Manufacturing Equipment

WEST CHESTER, Ohio, Jul 14, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Rite Track, Inc., based in West Chester, Ohio, and Brewer Science, Inc., based in Rolla, Missouri, USA, announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a collaborative partnership. This partnership draws on the service and manufacturing expertise of Rite Track and the process innovation and high-performance bench-top processing equipment of Brewer Science to create a synergistic relationship. This will provide our world-wide customers with improved support and earlier availability of innovative production-ready technologies.
Under the collaborative agreement, Rite Track and Brewer Science will explore ways to enhance sales and service support for their products, as well as find ways to integrate new processing technologies developed by Brewer Science into the Rite Track supported TEL and SVG track systems. Both parties will also jointly work on new innovative solutions for processing needs and applications support. Brewer Science will provide equipment designs with world-class chemical expertise and applications support, while Rite Track will leverage its excellence in high-volume automated processing systems.
“This partnership with Rite Track will allow us to expand our Cee(R) line of processing equipment and add new innovations,” commented Dr. Terry Brewer, President and founder of Brewer Science. “Rite Track is a recognized leader in after-sales support and field engineering with a world-class global support infrastructure.”
“We are excited to be working with Brewer Science and look forward to helping them continue their long history of success. By leveraging our equipment support capabilities with their strong process knowledge and innovative thinking, we feel we have the right formula for a successful partnership,” stated Tim Hayden, President and CEO of Rite Track.
About Brewer Science
Brewer Science, a multidivisional technology company, has pioneered industry-enabling innovations including ARC(R) anti-reflective coatings, ProTEK(R) etch protective coatings, WaferBOND(TM) temporary wafer bonding series of materials, and microelectronic-grade carbon nanotube solutions. Brewer Science is a major producer of high-quality materials, processes and machine solutions that meet the stringent requirements of today’s IC, compound semiconductor, MEMS, and optoelectronic industries. Further information on technologies and products information from Brewer Science can be obtained via the company’s web site at www.brewerscience.com.
About Rite Track
Rite Track, established in 1993, is the premier licensed supplier of TEL CLEAN TRACK Mark Vz, 7 and 8 systems to North America and Europe. The TEL ACT 8 is available from Rite Track in the US under special agreement. Rite Track is the OEM for the SVG 8X and 9X track systems and provides field support, custom engineering services, upgrade kits and enhancements for all of its products. Rite Track is located at 8655 Rite Track Way, West Chester, OH 45069. For sales or product information contact (513) 881-7820, +49-7171-878582 (Europe) or +65-64843421 (Asia), send e-mail to sales@ritetrack.com, or visit the company’s web site at www.ritetrack.com.

Heading grimly into the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry’s biggest tradeshow and conference next week, Semicon West, market researcher company Gartner Dataquest has cut its semiconductor capital spending forecast by an additional 2.6%, projecting a 22.4% decline for 2008, with little upside potential currently visible for the near term given that all segments of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market are reporting decreased spending plans, coupled with an anticipated bursting of the capital spending bubble in memory markets, as well as continued uncertainty in the global economic picture.

The company notes that its most likely scenario has spending growth returning in 2009.

According to Gartner analysts Bob Johnson, Mark Stromberg and Klaus Rinnen in a report out today, little has changed in the company’s overall view of the semiconductor industry’s capital spending and equipment picture, which still reflects a significant decline from 2007 as companies respond to a variety of market conditions by cutting back on spending plans.

This modification compares to Gartner’s April forecast for a capital expenditure (capex) decline for 2008 of 19.8%.

By segment, the company forecasts declines across the board for all semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with wafer fab equipment (WFE) revenue to be down 21.5%, packaging and assembly equipment (PAE) revenue to decline 15.2%, and automated test equipment (ATE) revenue to will be down 20.3%.

Gartner reminds that the capital spending picture is shaped by a number of factors including economic uncertainty, which tends to make corporate planners cautious, this year being no exception. Also, a continued significant oversupply condition in the DRAM and NAND flash memory segments has led to precipitous price declines and profitability pressures for most of the memory producers, while the memory spending pattern is currently on the downside of a boom/bust spending environment, which saw rampant overcapacity in all areas of memory; this has resulted in a situation in which unit volumes produced could be moved only at fire sale prices.

