Dave Sherman
Dave Sherman passed away on July 16, 2006, in Wildomar, CA. Sherman was employed at Lark Engineering in June of 2001 as vice president of sales and marketing and was promoted in September 2002 to executive vice president. A provider of inspiration and motivation for the company’s sales reps, he was also heavily involved with Lark’s marketing and ad campaigns. A catalyst in many venues, he inspired and implemented effective techniques that continue to be utilized daily.
L-3 Communications announced that it has agreed to acquire Nova Engineering for $45 M in cash, plus an additional purchase price not to exceed $10 M that is contingent upon Nova’s future financial performance. The business is expected to generate annual sales of approximately $40 M for the year ending December 31, 2007, and will be included in L-3’s Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C3ISR) reportable segment. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2006, subject to customary closing conditions, and to be slightly accretive to L-3’s earnings for 2006.
Sirenza Microdevices Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Micro Linear Corp., headquartered in San Jose, CA. Under the terms of the agreement, 0.365 of a Sirenza share will be issued for each Micro Linear share, subject to potential adjustment. Based on Micro Linear’s fully diluted shares outstanding and Sirenza’s closing price on August 14, 2006, the transaction is currently valued at approximately $45.6 M.
Planar Electronics Technology announced the recent acquisition of Planar Filter Co. This acquisition will allow Planar Electronics Technology to continue supplying filters, switch filter banks and filter assemblies to the RF/microwave community.
The Micromanipulator Co. announced that Flywheel Ventures, a New Mexico-based venture capital firm, has acquired a majority interest in the company for an undisclosed amount from its current owner, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). In addition to the transfer of interest, the company will also receive a direct $1 M cash infusion from Flywheel to support future growth and acquisitions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
E2G Partners LLC, Cincinnati, OH, announced it completed the acquisition of the assets of Tampa Microwave Lab Inc. (TMLI), a provider of microwave products for satellite communication systems. The company will continue to do business under its current name at its current facilities in Tampa, FL.
QUALCOMM Inc. announced that it will acquire San Diego, CA-based Qualphone Inc., a provider of IP-based Multimedia Subsystems embedded client software solutions for mobile devices and interoperability testing services. The acquisition of Qualphone’s products and resources will help QUALCOMM further accelerate the delivery of multimedia-capable, feature-rich 3G solutions on top of the emerging IMS and multimedia domain architectures to WCDMA/UMTS and CDMA2000“ markets.
Unity Wireless Corp. closed its acquisition of Celletra Ltd., an Israel-based supplier of coverage enhancement solutions for 2G and 3G wireless networks. Terms of the acquisition were unchanged from the initial terms announced on July 19, 2006.
Ducommun Inc. announced that its Ducommun Technologies Inc. (DTI) subsidiary has opened and begun production in its new manufacturing facility in Thailand. Initial production supports DTI’s high performance and high reliability commercial microwave switches to service the growing demands in the US and other international markets. The facility is located in Saraburi, approximately two hours north of Bangkok. DTI is developing the site to accommodate future expansion of the facility as required to meet the growing needs of the marketplace.
Freescale Semiconductor is expanding its India operations with a new 100,000 square-foot facility in Bangalore to support Freescale’s research and development in software for wireless technologies. This follows the company’s recent acquisition of a 300,000 square-foot campus in Noida to support expansion plans.
Cree Inc. announced that its newly opened 230,000 square-foot engineering and production facility in Research Triangle Park, NC is operational. The new facility is producing the company’s advanced electronic devices based on silicon carbide and gallium nitride.
Andrew Corp. has opened a new manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic for the production of base station antennas for wireless operators in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The new Brno plant is a significant expansion of Andrew’s European presence and enhances the company’s ability to support locally the network requirements of customers in the region. The facility is closely tied to the EMEA product design center in Scotland that Andrew established in 2005 to provide region-specific design, qualification and system specification services.
NuSil Technology, a manufacturer of silicone-based materials for healthcare, aerospace, electronics and photonics, announced that it has opened its first technical support office in Asia. This office will specialize in the areas of optoelectronics and electronic packaging, served by the company’s Lightspan products and its line of low outgassing electronic packaging materials, respectively. T.Y. Lim, the application engineer heading the office in Penang, Malaysia, will support all of NuSil’s customers, distributors and representatives in Asia.
Ansoft Corp. announced that Nexxim,“ the company’s circuit simulation software for high performance IC design and signal integrity analysis, has been accepted into the Cadence Design Systems Inc. Connections“ Program. The integration of Nexxim into the Cadence Virtuoso“ Analog Design Environment allows designers of complex DigitalRF CMOS ICs and GaAs/SiGe RFICs to gain access to Ansoft’s new circuit simulation technology, without the costs and risks associated with changing design methodologies.
The Ethernet Alliance, an industry group dedicated to the continued success and expansion of Ethernet technology, announced that the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 working group has formed the Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) to evaluate the requirements for the next generation of Ethernet technology.
