Industry News
ANSYS Inc., a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes, and Ansoft Corp., a global provider of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software, announced that they signed a definitive agreement whereby ANSYS will acquire Ansoft for a purchase price of approximately $832 M in a mix of cash and ANSYS common stock. The strategic, complementary business combination of ANSYS and Ansoft will create the leading provider of ‘best-in-class’ simulation capabilities, with combined trailing 12-month revenues of $485 M. When completed, ANSYS currently anticipates that the transaction will be modestly accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share in its first full year of combined operations.
KOR Electronics announced it has purchased the Government Solutions subsidiary, Paragon Dynamics Inc. (PDI), from Zanett Inc. for cash. Pagemill Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to KOR Electronics. KOR Electronics is an aerospace defense technology company providing domestic and international customers with advanced military electronics equipment and system solutions. PDI has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Zanett Government Solutions. Based in Aurora, CO, with offices in California and Washington, DC, PDI provides systems, software and mission engineering solutions to a variety of Intelligence Agencies, Department of Defense (DoD) and aerospace clients.
Cadence Design Systems Inc., a leader in global electronic design innovation, announced that it has acquired Chip Estimate Corp., a leader in delivering IC planning and enterprise-level IP reuse management solutions. Founded in 2003, Chip Estimate products enable electronics design teams to predict the die size, yield, power consumption, performance and cost of chips based on almost any design architecture, IP and silicon process node options. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Park Electrochemical Corp. announced that its new wholly owned subsidiary, Park Aerospace Structures Corp., has purchased substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites Inc. located in Lynnwood, WA. Nova Composites designs and manufactures aircraft composite structures and the tooling for such structures. These composite structures are manufactured with carbon, fiberglass and other reinforcements impregnated with formulated resins. Park paid approximately $4.5 M for the Nova Composites business at the closing of the acquisition, and will, depending on the achievement of certain “earn-out” objectives, pay up to an additional $5.5 M for the business over the next five years.
Namics Corp. and Diemat Inc. announced the completion of a merger agreement to combine each company’s services and products to better serve the global electronics marketplace. The agreement provides new opportunities for customers to benefit from expanded capabilities, complimentary technologies and expanded product lines. Diemat will maintain its brand identity and will continue to operate with the involvement and technical guidance of its founder Ray Dietz who has over 40 years of experience in the electronic materials industry. Namics will support the technology, manufacturing and marketing efforts as Diemat continues to grow.
Keithley Instruments Inc., a leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, announced a partnership with Stratosphere Solutions Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, a provider of innovative parametric yield improvement solutions for integrated circuit manufacturers. Keithley’s partnership with Stratosphere Solutions will address advanced process development and monitoring using an array test element group (TEG) technology.
Nokia Siemens Networks is teaming up with Symmetricom to offer operators a solution to the challenge of keeping network bandwidth capacity up to pace with the ever-increasing demand from data applications. The two companies are to introduce the industry’s first open standard Timing over Packet solution to synchronize base stations over the packet-based backhaul networks vital to sustaining profitability.
Arcadian Networks, a wireless communications carrier serving energy companies with dispersed assets (electric, gas and water utilities, and oil and gas companies), announced that it has entered into a business partnership with FreeWave Technologies in order to enhance and diversify its existing wireless communications platform.
Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. (EI) announced that it has entered into a sales and manufacturing agreement with Unimicron Technology Corp., Taiwan, to produce CoreEZ™ organic substrates at one of their facilities. Under terms of the agreement, EI, a design manufacturer, maintains control of the design and technical support worldwide for the CoreEZ product line. Unimicron will be the high volume manufacturer of CoreEZ products per EI’s specifications and requirements. Sales of CoreEZ products will be jointly handled by the two companies.
Shared Spectrum Co. (SSC) has entered into an agreement with Harris Corp. to conduct a joint feasibility study of SSC’s dynamic spectrum access (DSA) technology that will lead to the near-term integration of SSC’s cognitive radio software in field-ready Harris Falcon® III military radios. Acting as prime, SSC will work with Harris to integrate and evaluate software developed by SSC to determine the operating requirements for deploying DSA-enabled radios in frequency-hostile environments.
Merrimac Industries Inc. announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nitronex Corp. to develop new highly integrated power amplifiers using Merrimac’s proprietary Multi-Mix® multilayer circuit technology and high power gallium nitride (GaN) transistor technology from Nitronex. GaN device technology is highly sought as a higher-power replacement for GaAs and LDMOS device technology in communications equipment. The discrete transistors are ideal for high power transmitter amplifiers in third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) wireless communications systems as well as emerging broadband WiMAX base stations. Nitronex has developed and qualified a GaN on Silicon process to service the needs of both commercial users in the wireless infrastructure industry and military users involved in communications, electronic warfare and radar systems.