In addition, a combination of slower industry growth rates and increased costs of staying at the bleeding edge of manufacturing technology could lead to cautious spending by non-memory integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) in response, Gartner said. And, the company said the foundry investment pattern could change from, “If we build it, they will come,” to “If they come, we will build it.”

Still, Gartner maintains its forecast for a capital spending recovery in 2009, as the oversupply of DRAM capacity is resolved, but has reduced its expectations for capital spending growth because the latest global economic forecasts show lingering concerns, causing expectations to be slightly below those for 2008.

Semiconductor capital spending should grow 7.6% in 2009, which would drive growth in all the equipment segments, the company reported.

That said, Gartner cautioned that its forecast could be thrown off given that the overall effect of higher oil prices on electronics spending is not clear at this time, with higher oil and energy prices possibly driving more electronics content for energy-saving devices for consumers and businesses. And increased gas prices can curtail driving and lead consumers to spend more for home entertainment systems and communications equipment. By contrast, higher energy prices and low consumer confidence can reduce discretionary spending available for electronics. The possible different net effect of these economic forces adds uncertainty and risk to the forecast.

Next, Gartner said the latest forecasts by its Global Insight service notes a possibility of a more-protracted US economic slowdown, combined with broader global economic problems that may cause worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) growth expectations for 2009 to dip below that for 2008, while support for consumer spending continues to weaken, which could lead to slower growth in demand for consumer electronic products and related semiconductor devices, particularly NAND flash.

Finally, oversupply in the NAND flash market, possibly triggered by a slowdown in demand, would likely result in drastic capital spending cuts, Gartner pointed out.

All of this leads to the downside potential for next year outweighing the upside, with a worst-case scenario of economic woes delaying recovery in annual spending until 2010, even though quarterly results should show signs of recovery during 2009.

Beyond 2009, Gartner sees an 18.2% capital spending increase in 2010, with 2011 will seeing the next decline of 9.4%, followed by 7% growth in 2012, although continued economic difficulties could change this picture dramatically.

Taking all of this into consideration, Gartner cautions that the next 6 to 12 months will be another period of uncertainty and risks for the semiconductor manufacturing and equipment industries. While its forecast for overall semiconductor industry revenue shows a mild increase consistent with prior years, it is achieved at the cost of major reductions in capital spending to bring capacity more in line with overall demand.

The bursting of the DRAM spending bubble should come as a surprise to no one, the company asserted, as the fact that it coincides with downward economic pressures and the uncertain impact on semiconductor demand adds significant risk to an already grim forecast for capital equipment.

Reviewing quarterly scenarios and looking forward to the end of this year, what happens in the equipment market in Q4 will largely determine whether 2009 is positive. The company said the most likely scenario has shipment growth returning in Q4, which sets the stage for recovery throughout 2009, with the year ending with positive growth. However, if economic conditions continue to deteriorate, and semiconductor manufacturers continue to restrain capacity growth in the face of uncertain demand through the end of 2008, then prospects for annualized growth in 2009 evaporate, even if a recovery in shipment rates occurs later in the year, Gartner said.

As such, Gartner recommends that equipment manufacturers plan for a wide range of contingencies and be ready to respond quickly when opportunities present themselves, and warned that companies should anticipate order slippages and accelerations, continued economic dislocations, and projections of doom and gloom.

The industry again finds itself in a position in which a major cyclical downturn is made worse by a global economic slowdown, and while macroeconomic conditions are out of the industry’s control, individual companies can control their operational and strategic thrusts with cost and profit management, continued innovation, and a focus on core competencies the keys for future success, Gartner concluded.

National Lift Equipment (NLE; www.nleq.com), the pioneer in brokering the sale of used construction and aerial equipment, has created the equipment brokerage industry’s first warranty program, to further assure domestic and overseas customers of the quality of the equipment it sells, according to Michael Dougherty, President.

NLE also reported that its international

business has grown 30% over the last year, with increased sales to firms in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Poland, Asia, and the Near East.

“Construction is accelerating around the globe, and utility and building maintenance operations are also on the rise, driving up demand for large equipment,” said Dougherty.

