Industry News
Spectrum Control Inc., a designer and manufacturer of electronic control products and systems, announced that Spectrum Microwave Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, has acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Amplifonix Inc. Amplifonix, Philadelphia, PA, is a designer and manufacturer of RF amplifiers, switches, detectors, integrated systems and voltage-controlled oscillators. The purchase price of the acquisition was $10 M.
Mimix Broadband Inc. and Celeritek Inc. jointly announced that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which Mimix will acquire substantially all of Celeritek’s assets relating to its gallium arsenide semiconductor components business for $2.8 M in cash. Under the agreement, Mimix will also assume approximately $6 M in liabilities of Celeritek. Assets excluded from the transaction include Celeritek’s cash, cash-equivalents and certain other non-operating assets.
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced it will acquire PASS Technologies’ Vxl test data-exchange software products for integration into Agilent’s VEE Pro graphical programming language. PASS Technologies Inc., Fort Collins, CO, specializes in test-and-measurement software development. By tightly integrating the capabilities in the Vxl products, Agilent’s VEE Pro will allow users to seamlessly exchange data with Microsoft® Excel as well as control Excel to quickly create professional test reports.
Rohde & Schwarz announced that it has acquired Hameg GmbH with the intention of expanding its presence in the lower price test and measurement sector. The takeover will leave all jobs in the areas of development, production and sales intact. Rohde & Schwarz will absorb all Hameg employees at the Mainhausen, Chemnitz and Münchenbernsdorf locations, and the sales office in France will also carry on with its operations. For almost 50 years, Hameg has been synonymous with a host of inexpensive and reliable electronic measuring instruments. Under the terms of the agreement the company will retain its brand name as an independent subsidiary.
Labtech Ltd., Presteigne, Wales, has purchased from Filtronic Components Ltd. the assets of Filtronics’ microwave components design manufacturing facility located in Milton Keynes, UK. Renamed Labtech Microwave, the facility will continue to offer custom and a standard range of microwave components for the military and SATCOM markets. The acquisition of the facility will also enable Labtech to offer complementary services such as thin film microwave circuit manufacture and microwave module assembly and test. The existing Presteigne operation will be renamed Labtech Circuits and it will continue to manufacture microwave printed circuit boards, MMIC packaging solutions and RF machining.
TestMart, an operator and service provider for the test and measurement industry, announced that it will provide the US government and federal contractor marketplace with a range of Agilent Technologies instruments and associated services. The agreement authorizes TestMart to offer a selected catalog of Agilent’s diverse solutions including data acquisition instruments, RF power meters, DC power supplies, function and arbitrary waveform generators counters, data loggers and digital multimeters for use in communications and general purpose test.
Strand Marketing, a full service marketing communications agency specializing in microwave and wireless, announced that they have recently been hired by two microwave industry companies to complete a variety of advertising projects. Endwave Corp., Sunnyvale, CA, has tapped Strand for a strategic advertising campaign to promote the formation of the defense systems operation of Endwave. UltraSource Inc., Hollis, NH, has also hired Strand to develop an integrated marketing communications campaign to promote its advanced thin film technology.
Coaxant Inc. announced its new strategic alliance with Electronic Assembly and Manufacturing (EAM), Haverhill, MA. This is the company’s second such alliance since making its debut at the 2004 MTT-S show in Dallas. Now approaching its one-year anniversary, the Coaxant team has been on track with its growth projections, and has won several contracts with major defense companies. Coaxant was also recently certified as a “Small Business Veteran Owned,” which will allow it to more aggressively pursue contracts with government agencies and defense contractors. In addition to the defense industry, Coaxant is actively pursuing the commercial RF and microwave, multi-conductor cable assembly, and microwave connector markets.
QUALCOMM Inc. and Openwave Systems Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a licensing agreement that will further promote the rapid advancement of 3G WCDMA handsets.
Richardson Electronics announced that it has expanded its market footprint in the Asia-Pacific region by opening an RF and microwave sales office in Nanjing, China. The office represents the company’s continued growth and further investment in the Asia-Pacific region. With plans to broaden its market share in line with the growth of its customers, the Nanjing office will focus on developing design and application support for custom-made RF products while simultaneously improving upon design, application and testing support for high power transistors and hybrid models.
Elcoteq Network Corp., a global provider of electronics manufacturing services for the communications technology industry, inaugurated a new plant in Bangalore, India. When fully operational, the Bangalore facility will employ approximately 1000 people and manufacture products for global customers operating in India as well as the Asia-Pacific region.
Palomar Technologies announced that it has moved to a 39,000 square foot facility in Carlsbad, CA. The new plant will serve as international headquarters for the company, contain design and manufacturing space, a larger cleanroom, and an extensive applications, process development and prototyping lab with advanced test and measurement capabilities. The new address is 2728 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA 92008. The phone (760) 931-3660 and fax: (760) 931-3444 numbers remain unchanged.
