Around The Circuit
INDUSTRY NEWS
Raytheon Co. has completed its merger with Hughes Aircraft 's defense operations. Raytheon reports the merger is part of the company's effort to remain a top-tier company in a consolidating defense industry. The defense operations will become part of Raytheon Systems Co. , a new division headquartered in Washington, DC that also encompasses the operations that formerly were part of Raytheon Electronic Systems , Raytheon TI Systems and Raytheon E-Systems . The transaction is valued at $9.5 B.
Crystal oscillator product manufacturer Champion Technologies Inc. , Franklin Park, IL, has acquired high performance VCO manufacturer Wireless Radio . Wireless Radio's surface-mount technology VCOs will become part of Champion's CSM series product line.
Chelton Communication Systems Inc. , a Chelton Group company and subsidiary of Cobham PLC located in Boston, has acquired Nurad Technologies Inc. of Baltimore. Nurad will remain in its current facility with M.C. "Tony" Barnard as president and continue to produce microwave antennas and radomes for military and commercial customers worldwide. In addition, other complementary product lines are scheduled to be added to the Nurad facility.
Frequency control device manufacturer SaRonix , Palo Alto, CA, has announced plans to acquire quartz crystal and oscillator manufacturer IQD Ltd ., Somerset, UK. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Both companies will continue to support their existing customers and distributors, offering a wide range of products for use in commercial and military applications.
Semiconductor Packaging Materials Co. Inc. (SPM) , Armonk, NY, and International Silicon Solutions Inc. (ISS) , Dallas, TX, have terminated a letter of intent for SPM to acquire ISS. Both companies report that the acquisition is not feasible at this time.
Philips Components , Eindoven, the Netherlands, has signed a letter of intent to transfer all of its ferrite permanent magnet business to France-based Carbone Lorraine , including the company's production facilities in Evreux, France; Skierniewice, Poland; and Ribeirao Pires, Brazil. Approximately 580 employees will be affected by the transfer. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Electrical and communication product manufacturer Panduit Corp. , Tinley Park, IL, has sold its Electronic Connector Group to Illinois Tool Works Inc. Panduit's connector operations in Burr Ridge, IL and Bad Homburg, Germany are included in the sale along with the MAS-CON," LAT-CON and HI-CON electronic connector lines.
Palomar Products Inc. (formerly Palomar Products Assembly and Test ), Vista, CA, has become a subsidiary of Palomar Technologies Corp. Ronald Penland has been named president of the subsidiary, which is housed in a new 50,000-square-foot facility located at 2230 Oak Ridge Way, Vista, CA 92083 (760) 931-3622, fax (760) 931-5191. The company offers manufacturing, sales, engineering and support services for its line of bonding, welding and reflow soldering equipment.
Ortel Corp. , Alhambra, CA, has restructured its operations in an effort to refine overall organization to better serve the needs of customers and to meet future industry demands. Ortel's structure has been divided into three major company units, including worldwide sales, operations and wafer fab activities. The company reports its product focus will continue to be in the broadband, wireless, telecom and satellite/government communications market sectors.
Handling system and shipping carrier manufacturer Gel-Pak (formerly a division of Vichem Corp .), Sunnyvale, CA, has undergone a management buyout by a group of investors. Jeanne Beacham, former VP of sales and marketing at the Vichem division, has been named president. The company will retain the Gel-Pak name and focus new growth on sales and marketing, and new product development.
Advanced ball-grid array (BGA) packaging developer Abpac has moved to a 124,000-square-foot, world-class BGA chip packaging plant. The new facility is located at 3201 East Harbour Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85034-7227 (602) 431-1200, fax (602) 431-0404 or e-mail: marketing@abpac.com.
Aydin Microwave's MIC Amplifier & Components Group has relocated to a 27,000-square-foot manufacturing and office facility located at 1019 East Brokaw Rd., San Jose, CA 95131 (408) 501-2600, fax (408) 451-5933. In related news, Aydin's Horsham, PA facility has installed one of its INTELSAT earth station terminals in Canada. The second-generation time-division multiple access (TDMA) network system was developed jointly with Comsat Laboratories , Clarksburg, MD. The TDMA network provides service compatible with fiber-optic technology for telecommunications carriers and offers cost-competitive solutions for telephony, business traffic, data communications and video conferencing.
Cryogenic electronic packaging and infrared imaging subsystem developer Infrared Components Corp. has moved to a new facility to allow for greater production capabilities. The new address is 2306 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13502-4013 (315) 732-5020, fax (315) 732-5931.
Embedded test solution provider LogicVision Inc. , San Jose, CA, has expanded its international sales and support efforts with the opening of a new European headquarters in the UK. Reportedly, the new office is part of the company's commitment to the growth of built-in self test and other embedded test solutions. The new division is located at 1100 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Whiteley, Fareham, p015 7AB, UK 44-1489-611-802, fax 44-1489-611-724.