“Our new warranty program lets domestic and international customers buy the pre-owned machines they need with confidence. They don’t have to accept an ‘as is’ deal any more.”

The warranty offered by NLE varies by type of equipment, but in general covers major engine, transmission, and drive train components, many components of hydraulic systems, and parts for generators and light towers. Different levels of coverage are available to meet individual customer needs.

NLE provides scissors and boom lifts, construction forklifts, cranes, and wheel loaders, dozer excavators, and related equipment to dealers across the US and Canada and around the world. In addition to equipment, NLE also supplies parts, refurbishes the equipment, and ships it to a customer’s work site.

Dougherty succeeded NLE’s founder, the late Rock Gillette, as President in August 2007, but has been spearheading the company’s diversification into service-related offerings and international sales since becoming Vice President in 2005.

NLE was founded 19 years ago to provide a way for construction companies to quickly locate and buy equipment, and to sell what they were no longer using. It is one of the largest brokers of construction-site equipment, maintaining an inventory of thousands of machines that prospective buyers can review on its web site.

With gas prices at record levels, many people are looking to get rid of the V-8 gas guzzling car, truck or SUV.

Problem is, some dealers either don’t want them at all or will pay you next to nothing in a trade.

Some people may continue to insist on a V-8 truck or car, depending on how they use them, but consumers should not expect to get much money for their V-8 trade because of the decrease in demand.

Lash has been buying and selling cars for years, and $4 per gallon gas is changing the landscape.

“We probably at least had 40 to 50 percent trucks and SUVs, but now everyone’s looking for gas mileage,” Lash said.

Lash said he’s heard that some places are not taking in V-8s because they can’t take them in if they can’t resell them.

“When I go to the auction, when a V-8 hits the floor nobody even bids on it,” Lash said.

At the Holler group, they’re still taking V-8s on trade, but not at prices consumers would’ve expected a few months back.

“Holler is still selling the V8s, just more of the smaller cars. Nationwide, the trade-in value has gone down, but we are still accepting them as trade-ins,” Jill Frederiksen of Holler Automotive said.

She said people still want the larger more powerful vehicles to pull boats and travel trailers.

Several trucks will be going to auction so they can be shipped overseas.

Officials said there seems to be a market there for the more powerful trucks.

Local manufacturer of stainless steel trailers and member of the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association, Desert Wolf, is hoping to make a contribution to the peacekeeping efforts throughout Africa through its current contract with the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor).

This will hopefully be achieved through the satellite deployment system that the company is supplying to Armscor.

Desert Wolf conceptualised the concept of a satellite deployment system in 2005. The idea behind this system is that a communications system is set up in the back of a robust all-terrain trailer. Once this communication system is activated, the signal is bounced off a satellite to its intended recipient. Desert Wolf reports that this system is tailor-made for African conditions as there are very few countries in Africa that can provide a secure telecommunications system needed for these operations in rural areas.

The company adds that Armscor is acting on behalf of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on this project. Defence forces such as the SANDF are further contracted by the United Nations as peacekeeping forces in areas of conflict throughout Africa.

Desert Wolf is expected to hand over six satellite deployment systems to Armscor by mid-2009.

Desert Wolf MD Hennie Kieser says that Armscor approached Desert Wolf because of its successful completion of a number of projects for the SANDF.

In October, 2007, Engineering News reported that the first project for the Special Forces unit of the SANDF was awarded to the company in 2003, followed by a second phase in 2005. The last phase of the contract, for the delivery of satellite trailer systems, is scheduled for completion in 2008.

“The design of all the units required a range of systems using a generic chassis with many different loading bin configurations. The different models have to be air-deployable so that they can be dropped by plane using normal SANDF vehicle parachutes, and with hoist points for helicopter-lifting recovery purposes,” says Kieser.

Also, spares for the trailers have to be inter-changeable and maintenance must be easy. Various camouflage patterns and colours are available and track width and wheel types are matched with the different tow vehicles. Kieser adds that the SANDF required a product that would last for many years, making stainless steel a good choice of material.

Desert Wolf designed and manufactured a range of trailers for the SANDF, the first of which is a general-purpose trailer used for carrying ammunition, tents and other items. The medical rescue trailer units were designed to carry all the medical equipment needed for first-line medical treatment and emergency operations.