Park Electrochemical Corp. announced that it has changed the name of its business unit and subsidiary located in Waterbury, CT from Nelcote Inc. to Park Advanced Composite Materials Inc. This business unit will continue to manufacture advanced composite materials (the Nelcote® product line) principally for the aerospace markets. The company’s recently opened advanced composite materials “Pioneer Plant” located on Pioneer Road in Jurong, Singapore, and the company’s new advanced composite materials development and manufacturing facility currently under construction at the Newton City-County Airport at Newton, KS, will also manufacture advanced composite materials principally for the aerospace markets.
Skyworks Solutions Inc., an innovator of high performance analog and mixed signal semiconductors enabling mobile connectivity, announced that it has received LG Electronics’ 2007 Best Supplier Award. The award is based on technology, quality, product reliability and on-time delivery. LG leverages Skyworks’ front-end solutions for a variety of mobile handsets sold worldwide spanning all key air interfaces including CDMA, GSM and, increasingly, EDGE and WCDMA for 3G multimode applications.
New Era Electronics Ltd. (NEE), a leader in volume production of microwave printed circuit boards, was honored by Forbes Asia as one of the top 200 publicly traded companies in Asia, with sales of less than one billion USD, for consistent sales and profit growth in the previous 12-month period. Forbes Asia annually selects top performing companies from all publicly traded companies in Asia with sales less than one billion US dollars. Those companies that exhibit consistent track records of sustained growth and profitability, as well as knowledgeable management and sound business models are chosen each year for inclusion in the list.
MtronPTI, a producer of frequency control and filter products for military and aerospace applications, announced that it has passed the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) certification process for MIL-PRF-55310. MtronPTI has a wide array of oscillator products designed for high reliability and harsh duty applications, and this latest capability further enhances the suite of products and services that MtronPTI provides to military, aerospace and avionic customers.
Flex Interconnect Technologies (FIT), a leader in design, manufacture and assembly of flexible printed circuits, announced that its Quality Management System is certified to AS9100 revision B standards. The AS9100 revision B is a standard developed by International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQC). The certification of Flex Interconnect Technologies was granted after an audit by Intertek Systems, one of the most reputed Registrars of Aerospace standards. Flex Interconnect Technologies passed the audit with a perfect 100 percent score.
Contracts
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced that its Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., received a $1.2 M order from a United States government agency for satellite communications equipment. The equipment will support the build out of a new satellite communications network.
Herley Industries Inc. announced that its Herley New England division in Woburn, MA, has received an additional award of approximately $1.2 M from a major US defense contractor for the manufacture of complex Integrated Microwave Assemblies (IMA) for an electronic attack aircraft for the US Navy. Herley announced a $9.8 M contract in February for this customer. The additional award brings the total value of the contract to $11 M, the largest award ever received by the Woburn division.
Elcom Technologies Inc. announced the receipt of a new contract for $1 M from a major United States Aerospace-Defense military contractor, for a high performance VME-based synthesized RF source and synthesized broadband downconverter. Elcom was initially selected due to its ability to integrate synthesizer and tuner in a VME package. This recurring contract will require support through 2009.
RF Industries Ltd. announced that its Bioconnect division has received new purchase orders for $423,000, consisting of a $247,000 contract from a major customer for a complex 24-lead connector and a separate $176,000 contract from a new customer for a single lead product utilizing a female DIN connector.
Tektronix Inc., a worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, announced that Murray Associates, registered as Spybusters LLC, has selected a Tektronix Real-time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) with DPX™ live RF display technology to help the security consultancy identify wireless eavesdropping devices that may be located in clients’ facilities including boardrooms and security trading floors. The RTSA instrument enables the firm to quickly and efficiently spot sophisticated listening devices, even in challenging environments where there are many competing signals.
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that Finisar, a global leader in fiber optic solutions for high speed networks, has selected Agilent’s Advanced Design System (ADS) software to support the development of its optics products designed for the telecom market. Agilent’s ADS software platform includes the Signal Integrity Design Suite and the Ptolemy system simulator.
Financial News
Tyco Electronics Ltd. announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to pursue the divestiture of its Radio Frequency Components and Subsystem business. This business represented approximately $500 M of the Wireless Systems segment’s total sales of $887 M in fiscal 2007. The remaining portion of the Wireless Systems segment—Public Safety/Land Mobile Radio Systems and Products—is not included in the planned divestiture. The divestiture is part of Tyco Electronics’ previously-announced plan to divest or exit non-strategic businesses.
Superconductor Technologies Inc. reports sales of $4.9 M for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to $5.3 M for the same period in 2006. Net loss for the quarter was $2.2 M ($0.17 per diluted share), compared to $1.6 M ($0.13 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of last year.
RF Industries Ltd. reports sales of $3.8 M for the first quarter ended January 31, 2008, compared to $3.2 M for the same period in 2007. Net income for the quarter was $182,000 ($0.05 per diluted share), compared to $33,000 ($0.01 per diluted share) for the first quarter of last year.
