AROUND THE CIRCUIT
INDUSTRY NEWS
* Taconic announced that the closing of Rogers' acquisition of Taconic, which the parties had hoped would occur by the end of April, did not occur. The parties have encountered important differences over key terms in their agreement , and at this point it is not anticipated that the acquisition will be completed. Accordingly, Taconic will continue to carry on business independently as one of the world's leading suppliers of fluoropolymer microwave laminates.
* TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. and Sawtek Inc. announced the execution of a definitive agreement for the companie s to merge. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Sawtek will receive 1.1507 shares of TriQuint Semiconductor common stock for each share of Sawtek common stock. The transaction will have an estimated value, on a fully diluted basis, of approximately $1.3 B.
* EMS Technologies Inc. acquired CI Wireless Inc., a supplier of repeaters and other wireless signal distribution products. The move is designed to further enhance the EMS Wireless Division's strong market position as an RF solutions leader. Terms of the acquisition were not announced.
* Sonik Technologies Corp., a subsidiary of Vytek Wireless Inc., has acquired the Broadband Wireless Spread Spectrum product line of RadioConnect Corp. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
* Comtech Telecommunications Corp. completed the purchase of the commercial satellite, medical and government RF microwave product line from MPD Technologies Inc. and merged it into its Comtech PST Corp. subsidiary located in Melville, NY. The combined product line and capabilities give Comtech PST enhanced product offerings and market presence in the satellite and medical areas as well as its traditional defense markets.
* The Wireless Division at Marconi purchased Northwood Technologies Inc. The transaction values Northwood at approximated $42 M (Canadian).
* Multitest AG, a manufacturer of semiconductor test handlers, announced a strategic decision to join Everett Charles Technologies (ECT). ECT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dover Technologies and Dover Corp. Multitest will continue to be directed by its present management team.
* TRW created a new company, Velocium, that will provide high speed InP and GaAs components and other products of fiber optic and wireless telecommunications systems. Establishing Velocium as a separate business leverages TRW's investment in bringing its advanced semiconductor capabilities to the commercial markets by enabling an intense focus on these markets. In related news, Hitachi Ltd. and Velocium have signed a joint development agreement to design and develop high efficiency power amplifier modules for 3G wireless handsets and other wireless devices. Hitachi will manufacture the modules using Velocium's technology-leading InP semiconductors.
* Mitel Corp. has introduced a new global identity, Zarlink Semiconductor, under which it will deliver communications connectivity solutions to leaders in voice and data networking. The Zarlink brand is the latest step in recent months to build a competitive force in communications ICs.
* e-tenna Corp., a subsidiary of The Titan Corp., opened a new state-of-the-art antenna testing and research and development facility in Laurel, MD. The 10,000 square foot facility houses a Satimo test chamber, which enables the most accurate and rapid measurements of antenna performance available and is the first of its kind in the US. e-tenna is a developer of unique RF technologies that advance broadband wireless connectivity.
* Decibel Products, an Allen Telecom company, began operations in its newest customer service center (CSC) in Boise, ID. This is the fourth CSC that the company has opened in four years, with the others located in Livermore, CA, Knoxville, TN and Dallas, TX. The new location will assist customers with cable, connectors, antennas and associated hardware, and will service an area spanning Oregon, Washington, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
* Trilithic Inc. has expanded its Indianapolis headquarters and added 127 new high paying jobs. The new $5.6 M state-of-the-art headquarters will allow the company to increase production. The new jobs are expected to be added by 2003.
* Labtech, part of the Intelek Group, has opened a MMIC assembly facility at its headquarters in Presteigne, Wales. The facility will be used to assemble single chip and multi-chip modules for radio links used in cellular phone networks and LMDS systems.
* IFR Systems Inc. has expanded its Scandinavian operation with the opening of a new sales office in Skive, Denmark. The full address of the new office is Oestertorv 12s, 7800 Skive, Denmark.
* Andrew Corp. opened a dedicated technical support center in Sorocoba, Brazil. The new center gives Andrew customers telephone and on-line technical support and is staffed by experienced technical personnel. Support is available in Spanish, Portuguese or English.
* Sheldahl Inc. and GIL Technologies Inc. have entered into a joint development effort to produce high performance, thin, reinforced roll-to-roll circuitry. This project is expected to generate a new breed of products that will both lower costs and improve performance for RF/microwave components, high speed digital circuits and IC packages used in a wide range of high technology industries.