Actel Corp. and High Reliability Components Corp. have announced a partnership to bring high reliability field-programmable gate arrays (including the Japanese National Space Development Agency H-IIA rocket launch vehicle) to the Japanese satellite and space exploration industry. The companies hope to produce more reliable designs and faster time to launch for Japan's growing telecommunications and space infrastructure
Arlon, Materials for Electronics division, Bear, DE, has appointed two distributors for its line of laminates for high performance, low loss PCBs and frequency-dependent applications. EMX Enterprises Ltd. , Toronto, Canada, and TransTech Electronic sro , Prague, Czech Republic, will provide coverage in their respective areas.
California Eastern Laboratories (CEL) , Santa Clara, CA, has named Electro Sonic a distributor for its lines of NEC RF, microwave and optoelectronic semiconductor products. Terms of the agreement call for Electro Sonic to distribute NEC small-signal transistors, power transistors, RFICs, optocouplers and optocoupled solid-state relays to CEL's customers throughout Canada.
Ecliptek Corp. , Costa Mesa, CA, has appointed Projections Unlimited Inc. , Tustin, CA, as a North American distributor of its crystal and oscillator product lines.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) , Palo Alto, CA, has signed a channel partnership agreement with Intercal LLC , Ashland, OR, to jointly market automated software designed to simplify calibration of HP's microwave test equipment. The software will operate on PCs and use a standard calibration platform to minimize calibration run time and operator involvement.
QUALCOMM Inc. , San Diego, CA, has signed a royalty-bearing license agreement for test equipment with Marconi Instruments Ltd. , Stevenage, UK. QUALCOMM granted the license to Marconi to design and develop test equipment based on the code-division multiple access IS-95 standard.
Die distributor Semi Dice Inc. , Los Alamitos, CA, has entered into an agreement to distribute Microsemi Corp. 's line of discrete components. Semi Dice reports the agreement responds to a growing industry demand for discrete components.
Global Positioning System (GPS)-based navigation, position and communication data product developer Trimble Navigation Ltd. has been selected as the GPS technology provider for the Microsoft Auto PC platform. The system, which includes Trimble's Sierra chipset, will be implemented into Auto PC's reference design, providing real-time location for navigating. The system also can be used as a geographic data filter to sort information of interest to the driver by its proximity to the car.
Electronic test tool developer Fluke Corp. , Everett, WA, is offering discounts on its 5500 series oscilloscope calibration options. The sales incentives, which will be offered until April 25, apply to the purchase of either a 5500A or 5520A multiproduct calibrator fitted with the 5500A-SC300 or 5500A-SC600 300 MHz and 600 MHz oscilloscope calibration options, respectively. Discounts range from $1755 to $2000.
American Microsystems Inc. , Pocatello, ID, has become the first semiconductor vendor to receive QS 9000 certification and the only company to receive semiconductor supplement certification. The QS 9000 standard extends the reach of ISO 9000 through an additional 163 requirements. Semiconductor supplement certification is a required part of the QS 9000 standard that involves meeting 58 industry-specific requirements beyond those required for QS 9000.
Communications and information processing system developer ARINC Inc.'s System Integration Engineering Department , Annapolis, MD, has received ISO 9001 certification for its aircraft and systems modifications operations.
Frequency control product manufacturer Isotemp Research Inc. , Charlottesville, VA, has been registered to the ISO 9001 quality system standard.
E&E Sales , Chandler, AZ, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Founded by Elliott Bond, the company's products include turnkey electronic subassemblies. The company has also changed its e-mail address to eesales@aol.com.
Electronic material manufacturer Brush Wellman Inc.'s Ceramic Division , Cleveland, OH, has received patent number 5,686,676 entitled "Process for Making Improved Copper/Tungsten Composites." The new technology employs a press-and-sinter method that produces net-shaped material.
FINANCIAL NEWS
Andrew Corp. reports sales of $869.5 M for the year, ended September 30, 1997, compared to $766 M in 1996. Net income was $90.4 M (98¢/share) in 1996. Sales were $232.6 M for the fourth quarter, compared to $230.2 M for the same period in 1996.
Aeroflex Inc. reports sales of $29.3 M for the second quarter, ended December 31, 1997, compared to $22.9 M for the same period in 1996. Net income was $1.7 M (11¢/share), compared to $893 K (7¢/share) for the same period in 1996.
ANADIGICS Inc. reports sales of $102.5 M for the year, ended December 31, 1997, compared to $68.9 M in 1996. Net income was $12 M (97¢/share) in 1996. Sales were $28 M for the fourth quarter, compared to $22.4 M for the same period in 1996.
