Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Market News

Market News

SAN JOSE, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced its strong support for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its efforts to protect tariff-free trade in electronic products. These products have been duty-free since the implementation of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 1997.

““Free and fair trade is vitally important to the health of the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said SIA president George Scalise. “We rely not only on open trade for semiconductor products but also for the electronic products that use semiconductors. Roughly three quarters of our sales take place outside of our borders,” Scalise added.

“The ITA represents a major accomplishment, benefiting not only IT producers but guaranteeing lower cost access to IT products for consumers worldwide. Ambassador [Susan] Schwab [U.S. Trade Representative] and her team are taking the steps needed to ensure that the progress made… isn’t eroded by misguided attempts to revert to protectionist policies,” Scalise concluded.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Ansoft Corp. has announced financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 ending April 30.

Revenue for fiscal Q4 totaled $33.9 million, an increase of 19%, as compared to $28.6 million reported in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter was $10.7 million, as compared to net income of $8.7 million in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter, for an increase of 23%.

On a GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter was $8.5 million, compared to $7.9 million in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter, for an increase of 7.6%.

“We experienced revenue growth in both domestic and international markets. We are pleased to have had such a strong finish to our fiscal year with nearly 20% growth in revenue during the fourth quarter," said Ansoft CEO Nicholas Csendes.

Revenue for the fiscal year totaled $103.4 million, an increase of 16% compared to $89.1 million for the previous year.

WASHINGTON - The United States has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over European tariffs on three categories of consumer electronics that include flat-panel computer monitors and printers.

SINGAPORE - Flextronics has been given the go ahead by Dell to produce three notebook computer models for the company. Shipments are expected to start by the end of this year, according to a report in China’s Economic Daily News.

In addition, some industry reports state that Flextronics and Micro-Star International (MSI), a motherboard manufacturer in Taiwan, have also obtained orders from Dell for some desktop PC models.

Dell had recently announced plans to outsource more of its design and manufacturing in order to cut costs.

According to some reports, Flextronics is also reportedly negotiating with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to manufacture notebook products for that company as well.

QUEBEC, CANADA - Market Research firm Electronics.ca Publications has published a report entitled Printed & Organic Electronics Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2008-2028, which reports that spending on printed and thin film electronics devices will be $1.58 billion this year.

The report states that of the technologies covered in the $1.58 billion market in 2008, only 27.8% of the components are currently printed electronics, but that level will rise to 79.6% by 2018. Also, while non-rigid substrate products (such as sensors and EL displays) account for only 15.7% of the market, this figure will also rise to 74% by 2018. The report goes on to state its assertion that the market opportunities are strongest for printed and flexible devices.

The report also indicates that printed electronics manufacturing as a percentage of the industry will increase significantly in the next 20 years.