IMI’s operating profit up 19 percent in 1H/2016

IMI posted USD 20.7 million in operating income for the period of January to June 2016; a 19 percent increase YoY, despite a slight decrease in revenues to USD 409.7 million (from USD 416.3 million).

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) president and chief operating officer Gilles Bernard says, “The improvement in operating income came about as we expanded business in higher-margin segments of automotive and industrial. Line productivity and cost saving programs also had a positive impact.” The company’s reported net income after tax for 1H/2016 of USD 15 million ; slightly lower by 1.4 percent year over year. Capital investments in the first half reached USD 23.2 million, mainly for Mexico, Bulgaria, China and the Philippines to support line expansion. Production volume ramp up in automotive and industrial lines will commence in the fourth quarter of the year. IMI’s Europe and Mexico operations recorded USD 153.4 million in revenues in 1H/2016 (an 11.5 percent improvement year over year) as the demand for automotive body controls and lighting systems that IMI assemble in Bulgaria and Czech Republic increased. In Mexico, revenues increased by 8.5 percent due to the strong performance of IMI’s plastic injection and assembly lines. The company’s China operations posted USD 130.4 million in revenues, down 10.7 percent year-on-year mainly due to weak performance of the consumer electronics lines. The telecommunications infrastructure business, however, grew 6.8 percent year-on-year. Revenues for IMI’s EMS operations in the Philippines remained flat at USD 109.6 million. Lines for automotive cameras, security and access controls, asset tag sensors, and lighting controls continued on the growth path, partially offsetting the weak storage device business. IMI chief executive officer Arthur Tan says, “We continue expanding our lines, preparing them for the next wave of positive trends. The relentless rise in technology innovations is giving businesses speed and agility, and driving performance to ensure business success. We are optimistic that IMI has what it takes to remain relevant and on top of tech developments and trends down the road".

Jenoptik is acquiring 100% of the shares in TRIOPTICS GmbH, a supplier of test equipment and manufacturing systems for optical components and sensors.

"Although the growth path of the global microelectronics market is intact, on a long-term trend-line, it declined by 12.1 percent to USD 412 billion in 2019," said Dr. Sven Baumann, ZVEI expert for microelectronics, sensors and actuators.

X-FAB Silicon Foundries announced the appointment of Jörg Doblaski as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He fills the role of former CTO Dr. Jens Kosch, who is becoming an X-FAB Fellow and will serve as an adviser to the company’s CEO Rudi De Winter.

The emerging market for silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors is forecast to pass USD 1 billion in 2021, energised by demand from hybrid & electric vehicles, power supplies, and photovoltaic (PV) inverters.

The proposed JV aims to disrupt the data center market using the POET Optical Interposer to achieve superior economics and scale.

SG Wireless, the IoT solutions arm of EMS provider Season Group, has added Digi-Key as an authorised distributor of its IoT products for the US.

Kioxia Holdings Corporation says it expects to complete its acquisition of LITE-ON Technology Corporation’s Solid State Drive (SSD) business, Solid State Storage Technology Corporation and its affiliated companies on July 1, 2020.

II‐VI Incorporated has singed an agreement with General Electric to license GE's technology to manufacture silicon carbide (SiC) devices and modules for power electronics.

Dialog Semiconductor says it has completed the acquisition of Adesto Technologies Corporation (Adesto)), a provider of custom ICs and embedded systems for the IIoT market.

Despite the reduced demand for consumer electronics and smartphones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAND Flash market showed a short supply in 1H20, thanks to the corresponding rising demand for cloud services and distance education, as well as increased inventory procurement by some clients concerned with a possible breakage in the supply chain.

The electronics designer and manufacturer is looking to reinforce its foundation in Southern China and is doing so by adding a new manufacturing facility in Huizhou (Guangzhou, China).

The 10,000-square-foot facility in Elkridge, Maryland aims to services U.S. East Coast, Southern and Midwestern customers with consulting, production, support, and rapid delivery.