PSI-TEC Corp. announced that it has established a co-location agreement with a New Jersey-based micro-optics company. The agreement has allowed PSI-TEC scientists to establish a pre-production line in order to test and integrate its organic materials into waveguide devices and system prototypes as a first step toward product commercialization.
Keithley Instruments Inc. announced a new partnership agreement with TestMart Inc. The agreement authorizes TestMart to present a catalog of Keithley’s precision test and measurement equipment as well as government marketplace services for Keithley to meet the needs of federal customers.
picoChip announced it has signed a development partnership agreement with China GrenTech. Based on picoChip WiMAX software-upgradeable technology, China GrenTech will develop radio frequency solutions. The two companies will work together in the joint development to complete WiMAX solutions targeted at the wideband wireless access market.
M2 Global Technology Ltd. announced that it has been awarded AS9100 certification. M2 Global has met the stringent requirements necessary for this international aerospace quality system standard for aerospace industry suppliers, ensuring customers that the company meets the highest quality standards.
Innovative Micro Technology (IMT), a contract manufacturer for MEMS, announced that it has received ISO 9001:2000 certification from Det Norske Veritas. The formal certification reflects IMT’s commitment to continuous process improvement and delivering the highest level of quality and customer satisfaction.
K&L Microwave Inc., part of Dover Corp.’s Microwave Products Group,“ has received ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). Implementing an ISO-certified EMS greatly improves the company’s ability to manage environmental issues, and demonstrates sound environmental management.
JFW Industries announced that it complies with the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC. The company has completed the implementation of all required changes in its production and purchasing departments and its engineers have approved all new RoHS compliant materials, components and finished products. In the future, JFW will continue to offer non-compliant versions of all products for customers that require it.
Aperto Networks announced that its PacketMAX™ family of customer premise equipment has achieved WiMAX Forum™ certification.
Modular Components National (MCN), headquartered in Forest Hill, MD, marks its 25 year milestone in the design and development of microwave products and technology. Over the last 20 years, MCN has continued to expand manufacturing operations in Forest Hill, as well as increased capacity through acquisitions. In 2006, MCN will begin construction of a new 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on a recently acquired six-acre site adjacent to corporate headquarters in Maryland. This purchase follows over $3 M of capital equipment purchases over the last three years.
Dow-Key Microwave Corp., part of Dover Corp.’s Microwave Products Group,“ was named a Lockheed Martin Corp. STAR Supplier award winner within the Electronic Systems business area.
Jacket Micro Devices Inc. announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent No. 7,068,124 — “Integrated Passive Devices Fabricated Utilizing Multi-layer Organic Laminates.” This patent was awarded to JMD’s founders for their invention of a key technology used in JMD’s Multi-layer Organic (MLO™) packaging and module production process.
RFMD® announced that the company has commenced mass production shipments of its RF3159 linear EDGE power amplifier to Samsung Electronics for use in at least 15 EDGE-enabled handsets.
Financial News
Silicon Laboratories Inc. reports sales of $123.5 M for the second quarter ended July 1, 2006, compared to $107.2 M for the same period in 2005. Net income for the quarter was $10.1 M ($0.18/per diluted share), compared to a net income of $15.6 M ($0.28/per diluted share) for the second quarter of last year.
ANADIGICS Inc. reports sales of $40.2 M for the second quarter ended July 1, 2006, compared to $23.9 M for the same period in 2005. Net loss for the quarter was $2.8 M ($0.06/per share), compared to a net loss of $9.1 M ($0.27/per share) for the second quarter of last year.
Superconductor Technologies Inc. reports sales of $5 M for the second quarter ended July 1, 2006, compared to $8.6 M for the same period in 2005. Net loss for the second quarter was $22.7 M ($1.82/per diluted share), compared to $2 M ($0.19/per diluted share) for the second quarter of last year.
WJ Communications Inc. reports sales of $12.4 M for the second quarter ended July 2, 2006, compared to $4 M for the same period in 2005. Net loss for the second quarter was $1.3 M ($0.02/per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $7.8 M ($0.12/per diluted share) for the second quarter of last year.
Personnel
Gary Moore
EMS Technologies Inc. announced that Gerald Hickman, senior vice president and general manager of its EMS Wireless division, is retiring from the business. Paul Domorski, president and chief executive officer, reported that the company has begun a search for Hickman’s replacement, and that Domorski would act as the division’s general manager in the interim period.
Robert “Tony” Grimes has been named president of Continental Electronics. Grimes is responsible for all day-to-day operations and brings a background in business management and program planning for wireless products. Grimes’s background includes more than 20 years of engineering design, marketing and sales, organizational development and presidential leadership. He comes to Continental after serving as president of TRAK Microwave Corp. and on the board of directors for Radyne Corp.
Gary Moore has been promoted to the position of vice president of sales and marketing for EMC Technology and Florida RF Labs. Moore has been associated with Florida RF Labs for over 18 years and EMC since 2001. In his previous position as director of sales — Americas, Moore made a substantial and significant positive impact on both businesses. Prior career positions he has held include director of sales and marketing at Delta Electronics Mfg. Corp. and regional sales manager for Solitron/Microwave.
