32 The PCB Design Magazine • June 2014
PCB007
News Highlights
tion of the north american market. graphic PlC
bought CalFlex uSa last summer with plans to in-
crease its market reach into north america.
Advanced Circuits Marks 25 Years
in PCB Industry
"advanced Circuits has experienced consistent
growth since its establishment in 1989 and cur-
rently occupies a dominant market position with
the industry's largest customer database," said
President and Ceo John Yacoub.
MFLEx Sees Net Sales Drop 32%
Commenting on the company's business outlook,
reza Meshgin, Ceo, noted, "Based on the timing
and breadth of new programs expected to ramp
across our customer base, we continue to antici-
pate a significant increase in net sales and a return
to profitability, excluding impairment and restruc-
turing, in the fiscal fourth quarter."
Despite Loss, TTM Meets guidance;
Sees Demand in Q2
net sales for the first quarter of 2014 were $291.9
million compared to $366.1 million in the fourth
quarter of 2013, and $325.4 million in the first
quarter of 2013. First quarter 2013 included $23
million of revenue from TTM's SYe plant, in which
TTM sold its controlling equity interest during the
second quarter of 2013.
Sunstone Named Among Healthiest
oregon Employers
The company earned this award by launching a
formal wellness program to encourage healthy
lifestyles. By implementing a health incentive, em-
ployees who obtain biometric readings, undergo
a health risk assessment, and participate in the
"Wellness Bingo" challenge have the ability to
receive a reduction in their health insurance pre-
miums each month.
WUS, Schweizer Collaborate on
HF PCB Production
WuS Printed Circuits Co., ltd. and Schweizer
electronic ag concluded an exclusive long-term
agreement on the cooperation for the production
of high-frequency PCBs for the global automotive
and industrial market.
Viasystems' Sales Up 8.4%;
Q2 growth Expected
"While the markets we serve did not demonstrate
any significant strength, and in some instances
declined both year-over-year and sequentially, we
were able to generate net sales and earnings in line
with our first quarter expectations," said Ceo Da-
vid M. Sindelar. "in terms of our end markets, our
automotive, telecommunications, and military and
aerospace sectors performed as expected."
Speedy Circuits Looks West for
More Business Prospects
Speedy Circuits has seen a marked increase in out-
put of prototype PCBs at its board fabrication fa-
cility in Taiwan lately due to strong demand from
numerous iCT companies. Demand for hDi PCBs
in particular has been strong since it beefed up
its board fabricating capabilities two years ago
with the acquisition of several advanced process
-
ing equipment that include orbotech inCaM sys-
tems, Mitsubishi laser drill, orbotech lDis, and
more.
IPC: N.A. PCB Book-to-Bill Shows
Positive growth
"The book-to-bill ratio's climb and positive year-
on-year sales growth in March are encouraging
signs of a recovery ahead," said Sharon Starr, iPC's
director of market research. She cautioned, how
-
ever, that "the book-to-bill ratio has just reached
positive territory after six consecutive months
below 1.00. economic indicators are positive for
2014, but the PCB industry's recovery is develop
-
ing slowly."
HEI Suffers 53% Q1 Sales Drop
hei, inc. has announced unaudited financial re-
sults for the first quarter of 2014, which ended
March 29, 2014. Sales in the first quarter of 2014
were $5,944,000, compared to $12,516,000 in
the first quarter of 2013. The company generated
a net loss of $896,000 in the first quarter of 2014,
compared to a net income of $636,000 in the first
quarter of 2013.
graphic PLC Ups North American Presence
Scott Kohno, president of graphic uSa announced
that graphic PlC has begun its strategic penetra-
32 The PCB Design Magazine • June 2014