* Anritsu Co. reached an agreement with Wireless Valley Communications whereby Anritsu's Site Master MS2711A handheld spectrum analyzer will feature Wireless Valley's SitePlanner® engineering systems. The agreement combines an industry leading handheld measurement instrument with top software packages for designing, measuring and maintaining in-building, campus-wide, and microcell wireless communications systems.
* TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. and Atmel® will cooperate in the design, manufacture and marketing of integrated solutions for the CDMA handset market. The joint development project, named CDMA345, is currently developing a complete RF chipset solution for CDMA handsets.
* Radio Frequency Investigation (RFI) Ltd. announced the second in a series of partnerships with IVT Corp. to develop and enhance its Bluetooth services. RFI will use IVT's conformance and interoperability testers, implementing a unique software solution, for Bluetooth testing at its Basingstoke and Thatcham facilities.
* Applied Wave Research (AWR) signed a worldwide software licensing agreement with Ericsson Microwave Systems AB. The agreement provides all of Ericsson and its affiliates worldwide with a pre-negotiated licensing agreement for all of AWR's products, including Microwave Office. In related news, AWR has entered into a long term strategic alliance with P&H Technology Consultants to integrate simulation with test to provide a complete verification suite. SoftPlot for Microwave Office supports a wide variety of equipment types, including network analyzers, modulation analyzers and oscilloscopes.
* Atmel Corp. and Stanford Microdevices entered into a joint development agreement whereby the two companies will collaborate on the design and development of wireless communications products based on Atmel's advanced SiGe technology. The companies plan to exchange design, packaging and test-related intellectual property to accelerate the introduction of innovative new products to their complementary high volume consumer and wireless infrastructure markets.
* Agilent Technologies Inc. has selected Electro Rent as a premier rental partner (PRP) to represent a comprehensive inventory of the latest Agilent test and measurement equipment in the explosive short term rental market. Agilent chose Electro Rent after a rigorous evaluation of the company's logistical capabilities, technical expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction.
* ANADIGICS Inc. announced production orders and pre-production shipments of two of the companies CDMA power amplifier module products to a leading CDMA handset manufacturer. The model AWT6105 and model AWT6106 are the first in a new series of InGaP HBT power amplifier modules that provide low and high band operation for CDMA handsets. ANADIGICS expects this design win to ramp in the 2H01 and estimates approximately $20 to $25 M in revenue for 2002.
* Channel Master LLC received ISO 9001 registration for the design, manufacture and supply of direct broadcast satellite, broadband satellite, terrestrial microwave and broadcast reception products. This registration encompasses all US activities, including research and development, engineering, manufacturing operations and administrative functions.
* Texas Instruments RDIC Systems, BiStar Technologies and SCS Corp. have endorsed the UCC/EAN GTAG initiative, which recognizes the need for a worldwide RFID solution suitable for a broad range of logistics applications.
* The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has honored Alpha Industries for its implementation of lean manufacturing techniques throughout the state. The company was presented with a proclamation signed by former Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci.
* Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that its miniature film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) duplexer, a critical component used to separate incoming communications from outgoing communications in mobile phones, has earned EDN Magazine's 2000 Innovation of the Year award. The awards program is dedicated to honoring outstanding engineering professionals and products in the electronics industry.
FINANCIAL NEWS
* Andrew Corp. reports sales of $251.5 M for the second quarter ended March 31, compared to $220.0 M for the same period last year. Net income was $8.2 M (10¢/share) compared to $17.3 M (21¢/share) for the second quarter of 2000.
* American Technical Ceramics reports sales of $23.36 M for the third quarter ended March 31, compared to $18.47 M for the same period last year. Net income was $2.96 M (37¢/share) compared to $3.20 M (42¢/share) for the third quarter of 2000.
* SEMX Corp. reports sales of $19.4 M for the first quarter ended March 31, compared to $16.4 M for the same period last year. Net loss was $143 K (5¢/share) compared to $843 K (14¢/share) for the first quarter of 2001.
* Ansoft Corp. reports sales of $14.1 M for the fourth quarter ended April 30, compared to $10.8 M for the same period last year. Pro forma net income was $2.4 M (19¢/share) compared to $1.7 M (13¢/share) for the fourth quarter of 2000.