“The company designed a foldaway operation table with drawers for the medical equipment, oxygen and anaesthetic gases. A power supply unit and a medical operation tent were also developed,” says Kieser.

Further, it manufactured command and control trailer units, which are equipped with radio communication equipment, and can be dropped out of a plane with a parachute. The unit allows for easy setup of full ground-to-ground, ground-to-air, and ground-to-sea communication capabilities within a short period.

Kieser reports that there are no immediate expansion plans to introduce the military trailers into the rest of Africa as most military forces prefer to purchase similar trailers from Chinese suppliers. However, he reports that the company is planning to establish a production and distribution centre in Vancouver, Canada.

“The company is sending a representative over to Vancouver in July to finalise the company’s registration and to sign the contract for the premises. Initially, the Canadian office will serve as a service centre for trailers that are imported into Canada from South Africa. The company is targeting June 2009 as the date when the Canadian office will move into full production of Desert Wolf trailers in Canada,” says Kieser. He adds that there are no immediate plans to move into the US market. However, Kieser is not ignoring the fact that there is great potential for growth in that region.

He reports that the two foremost challenges in the industry are the rising price of steel and the current energy crisis.

Kieser says that Desert Wolf experienced a 40% increase in the price of steel in the past few months. This has a detrimental effect on the company as the company in turn has to increase the price of its trailers by the same amount in an effort to overcome this. “Because there is no other company in the country that produces a similar product, the company targets the top end of the market. In this sense, the customers understand that increases like this are necessary and are financially equipped to pay more for the product,” says Kieser.

The company has also been hit hard by the current energy crisis. Kieser says that there is no current generator set that is strong enough to run the whole production facility. The company has purchased four smaller generator sets to run the power tools at the facility. He adds that this causes a delay in production schedules. “Fortunately the SANDF and Armscor are very understanding about the energy situation. But it is hard for the company motivate a client in Canada to be understanding about the situation when they are not experiencing a similar one,” concluded Kieser.

Stertil-Koni, the world’s leading provider of heavy-duty vehicle lifts, announced the release of its new hydraulic vehicle lift product today–SKYLIFT.

The new half-scissor lift, in development for nearly two years, has undergone extensive testing prior to its release, including a 25,000 cycle testing program. SKYLIFT meets all industry standards, including the ALI standard for security, safety and weight. It is also ALI / ETL compliant.

Two independent, modular lifting platforms provide complete under-chassis operator access, while its vertical lifting orientation saves valuable working space. The independent lift units can be easily repositioned to accommodate virtually any axle width. SKYLIFT’s ease of mobility makes it convenient and portable. SKYLIFT can be installed in flush-mounted or surface-mounted configurations.

“SKYLIFT is a product that combines the best features of our conventional lifts, creating a supremely flexible lifting system,” says Stertil-Koni president Jean DellAmore. “For instance, most other platform lifts rely on a fixed-base frame system for stability, but frames present tripping hazards and cross members create obstructions that limit access. SKYLIFT’s innovative design does not require base frames or crossbeams, meaning a totally clear, unobstructed work area.”

The SKYLIFT is designed as a modular unit. Four legs (two under each runway) can handle a maximum length runway of up to 45 feet. And unlike most other hydraulic lifts, SKYLIFT is built for multiple loading configurations, as well. For instance, customers can load the lift with up to 77,000 pounds symmetrically and up to 55,000 pounds asymmetrically.

“Installation is easy,” said DellAmore. “Two factory authorized technicians can install the lift in a day, and they can easily relocate the lift from one area of the shop to another in very little time.”

Another important feature of the SKYLIFT line is the impressive floor-to-ramp height: 69 inches (or 1.75m), which provides plenty of headroom and each leg is equipped with an individual measuring device, which ensures smooth and level synchronization within 5/8 inches. SKYLIFT also offers independent hydraulic and mechanical locking systems. With 31 mechanical locking positions, compared with just 24 for most standard lifts, SKYLIFT gives lift operators almost 30% more security.

“Our customers are very excited about this product launch,” says DellAmore. “It’s great for shops that serve a variety of vehicle weights, classes and vocations and its corrosion-resistant galvanized construction makes the SKYLIFT perfect for wash-bay applications.”