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Strategies & Market Trends : Electronic Contract Manufacture (ECM) Sector -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rob Preuss who wrote (1135)	1/19/1998 11:47:00 AM
From: Joe Dancy	Respond to of 2542

At the end of this week it looks like we will have a better feel of how Asia may impact the players Rob. Thanks for the chart. The following was released today, although Frost & Sullivan released a study a month or so ago on ECM's so this may or may not be part of it: Copyright 1998 PR Newswire Association, Inc. PR Newswire January 19, 1998, Monday - 08:04 Eastern Time Frost & Sullivan - Contract Manufacturing and New Components Drive Growth In Surface Mount Technology Market Although a slowdown in capital equipment occurred during the early part of the decade, sales are on the rise in the surface mount technology (SMT) market, and this growth trend is expected to continue. As the market recovers, manufacturers are opting to focus on customer service in order to retain and win accounts. According to strategic research by Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com), World SMT Manufacturing Equipment, market revenues are forecast to grow from almost $3.3 billion in 1997 to over $8.8 billion in 2004. "The fastest growing geographic regions are North America and the Pacific Rim, and the contract manufacturing market and new components configuration is driving this growth," said Matt Saltz, Frost & Sullivan SMT analyst. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 19 Market trends in the SMT industry include increased complexity and miniaturization of electronic components, faster assembly process and increased manufacturing of high quality, reliable electronics. Technologically, PCB manufacturers are relying on the information generated from automated inspection equipment software for process control, and more new components on the market are leading to heavy growth in fine-pitch and ball-grid-array equipment. Price/Performance ratio is of the utmost importance since the market for most products generates low profit margins. ***** Also, interesting article on a new market for LED's in of all things traffic signals provided they can get the colors right: members.aol.com - HP announced several months ago a new design for LED's if I recall incorporating flip chip or chip on flex design. Will be holding my breath this week for ECM earnings. Best - Joe