Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Fab News

Fab News

TAIPEI, TAIWAN and YANGZHOU, CHINA – As part of its plan to expand into China, Uniflex Technology Inc. is set to acquire Boardtek Electronics Corporation’s plant in Yangzhou for a reported NT$180 million (US$5.38 million). The plant supplies flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) to subsidiaries of its parent company YFY Group.

In addition, market sources say Boardtek will take a 10% stake, nearly NT$130 million (US$3.89 million), in Uniflex through private placement. The deal is expected to close by early 2009.

FOREST GROVE, OR – Mania Technologie Outsourcing Services (MTOS) has been chosen to supply high technology flying probe test solutions to several printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers and electrical test service providers. The companies include: Westak Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA; Advanced Circuitry Inc. of Duluth, GA; Quickturn Services Inc. of Anaheim, CA; Multicircuits Inc. of Oshkosh, WI; and Circuit Technology Services Inc. of San Jose, CA.

CHANDLER, AZ – Isola Group, SARL, has entered into a licensing agreement with Park Electrochemical Corporation. Under the agreement, Park is allowed to practice under U.S. Patent Nos. 5,464,658 and 5,350,621 for the terms of the patents.

The patents concern laminates and printed circuit boards (PCBs) that incorporate square weave fabric materials. Financial terms of the agreement are undisclosed.

ST. LOUIS– In a statement released last week, Viasystems Group Inc. announced it would be closing its Oak Creek, WI, manufacturing and distribution plant in 2009. Nearly 240 employees will be laid off in phases scheduled to last from January through May, and now it looks as if they will not be alone.

Read more: Update: Viasystems Closes Second Plant and Looks to Cut Global Workforce

PETACH-TIKVA, ISRAEL – Eltek Ltd. has announced its third-quarter results. Operating income was reported at $319,000. The increase has been attributed to a 40% increase in revenues and more efficient use of raw materials.

Third-quarter revenues came in at $12.3 million, marking a 40% increase from 2007. The gross profit nearly doubled to $2 million, and the gross profit margin was almost 17%. Eltek also reduced its net loss to $21,000, a substantial difference when compared to last year’s figure of $223,000. EBITDA for the quarter was reported at $849,000

HAMPSHIRE, UK – Cemco FSL reports that the Enthone AlphaSTAR immersion silver process has been approved for use in the Cemco Streamline AS500 Silver Emersion System. The approval comes after extensive testing.

The unique design of the AS500 includes conveyor speeds of up to 0.5 mpm, as well as a total line length of less than 5 meters. The footprint is 50% smaller than traditional systems. Additional features include low-power heaterless drying and high-volume fluid knife rinsing technology.