Vida Products Inc., Santa Rosa, CA, a magnetically tuned oscillator and frequency synthesizer supplier, has expanded its repair and upgrade facility to include several unique synthesizers manufactured by VertiCom, a former synthesizer supplier that ceased operations in late 2002. Vida has repaired and upgraded several hundred VertiCom synthesizers to improve existing system performance and extend the operational life expectancy of a number of currently deployed systems.
GigaBeam Corp. announced the successful installation of its WiFiber™ wireless fiber link for Microwave Satellite Technologies Inc. (MST) between the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle and a residential Trump building, Trump Place at 180 Riverside Blvd. in New York City. The WiFiber link enables the 49-story Trump Place to receive fiber-equivalent access and the ability to benefit from Quadruple-play services. This installation is the first of 20 WiFiber links, which MST plans to deploy throughout New York.
M/A-COM announced that a wide range of its recently released semiconductor components and solutions are restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) compliant. RoHS is a European legislative directive that bans the use of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, PBBs and PBDEs in components sold in the European Union by July 2006.
Kyocera America Inc. announced that it has received Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) level Q transitional certification for assembly and test, per MIL-PRF-38535, FSC 5962, allowing Kyocera America to perform assembly and test services for defense applications.
J.S.M. Electronics Inc., a woman-owned small business that manufactures cable assemblies, connectors and interconnect products, received a Small Business Award from Missiles and Fire Control and Simulation, Training and Support. The award is a result of its design of radio frequency coax cables coupled with its best value pricing that resulted in savings exceeding $1 M, along with its strong commitment to a successful relationship with Lockheed Martin. J.S.M. has been in business nine years, and has 35 employees with annual sales of $9 M.
RF Micro Devices Inc. announced production shipments of the RF8900. The RF8900 is a sole-source converged Bluetooth®/global positioning system solution.
ANADIGICS Inc. announced that the company has shipped its 25 millionth indium gallium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor power amplifier for wireless LAN applications.
Contracts
Dorado International, a manufacturer of microwave ferrite products, announced that REMEC Corp., San Diego, CA, has awarded the company a multiyear contract to supply a wide range of microstrip ferrite isolators for use in REMEC communication products.
MI Technologies announced it has been selected by Alcatel Space to supply and commission a state-of-the-art antenna measurement, acquisition and analysis system for the Alcatel Space Compact Antenna Test Range in Cannes, France. Under terms of the contract, MI Technologies will install its MI-2097 automated microwave measurement system in conjunction with RF components, which will enable the system to acquire and analyze data up to 60 GHz.
Financial News
Tektronix Inc. reports sales of $256.3 M for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 ended February 26, 2005, compared to $243.5 M for the same period in 2004. Net earnings for the quarter were $23.4 M ($0.26/per share), compared to net earnings of $43.9 M ($0.50/per share) for the third quarter of last year.
Provigent Inc., a provider of system-on-a-chip solutions for broadband wireless transmission, announced that it has increased third round funding to $10 M and the total amount raised thus far to $21 M.
RF Industries Ltd. reports sales of $2.9 M for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 ended January 31, 2005, compared to $2.4 M for the same period in 2004. Net income for the quarter was $206,000 ($0.05/per diluted share), compared to a net income of $234,000 ($0.07/per diluted share) for the first quarter of last year.
Unity Wireless Corp. announced that it has privately placed with institutional investors US$1.5 M principal amount of two-year term debt financing in the form of 8 percent secured notes. The secured notes are convertible at a fixed rate of $0.20 per share. Five-year warrants to purchase 4,500,000 shares exercisable at $0.20 per share were also issued in the placement. Net proceeds to the company were approximately $1.35 M.
Personnel
Nigel Litchfield
Antenova Ltd. has appointed Nigel Litchfield as chairman of the board. He brings with him a strong history of product innovation and international market development to support the company’s global strategy. With more than 14 years of executive and product management experience, Litchfield most recently served as president of Vertu, the wholly-owned luxury mobile phone subsidiary of Nokia. He was involved in defining the company’s initial strategy, launching the first two product ranges and setting up distribution in over 20 countries.
Peregrine Semiconductor announced that Alan (Lanny) Ross has been appointed to its board of directors. Ross has more than 30 years of experience guiding semiconductor companies through various stages of growth. Until this past December, Ross was president and chief executive officer of Broadcom Corp., where he continues to serve as a member of its board of directors.
Sequoia Communications announced the appointment of a new board member, Dennis Roberson. Roberson will also represent Sequoia Communications on the FCC Technology advisory board. Roberson previously served on the FCC board representing Motorola and, after joining Sequoia Communications, was asked to serve an additional term, furthering the FCC’s pursuit of diversification with representation from smaller, privately held companies.
Hiromichi Toda
Hiromichi Toda has been appointed president of Anritsu Corp. He succeeds Akira Shiomi, who will remain with the company as a representative director and chairman of the board. His appointment is effective from June 23, 2005, and until then he will serve as executive deputy president to support Shiomi, and ensure a smooth and effective transition. Toda’s appointment follows a successful tenure as general manager of Anritsu’s Measurement Group. Under his direction, the test and measurement business unit experienced substantial growth, especially in the wireless communications segment. His successor in that post is Mark Evans, formerly general manager of the company’s Globalization Center.
