Fab News

NORWALK, OH– EPIC Technologies LLC has promoted Mike Goryl to vice president of Human Resources. In his new position, Goryl will direct all HR activities, with a specific focus on acquiring, developing and retaining new talent.

He brings over 30 years of management experience. Prior to joining EPIC in 2005, he held several executive and management positions within Siemens Corporation. 

 

CHANGZHOU, CHINA, and ANAHEIM, CA– Microtek Laboratories’ facility in Changzhou, China, has received testing authorization from China Quality Certification Center (CQC). This approval allows Microtek to test PCBs, CCLs and plastics for CQC certification for the domestic Chinese market (CQC-V084).

This is the first time that a foreign-based laboratory has been given authorization to perform testing in these categories. Covering 31 test methods, the CQC certification is based on China National (GB) Standards, as well as certain IEC and ISO standards.

Microtek believes its testing service will “assist customers with certification services for domestic and export Chinese markets.” It has begun to accept requests for CQC testing and certification. 

TAIWAN– Flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) makers experienced enhanced sales for September, according to market sources. An improvement in the handset market brought increased revenue for companies such as Flexium Interconnect, Ichia Technologies and Career Technology.
 
September consolidation revenues for Flexium were reported at NT$314 million (US$9.69 million), rising 3.28% sequentially. In 2007, the company began to diversify into handset applications and has become part of the supply chain for a major US handset vendor. Flexium’s FPCB shipments have been spurred by this undisclosed vendor’s introduction of a 3G smartphone in July.
 
Ichia reported consolidated revenues totaling a record NT$600 million (US$18.43 million). Revenues from FPCBs made up 65% of the overall sales for the month, up from the previous 50%. According to sources, the increase can be attributed to vendors launching new feature phones, as well as smartphone models, to answer third-quarter seasonal demand.
 
According to market watchers, Career’s consolidated revenues for the month came in at NT$810 million (US$24.88 million), up 30% sequentially. Record-breaking sales are expected for October, but the company is still remaining “cautiously optimistic” for the fourth quarter.

ANAHEIM, CA–DDi Corporation has announced its preliminary financial results for the third quarter. Net revenue was reported at nearly $49.3 million, a 14% increase over 2007 figures. Booked orders were $51.1 million, the best quarterly PCB bookings performance since 2003, according to DDi.
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BEAVERTON, OR– Merix Corporation has announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. A net loss of $2.1 million ($0.10 per diluted share on revenue of $90.6) was reported. 2008 figures showed a $3.6 million net loss (or $0.17 per diluted share on revenue of $99.4 million).
 
There was a 9% decline in first-quarter revenue, but the company sites the March 2008 closure of its Wood Village factory as the reason. The overall gross margin averaged 11.3% of revenue, an improvement over last year’s figures.
 
The company is happy with the first-quarter improvement and feels the financial results are “within guidance range for the quarter.” Over the last 15 months, Merix has been examining how to improve and restructure in order to deliver value proposition to its global clients.
 
In addition, the completion of two substantial capital projects did not alter the positive cash flow. Expansion and upgrades at the Huiyang, China, factory have been completed, and the implementation of a global ERP system has been finished.

TAIWAN– Elite Material Company will invest $800,000 in Allstar Tech, a flexible CCL maker in southern China. The investment will increase EMC’s stake in the company from 5% to 11%, according to EMC filings with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. 

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