Fab News

BEAVERTON, OR – Merix Corp. announced a fourth-quarter loss from continuing operations of $3.5 million on revenue of $87.6 million. The results were much improved over a year ago, when the PWB fabricator reported a loss from continuing operations of $80.1 million on revenue of $93.6 million.

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SANTA ANA, CA – TTM Technologies reported second-quarter net sales of $173 million, down 1% over a year ago and in line with company guidance. Net income was $9.4 million, down 35% sequentially. Read more ...
WASHINGTON -- IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced that it will acquire 19% of the Fuba Printed Circuits Tunisie S.A. stock.

Slim Sellami, Fuba’s CEO, said, “We are grateful for IFC’s support. It shows trust in our ambitious growth strategy.”  

“IFC’s partnership with Fuba will have a strong impact in the country by enhancing the technological competitiveness of a key Tunisian export player, creating job opportunities for university graduates and improving environmental and social standards as well as corporate governance,” said Dimitris Tsitsiragos, IFC Director for Global Manufacturing and Services.

IFC’s has not invested in the Tunisian manufacturing sector in over 10 years.
PHILADELPHIA -- Rohm and Haas second-quarter earnings fell to $147 million, or 75 cents a share, from $161 million in the same period a year ago.

At the same time, sales rose 17% to $2.57 billion from $2.19 billion a year earlier. The increase in revenue was attributed to strong growth in the electronic materials and chemical businesses outside North America.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – June PCB shipments by North American fabricators increased 3.3%, and bookings rose 3.4% compared to last year, IPC reported today. Year to date, shipments were up 5.7% and bookings rose 5.4% through June.
 
The overall book-to-bill ratio declined to 0.95. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.
 
Sequentially, shipments of rigid and flex boards were up 12%, and bookings were up 20.4%.
 
June shipments of rigid PCBs were up 2.9% year-over-year, while bookings were down 4.5%. Year to date, rigid PCB shipments were up 5.8%, and bookings were up 6.6%. Sequentially, rigid PCB shipments increased 11.8%, and rigid bookings increased 21.1%. The rigid book-to-bill ratio slipped to 0.94. 
 
Flex circuit shipments were up 8.9%, while bookings were up 12.2% year-over-year. Year to date, flexible circuit shipments were up 4.2%, and bookings were down 8.8%. Compared to the previous month, flexible circuit shipments were up 15.8%, and flex bookings rose 11.4%. The book-to-bill ratio inched up to 1.02.
 
“The sagging book-to-bill ratio is due to the fact that shipment growth outpaced growth in orders during second quarter,” said IPC. “Both orders and shipments are up this month and showing typical seasonal patterns.” 
TOYKO -- Hitachi Chemical will pour a reported 520 million yen into a new R&D center for dry-film PWB materials. The plant will reportedly start operations in April.


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