Microwave Power Devices Inc. reports sales of $52 M for the year, ended December 31, 1997, compared to $47.4 M in 1996. Net loss was $5.6 M (54¢/share) in 1996. Sales were $15.8 M for the fourth quarter, compared to $13.6 M for the same period in 1996.
Semiconductor Packaging Materials Co. Inc. (SPM) reports sales of $13.5 M for the third quarter, ended September 30, 1997, compared to $8.7 M for the same period in 1996. Net income was $1.2 M (19¢/share), compared to $1.3 M (21¢/share) for the same period in 1996. In related news, the company has received authorization to repurchase up to $2 M worth of SEMX common stock on the open market. Shares repurchased under the program will be held as treasury shares that can be reissued in the future pursuant to SPM's stock option programs.
American Technical Ceramics Corp. reports sales of $10.9 M for the second quarter, ended December 31, 1997, compared to $8.6 M for the second quarter in 1996. Net income was $1.5 M (39¢/common share), compared to $717 K (18¢/common share) for the second quarter in 1996.
Ansoft Corp. reports sales of $6.3 M for the second quarter, ended October 31, 1997, compared to $3.3 M for the same period in 1996. Net income was $896 K (9¢/share), compared to $333 K (4¢/share) for the same period in 1996. In related news, Ansoft has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission proposing a public offering of 3,500,000 shares of common stock plus an additional 525,000 shares to be sold by the company if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option. Net proceeds will be used for working capital purposes, rapaying debts and other general corporate purposes, such as possible acquisitions.
CONTRACTS
Honeywell Space Systems' Satellite Systems Operation , Phoenix, AZ, has met a major International Space Station (ISS) delivery milestone with the shipment of the 49th flight multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM). Two remaining units will be delivered in the near future. The delivery culminates Honeywell's $240 M development contract with Boeing to provide the 51 MDM flight units for placement throughout the ISS spacecraft. The contract also called for 74 MDM ground hardware units, 66 MDM application test environment units, and various test units and miscellaneous spares.
Tracor Aerospace Inc. , a subsidiary of Tracor Inc. in Lansdale, PA, has announced that its Tracor Aerospace Electronic Systems Inc. operating unit has received a $60 M contract to manufacture 120 AN/ALQ-99 band 9/10 transmitters for the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD. The transmitters are expected to improve the tactical jamming capability of the AN/ALQ-99 jamming system aboard the US Navy's EA-6B aircraft. The contract includes options for 61 additional transmitters and spares, potentially increasing its value to $91 M.
RF Micro Devices Inc. , Greensboro, NC, has been awarded production contracts to supply advanced 3 V power amplifiers for Nokia's new series of Global System for Mobile communications-based handsets. The handsets are expected to set new global standards for standby time (up to 450 hours) and talk time (up to eight hours).
PERSONNEL
Todd Durant has been named president of ARC Technologies. Durant is a cofounder of the company and formerly was VP, business development.
Digital Microwave Corp. has named Sam L. Smookler president and COO. Most recently, Smookler was president and COO of Signal Technology Corp.
Ernest J. DeVita has been appointed president of Florida RF Labs Inc. Prior to joining the company, DeVita was VP and GM as well as cofounder of Robinson Satellite Communications.
Narda Microwave-East has made a number of personnel appointments, including Vinod Chitkara as VP, sales and marketing; John C. Stine as director, quality assurance; and Kathy Joyce as human resources manager. Previously, Chitkara was VP, sales; Stine was manager of quality assurance at Lockheed Martin Electronic Systems; and Joyce was personnel supervisor at Hartman Systems. In related news, Edward E. Aslan , principal engineer at Narda, has been elected a Fellow of the IEEE for his pioneering work in the instrumentation and measurement of hazardous electromagnetic fields.
Following a repositioning of its management team, Ortel Corp. has made several personnel announcements, including George Holmes as VP, worldwide sales; Bill Moore as GM, broadband communications sector; John Rinks as VP and GM, satellite communications/government business sector; and Norman Kwong as GM, telecom business sector. Larry Stark , VP of the company, will spearhead the worldwide strategic marketing activities.
Northrop Grumman Corp. has announced several senior management appointments at its Electronic Sensors and Systems Division, including James F. Pitts as VP, engineering and manufacturing; Robert W. DuBeau as VP, avionics systems; Robert H. Thompson as director and executive program manager for the joint strike fighter (JSF) program; and Francis K. Holian as VP, oceanic and naval systems. Most recently, Pitts was VP, avionics systems; DuBeau was director and executive program manager for the JSF program; Thompson was manager of advanced programs; and Holian was VP, antisubmarine warfare and ship systems.