Gregg Pollack
Palco Connector Inc., an affiliate of the Phoenix Co. of Chicago, has announced the appointment of Gregg Pollack as director of sales and marketing. Located in Naugatuck, CT, Palco is a designer and manufacturer of RF and microwave coaxial connectivity solutions. These include a full range of catalog and custom connectors, cable assemblies and integrated coaxial subassemblies. Pollack brings extensive experience in the RF and microwave industry to this position. He may be reached at (603) 431-1414 or e-mail: gpollack@palcoconnector.com.
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has named William Melvin as director of its Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory (SEAL). He replaces Robert Trebits, who retired in May after a distinguished 35-year career with GTRI, including 15 years as director of SEAL. An expert in signal processing and aerospace radar systems, Melvin has been with GTRI for eight years, most recently as director of SEAL’s Adaptive Sensor Technology Project Office.
Rep Appointments
Digi-Key Corp. and Amphenol® Connex Connector Corp. announced the signing of a global distribution agreement. Amphenol Connex designs, manufactures and distributes RF connectors, interfaces, crimp tools and accessories. Among Amphenol Connex products stocked by Digi-Key are its RF connectors, including BNC, SMA, TNC and N-type connectors along with corresponding tools and accessories. These products are available for purchase directly from Digi-Key through both its print and on-line catalogs.
Tundra Semiconductor Corp. announced that it has signed Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas as a value-added distributor in North America, expanding Tundra’s product and support delivery to customers in the region. Avnet will now promote, supply and support Tundra System Interconnect products throughout North America.
SemiconductorStore.com, a design-oriented eCommerce site that is helping design engineers research and buy electronic components on-line, announced that it has signed an agreement to add Integrated Device Technology Inc. (IDT™) to its expanding on-line offering. Under the terms of the agreement, SemiconductorStore.com is authorized to promote and sell the complete lineup of products from IDT to their worldwide customer base of design engineers and procurement professionals.
Reactel Inc., a manufacturer of RF and microwave filters, multiplexers, switched filter banks and sub-assemblies to the commercial, military, industrial and medical industries, announced the appointment of T & E Repco as the company’s representative in FL, GA, AL, NC, SC and TN. For more information about T & E Repco, please visit www.microwaves.com/t&erepco.html or call Ernie DeVita at (561) 630-7330.
TRAK Microwave Corp. announced the appointment of Castle Microwave Ltd. as the company’s exclusive sales representative in the United Kingdom. Castle Microwave will represent TRAK products including RF and microwave multi-function assemblies, frequency sources and converters, ferrite and signal control devices, and time and frequency systems. Castle Microwave can be contacted at +44 (0)1635 271300 or e-mail: sales@castlemicrowave.com.
Mica Microwave announced the appointment of Novacom Microwave Ltd. as its exclusive sales representative in the United kingdom, Scotland and northern Ireland. Novacom Microwave can be contacted at Unit 6, The Green, Nettleham Lincoln, LN2 2NR +44 1522 751 136, fax: +44 1522 754408 or e-mail: sales@novacom-mwave.com.
Modelithics Inc. announced that it will be represented in Scandinavia by MTT Components & Systems AB, a division of AGETO AB located in Täby, Sweden.
MI Technologies announced it has selected Actions and Services to provide sales and Cal Info Mesure to provide service for the company’s line of RF and microwave test and measurement products to customers in France.
Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. announced the expansion of the company’s North American distribution agreement with Micrel Inc. into Greater China. In addition to North America, this partnership now includes demand creation and fulfillment of Micrel’s analog, high bandwidth and Ethernet products in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
DesignAdvance™ Systems Inc., a developer of innovative design automation software for users of EDA and MCAD tools, announced its entrance into the Chinese PCB design market with the appointment of Shenzhen EDA Technologies Co. Ltd. as a distribution partner. Shenzhen EDA Technologies, an engineering software company, provides industry-specific solutions to the PCB and IC markets.
Web sites
Labtech Ltd. has launched a new look web site (www.labtechmicrowave.com) to promote its wide range of products and enhance its customer service. The broadband microwave components and microwave manufacturing specialist supplies the defense, space, SATCOM and telecommunication markets. The site features the latest company news, data sheets and product sheets on its portfolio, including the new range of thin dielectric material (TDM) modules, low cost standard amplifiers and detector log video amplifiers (DLVA). Also, a customer access portal is being developed to provide real time order status information.
Networks International Corp. (NIC) announced the launch of the company’s new corporate web site at www.nickc.com. The new site reinforces NIC’s commitment to expand its brand name and provide a dynamic environment for its customers to understand its products and capabilities.
Chelton Telecom & Microwave has launched a brand new web site (www.chelton-tm.com) that focuses on its complete portfolio of RF and microwave systems and components. Detailed information is given on the company’s five product ranges—systems, diodes and modules, RF filters and duplexers, ferrite devices, and waveguides. From the Home Page users can easily search for products under specific applications—telecom, space, defense and medical—individual product ranges, technologies or frequencies.