* Merrimac Industries Inc. reports sales of $6.09 M for the first quarter ended March 31, compared to $4.91 M for the same period last year. Net loss was $31 K (1¢/share) compared to $164 K (9¢/share) for the first quarter of 2001.
CONTRACTS
* Mu-Del Electronics Inc. was recently awarded a $3.4 M contract by ITT Industries. This two-year contract is to provide the receiver frequency generator and pulse forming circuits for a new ITT radar program.
* LCC International Inc. has been selected by China's Unicom Horizon Mobile Communications Corporations Limited to provide design services for its nationwide wireless network. The initial contract, valued at approximately $600 K, calls for LCC to assist Unicom in developing the design guidelines for its system and to perform the actual planning.
* M/A-COM SIGINT Products has received a contract award by the Department of Defense for 71 microwave receivers with an option for up to 71 more. Major specifications called for a collection and analysis receiver with superior BER performance. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
PERSONNEL
* The Board of Directors at SEMX Corp. elected Frank J. Polese president and chief executive officer. Previously, Polese served as vice chairman of the company and president of its Microelectronic Packaging group. * Trilithic Inc. named Bruce G. Malcolm chairman and chief executive officer and Terry W. Bush president of a leading manufacturer of RF and microwave components and instruments for the cable television industry. Malcolm founded Trilithic in 1987 and has been president of the company since its inception. Bush was formerly VP of the company's Instruments Division. * Michael W. Offik has been appointed VP, sales and marketing at MI Technologies. Offik will have worldwide responsibility for the company's sales and marketing activities, including managing the direct sales effort, representation and distributor networks and its marketing and marketing communications initiatives. * Electro-Radiation Inc. (ERI) named Edward J. Kelly VP of business development. Kelly will be responsible for driving the company's business development and marketing initiatives. * IFR Systems Inc. appointed Tonni Brammer Scandinavian Sales Manager to head up the newly opened Skive, Denmark sales office. Previously, Brammer was based at Stantronic. * RLC Electronics Inc. appointed Gene Landis general manager. Landis joins the company from RFI Corp., where he was VP and general manager. * RIFOCS Corp. named Andy Silverman its new information technology manager. Silverman will manage all aspects of the company's network infrastructure, from day-to-day operations to long term strategic planning. In related news, the company also named Carolyn Goldsborough its new human resources manager. Goldsborough will assist management in defining and meeting its overall goals and objectives. |
WEB SITES
* Unitek Equipment launched a next generation Web site, www.unitekequipment.com, featuring a comprehensive technical support section and enhanced search features, in turn providing easier access to product and applications process information. The technical support section on the site has been expanded to include frequently asked questions, an electronic version of the very popular slide rule troubleshooting guide and a link to the "Weld Wizard," which enables visitors to contact the company's product engineers to ask for more detailed, specific questions about products and applications.
* Space Electronics, a part of Maxwell Technologies Components Group (ECG), has overhauled its Web site. The redesigned site offers easier navigation, including a search function that cross-references all three ECG sites (www.spaceelectronics.com, www.powercache.com and www.sierrakd.com), as well as the new ECG portal site, www.electroniccomponents.com. The new Space Electronics site has an updated look and feel that is uniform with the sites of the other ECG divisions, and is more user-friendly.
* GE Electromaterials has launched www.GETEKconnect.com, designed for printed circuit board (PCB) design in a day. This on-line design center features breakthrough tools for complex PCB development. Design engineers will enjoy simplified GETEK® PCB design while meeting the cost and performance requirements of high speed digital, broadband and optoelectronic applications. Developed using Six Sigma methodology, the site integrates the life-cycle design process and a platform for supply-line management.
REP APPOINTMENTS
* Tensolite, a Carlisle company, recently named First Source Inc. as its National Distributor to handle both its Tensolite and Unitrex product lines. First Source will continue its distribution of Connecting Devices Inc. (CDI), a recent Tensolite acquisition. In related news, SRI Connector Gage named First Source as its National Distributor to carry its complete line of high frequency interconnects.
* CMC Wireless Components, Phoenix, AZ, has made a series of rep appointments. H. Bentz Electronics Ltd., Yavne, Israel, will cover Israel, while PRC-MEDs Technologies Pte. Ltd. will be responsible for Malaysia, Singapore, the Phillipines, Thailand and Taiwan. Semi Dice International will handle the Netherlands and Belgium.