Richardson Electronics Ltd. has announced two appointments at its Solid State & Components Strategic Business Unit, including Norm Hilgendorf as VP and GM, and Kevin Connor as VP, sales. Most recently, Hilgendorf was business unit manager for the company's wireless products and Connor was worldwide marketing manager.
K&L Microwave Inc. has named Stuart "Ted" Rankin sales engineer in the Wireless Products Division. Rankin has 15 years of experience working with filters and filter-based subassemblies for commercial, military and high reliability space applications, including work at Narda Microwave-West as a sales engineer.
Patrick E. McMahon has been named director, contract manufacturer sales at CTS Corp. In this capacity, McMahon will develop a corporatewide plan for coordinating CTS' manufacturers representatives, distributors and company business units.
Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, has appointed James C. Korcuba director of business development for the company's Mission and Space Electronics Division. Most recently, Korcuba was responsible for business development at Sanders Telecommunications Systems.
Lorch Microwave has named John Devlin VP and GM of the company, and Mark Oluvic regional sales manager. Formerly, Devlin was marketing manager and Oluvic was manufacturing manager.
Delta Microwave has announced several organizational changes due to the retirement of VP Chester Rowley . Ryan Schulz , former senior applications engineer, has been promoted to sales manager. In addition, Mary E. LeVoy has joined the company's management team as senior contract administrator and sales and marketing representative. Formerly, LeVoy held positions at Datron Systems Inc. and Microwave Products Inc.
REP APPOINTMENTS
Addelco Corp. , Needham, MA, has been appointed the New England representative for Microwave dB Inc. , Newbury Park, CA, and will market Microwave dB's line of solid-state microwave amplifiers and components, integrated subsystems and wireless assemblies, microwave communications antennas and associated products.
Power amplifier supplier Chesapeake Microwave Technologies Inc. , Glen Rock, PA, has appointed E. Reid Miller Corp. , Saratoga, CA, to represent its products in northern California.
Electromechanical switch manufacturer Dow-Key Microwave Corp. , Ventura, CA, has appointed J-Squared Marketing Inc. to market its products in Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Fort Wane, IN; and S&S Technology to market its products in southern California.
Nearfield Systems Inc. , Carson, CA, has signed Matrix Engineering Inc. of Baltimore as an exclusive representative of its line of antenna measurement products in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
Sprague-Goodman Electronics Inc. , Westbury, NY, has appointed three new sales representatives to market its trimmer capacitor and specialty inductor lines. Micro Lambda Inc. , Clarksburg, NJ and Pasadena, MD, will provide coverage in southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC; Odyssey 1 , Phoenix, AZ, will provide coverage in Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso County, TX; and Integrated Electronics Oy Ab will provide coverage in Finland.
Waveline Inc. , Fairfield, NJ, has appointed two companies to represent its products, including The Thorson Co. , Dallas, TX, for representation in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas; and Central Tech Sales , Florissant, MO, for representation in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.
NEW MARKET ENTRIES
Intarsia Corp. , San Jose, CA, is a new company formed by Dow Chemical Co. and Flextronics International to produce thin-film integrated passive components. Building on the passive component and interconnect technologies of the two parent companies, Intarsia has begun producing integrated passive components ranging from simple resistor networks for digital termination to RF functional blocks for wireless applications.
Liberty Telecom LLC is a new company formed by Sokoloff & Co. and Liberty Lease Finance Inc. to provide lease financing to a wide range of telecommunications companies. Liberty Telecom will consider lease requests in any amount from $1 M to $25 M.
Vectron International , a subsidiary of Dover Technologies located in Norwalk, CT, has established a new company to market frequency control products worldwide. Vectron International Technology Express (VITE) will focus on providing high volume, competitively priced standard crystals and crystal oscillator products, and will target original electronic equipment manufacturers. The products will be manufactured by Vectron International world-class partners and suppliers in the Far East. Ron Stephens, former GM of the Vectron Labs Division , will head VITE, which will have sales offices on both the East and West Coasts. The new company is located at 166 Glover Ave., Norwalk, CT 06856-5160 (888) 835-8483, fax (714) 488-9663.
WEB SITES
Alpha Industries , Woburn, MA, has updated its Web site to include new product information, application notes, a corporate overview, employment opportunities, data sheets and investor relations. The site can be accessed at http://www.alphaind.com.
Radio Research Instrument Co. Inc. , Waterbury, CT, has created a new Web site at http://www.techexpo.com/WWW/radiores that describes the company's inventory of microwave sources and components. An additional site at http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/navigation/radiores/ overviews the company's radar systems.
Specialty electronic component distributor Richardson Electronics Ltd. , LaFox, IL, has launched an online electronic catalog that enables users to search a product database of more than 100,000 parts used in a number of niche markets. RELL Online is accessible through the company's Web site at http://www.rell.com. The site features part number searching, parametric searching, source-related part information and product data sheets.