The art (or is it science?) of forecasting has failed the electronics market numerous times. As the year ends and forecasters roll out their predictions for 2012, there are no reasons to expect these outlooks for the year ahead will prove any more reliable than previous ones. So, how should the industry approach the turbulence…
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It wasn't that long ago that the supply chain was worried about components shortages following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Now the pendulum has shifted: semiconductor inventories in the channel have risen to levels not seen since 2008. (See: Supply Chain Turmoil Looms.) The supply chain is entering a period that is going to…
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Although news from Japan regarding the earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts comes less frequently than before, the ripple effects of the disaster can still be felt in the semiconductor industry's operation strategies. At the GSA Semiconductor Ecosystem Summit held in Santa Clara, Calif., last week, Hugh Durdan from {complink 1891|eSilicon Corp.} moderated a panel on…
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SAN DIEGO — Pulse Electronics Corporation (NYSE: PULS), a leading provider of electronic components, has selected Microtarget Tecnologia Digital Ltda. to provide sales, engineering, design support, parts, training, and service for its customers in Brazil and South America. Microtarget will represent Pulse Electronics' antennas, connectors, Excelsus filters, and electronic components for the telecom, LAN, power,…
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It is time to speak the truth. In the words of Hans Christian Andersen, “the emperor has no clothes.” We are in the midst of a semiconductor “double-dip” recession, whether we want to admit it or not. How many of your colleagues are whispering at the coffee station about how “slow” business is, how few…
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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW) today announced that its Colorado operations will become the company's global headquarters, effective Nov. 15, 2011. Arrow Electronics, with 2010 revenues of $18.7 billion, is currently headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has had a significant presence in Englewood, Colo., since 2000. “With our Colorado operations serving as Arrow…
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In the last few days, many articles have been written about Steve Jobs's contributions to the electronics world. They tend to focus on recent product introductions from {complink 379|Apple Inc.} including, the iPod, iTunes, the iPhone, and the iPad. Those are sensational products; but, in my opinion the authors' memories are too short. The articles…
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You cannot cure a chronic illness by diverting the patient's attention to a different issue, but that precisely was what {complink 4644|Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM)} tried to do with the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet PC. The device didn't catch on with consumers, and there are now reports the company may be considering ratcheting down production…
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HUNGARY — Flextronics (NASDAQ: FLEX) and Huawei today announced that they have expanded their existing supply chain partnership to include services such as reverse logistics and configure-to-order (CTO) products in Hungary. Today's announcement marks the fifth major region where the companies partner globally. Flextronics currently provides a wide array of product manufacturing and services to…
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I've been at odds for a while over a rule in pro football (in the US, that's grid football) that allows a coach to challenge a ruling made on the field. In the heat of the moment, a ref makes a call based on the best information he has at the time. Technology — and,…
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