Provigent, a leading provider of System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions for the broadband wireless transmission market, announced that it has increased fourth round funding to $20 M. Stata Venture Partners investment in the fourth round increased from $1 M to $4 M. In addition to Stata Venture Partners, Provigent’s technology investors include: Sequoia Capital, Pitango Venture Capital, Globespan Capital Partners, Ascend Technology Ventures, Magma Venture Partners, Delta Ventures and Dr. Andrew Viterbi, co-founder of QUALCOMM.
New Market Entry
CADEKA Microcircuits, the industry’s newest analog supplier, introduces 10 new high performance amplifiers. Although the company name is new, the unique strength of CADEKA’s experienced analog designers and engineers began in the late 1980s. CADEKA’s engineering staff began working together at Comlinear Corp., former supplier of industry leading high performance amplifier products. This is where the team discovered their passion for amplifiers and analog technology. Since those early years at Comlinear, the team’s experience grew through three separate company transitions, including assignments at National Semiconductor, Kota Microcircuits, and most recently, Fairchild Semiconductor.
Personnel
Vectron International announced the strategic realignment of its business to sharpen the focus on its Industrial, Military and Space (IMS) Business Unit. As part of this increased focus, Vectron appointed Gregory Smolka to serve in the new role of vice president of the IMS business unit. In this role, Smolka will be responsible for managing the IMS Business Unit and growing Vectron’s strong market positions in test and measurement, medical imaging, process control and other industrial applications while reinforcing the company’s leadership position in defense and space markets. Prior to joining Vectron, Smolka served as the vice president of sales and marketing at Axsun Technologies.
ClearComm Technologies LLC, a designer and manufacturer of RF and microwave filter products for the military, commercial and wireless markets, announced the appointment of Cliff Yoshida to the position of business development director. Yoshida brings more than 30 years of management, sales, marketing, business development and engineering experience in the RF/microwave industry to the ClearComm sales team. Prior to joining ClearComm, he held various management positions within the industry, including domestic strategic account manager, international sales manager and engineering manager.
Continental Microwave, a division of Cobham Defense Electronic Systems, is expanding its antenna design capabilities with the addition of two new engineers. Wendell Brokaw will be leading the antenna engineering and development team as director of antenna engineering. Brokaw was employed by Harris Corp. as principal investigator/analyst designing several innovative antenna systems and more recently at Sciperio Inc. as a senior research scientist working on electronic steerable arrays. Brian St. Hilaire has also joined the antenna team as senior antenna engineer. His work experience comes from M/A-COM, Varian and as an educator at the University of New Hampshire.
KOR Electronics announced that Bob Pemberton has joined the company as director of sales. He will be based in the company’s Texas office and reports directly to Rich Beeber, vice president of advanced development. In his role as sales director, Pemberton oversees KOR Electronics’ sales activities with major prime contractors and European customers. Prior to joining KOR Electronics, Pemberton was the director of microwave sales for Crane Aerospace & Electronics. He comes to KOR Electronics with over 25 years of experience in the microwave industry.
NDK announced that Craig Taylor has joined the company as GM of business and application development. Taylor will bring over 20 years of successful technical and marketing experience to aid NDK’s customers. He will be working directly with OEMs on their next generation products. By nature, quartz-based frequency control components carry one of the longest lead times to develop.
Multisorb Technologies announced the appointment of Daniel Casacci to the position of business development leader for the electronics market. In this role, Casacci will oversee market development for the company’s portfolio of technologies that manage moisture, oxygen, hydrocarbons and other volatiles to protect sensitive electronic products against degradation, and improve product reliability and performance. Casacci brings 19 years of experience in the electronics market to the company.
AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation announced the appointment of Bud Osthaus as microwave design specialist. Osthaus brings 30 years of microelectronics experience to the company. He began his career as a designer with Microcom Corp. and later worked in process engineering for a variety of technology companies. Prior to joining AR, he was with Merrimac Industries, where he established a full-service microelectronic prototype facility. In AR’s quest to create state of the art, highly reliable RF and millimeter-wave microelectronic products, Osthaus will be developing assembly processes and equipment. His experience in military and high volume commercial electronics manufacturing will play a key role in keeping AR at the forefront of technology in a global market.
Rep Appointments
Anritsu Co. and RFMW Ltd. announced an Americas distribution agreement. Under terms of the agreement, RFMW will market and sell Anritsu’s high performance, high frequency coaxial connectors and components used in communications and test instrument applications.
Microsorb Technologies, a manufacturer of microwave absorbers and dielectric materials, has appointed Sertech to cover greater Philadelphia, Delaware and southern New Jersey. E.G. Holmes & Associates Inc. will represent Florida and Data Marketing Associates will handle Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Web site
Strand Marketing has launched a new web site at www.strandmarketing.com. Based in Newburyport, MA, Strand provides integrated marketing communications for regional and international high-tech companies, ranging from RF/microwave to biotech. The new site offers the unique opportunity to browse the agency’s extensive creative portfolio by toggling between a client- or a project-based tour. Choosing the client-based option, visitors can read and learn about the agency’s current client-base, including specific company challenges and the corresponding, custom-fit marketing solutions.