Greg Geyer
Crane Aerospace & Electronics announced the appointment of Greg Geyer as vice president operations and site manager of its Chandler, AZ location. In this capacity, Geyer will be responsible for manufacturing operation activities as well as site leadership, operation performance and strategic deployment at the Chandler site. Prior to joining the company, Geyer served as vice president of manufacturing operations for Harris microwave communications division in San Antonio, TX.
Brenda Harp
Modelithics Inc. announced the addition of Brenda Harp as director of sales and customer support. Harp has 20 years of experience, selling and supporting electronic test and measurement equipment for Agilent Technologies and Hewlett-Packard Co. Harp has taken over the lead sales position from Paul Firth, who is now fully dedicated to marketing.
Joseph A. Elliot
M2 Global Technology Ltd. announced that Joseph A. Elliott has joined the company as senior radio frequency filter design team leader. An accomplished electrical and microwave component designer, Elliott has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace and telecommunication industries. His areas of expertise include the design and testing of microwave filters and components, with emphasis on spacecraft multiplexers and personal communication services applications.
Michael K. Ferrand
ClearComm Technologies, a supplier of filters and duplexers for the point-to-point radio and wireless markets, has announced the hiring of Michael K. Ferrand as sales manager. Ferrand’s responsibilities include new business development and account management. His previous experience includes work with wireless OEM accounts and the service provider industries. Prior to joining ClearComm, Ferrand was sales manager of wireless products for L-3 Communications, Narda-West.
Candy Cunningham
EMS Technologies Inc. announced the appointment of Candy Cunningham as senior account manager for EMS’s SATCOM division. The appointment sees Cunningham focusing on growing the division’s government and military businesses. Cunningham joins the company from Thrane & Thrane. She possesses a deep knowledge of government and military communications requirements and procurement processes, and also has a solid understanding of Homeland Security programs.
Phil Walker
Renaissance Electronics Corp. announced that Phil Walker has joined the company as the product line manager for waveguide products. Walker brings to the company a vast experience designing waveguide subsystems and components. His experience will help further enhance Renaissance Electronics’ technology driven customer focused expertise. Walker holds a BS in physics from Edinburgh University, Scotland, and gained his experience working at Kevlin, Raytheon, M/A-COM and Chelton.
Rep Appointments
UltraSource Inc., a supplier of custom thin film circuits and ceramic interconnect devices, announced that they hired several new field sales representatives. International Technical Services Pte. Ltd., Singapore (www.its-asian.com), will represent the company in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Macao. GHz Marketing Solutions, Andover, England (www.ghz-marketing.com), will represent the company in the UK. Cocor Aero Products Inc., Markham, Ontario (www.cocor-aero.com), will represent them in the eastern Canada provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. DTM, Kfar Saba, Israel (eranmo@netvision.net.il), will represent them in Israel. Horton and Associates, Seattle, WA (www.horton.biz), will represent them in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and western Canada.
Compel Electronics announced that Response Microwave will become its new channel partner for servicing the North American market. Response Microwave, Framingham, MA, will assume customer service, sales, marketing and product distribution functions on behalf of the Compel interconnect family.
Park Electrochemical Corp. announced that Municom GmbH is now representing the company’s RF/microwave and advanced digital substrate materials in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Municom will sell, distribute and warehouse products manufactured by Park’s Neltec S.A. business unit in Lannemezan, France and Neltec Europe SAS business unit in Mirebeau, France.
Lorch Microwave announced the appointment of Trionics Associates as its exclusive representative in metropolitan New York, Long Island, New Jersey and select accounts in eastern Pennsylvania.
Microwave Dynamics, Tustin, CA, a manufacturer of DROs, free running and phase-locked oscillators for space, military and commercial use, has appointed several new sales representatives. HyTech Associates Inc. will cover southern California. HyTech can be contacted at (818) 991-7491 or e-mail: hytech@hyth.com. Val Jackson + Associates Inc. will be responsible for northern California, western Nevada, Washington and Oregon, and can be reached at (831) 438-5442 or e-mail: vjackson@cruzio.com. E.G. Holmes & Associates will be responsible for North and South Carolina, southern Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. The company can be reached at (800) 331-8419 or e-mail: mike@egholmes.com.
Web sites
Radiall’s updated Web site is designed to be clearer, more ergonomic, and enable visitors to find the requested information faster and easier. The key features of www.radiall.com are: a quick search by keyword or part number, manufacturer cross-references, technical data sheets and literature downloads. The site has the facility for multilingual searches in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Chinese, and also enables customers to request quotation forms.
AntennEM Communication LLC, a developer of advanced antenna systems, has completely revamped its Web site to focus on areas of greater interest to its customers and to provide more information and better navigation to the various pieces of information. For more information, visit www.antennem.com.