and net profit is 20% higher. Order inflow in the automation division ran to plan and remains above the market trend. Prospects for the second half are positive."

TAIWAN - PCB makers will look to increasing prices to pass on rising costs to their customers, according to industry reports.

Reports indicate that PCB makers including Hannstar Board and Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) have already begun price negotiations with customers.

PCB makers are under increased pressure to increase costs due to rising materials and labor costs in China. Average selling price (ASP) for copper clad laminate (CCL), has grown 7% through the second quarter as well, according to industry reports.

CCL maker Iteq has explained in reports that there is typically a two-month gap between copper costs and affected CCL selling price, indicating that increases in copper costs will be seen as higher prices in PCB production several months later.

In addition to rising material costs, the dwindling number of motherboard PCB suppliers is another possible reason for a price adjustment, as low gross margins for motherboard PCBs have prompted many Taiwanese manufacturers to abandon production of the product, according to sources.