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FRANKFURT – ZVEI reported that the German electronic components and systems sales would drop by 4% to Euro 16.4 billion ($20.89 billion) for 2008. ZVEI forecasts a further decline of 1% for 2009. Weak semiconductor sales (down 8% for the year)played a big role in this decline because semiconductor sales account for 60% to the electronic component market in Germany. ZVEI market analysts are optimistic of a rebound in the semiconductor market in 2009.

Chip sales last year dropped more than 4% to Euro 10.7 billion ($13.63 billion). This year German semiconductor sales are further expected to decrease by 8% to Euro 9.8 billion ($12.48 billion). The telecommunications segment that dropped 23% in sales in 2007 is expected to suffer another 36% loss in 2008 according to ZVEI.

The domestic printed circuit board market posted a 2.5% increase in sales to Euro 1.5 billion ($1.91 billion), according to the Printed Circuit Board Association (VdL). The industry is expected grow 1.3% overall in 2008.

The falling rate of exchange between the Euro and US dollar is also impacting sales.

HUDSON, MA -- A former Intel employee was charged yesterday with stealing trade secrets valued at more than $1 billion.

Biswamohan Pani is accused of allegedly downloading Intel trade secrets while working simultaneously for Advanced Micro Devices. He has been charged with a total of five counts of theft of trade secrets.

According to the indictment, Pani had taken a job with AMD while still in the employ of Intel, then while on vacation from Intel, allegedly downloaded at least eight documents described by Intel as “confidential,” “secret” or “top secret.”

The information Pani allegedly downloaded was worth $1 billion in research and development costs, according to the federal government.

AMD was unaware of Pani's alleged actions, according to the indictment.

Pani had worked at Intel's Hudson, MA, site before taking the job with AMD in Santa Clara, CA.

PEMBROKE, BERMUDA– Tyco Electronics Ltd. has released its fourth-quarter and full-year results. Net sales were reported at $3.7 billion for the fourth quarter, marking a 6% increase over 2007 figures. The organic sales growth for the quarter was 2%.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The AeA and the Electronics Components Association (ECA) are considering a merger, the two groups said.

In a statement, AeA chairman Peter Boni said there is a growing need "for a trade association that has the size, scale and flexibility to support and promote its members and the industry as a whole."

Ironically, ECA was spun out in mid 2006 when the Electronics Industries Alliance diviied up its assets among its member organizations. Moreover, in September the AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) and the Information Technology Association of America, another former EIA partner, announced discussions to merge their respective memberships and programs.

AeA has 2,400 corporate members and focuses on lobbying at the state, federal and international levels. Its 2006 revenues, the last year for which records are available, were $19.4 million.

ECA has more than 92 members and reported a small loss on revenues of $1.9 million in 2006.

ITAA has 360 members and concentrates on business development, public policy advocacy, market forecasting and standards development. Its 2006 revenues were $5.9 million. Combined, the groups spent $2.25 million to lobby the federal government in 2007, according to required filings, and have been increasing their contributions this year.

STAMFORD, CT -- The economic crisis is having a significant impact on the semiconductor industry, as worldwide semiconductor revenue growth in 2009 is expected to be 1%, down by approximately seven points from previous estimates, according to preliminary estimates from Gartner Inc.

Market News

Report: German Electronics Market Down 4%

Intel Insider: Ex Employee Charged with Trade Secrets Theft

Tyco Q4 and Full-Year Results

AeA, ECA Consider Merger

Gartner: 2009 Semi Growth Just 1%

Rigid-Flex PCB Demand on the Rise

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