Compliance & Precision News Round-Up - Issue 41

This issue covers:

Seaward electrical test solutions at Hannover Messe 2015
National Electronics Week
Recovery in UK panel building market
Review of product recall system is welcomed
Chip sales on the increase

Seaward electrical test solutions at Hannover Messe 2015

Seaward will be exhibiting at the Hannover Messe Trade Show on 13-17th April 2015 in Hannover, Germany.

For an opportunity to get hands on with the Seaward range of electrical safety and production line test equipment, visit the company display in Hall 12, Stand C20.

On display will be the Seaward HAL 104 multifunction safety tester, which offers outstanding levels of flexibility and functionality to dramatically improve the quality and productivity of production line safety testing.

Other test equipment from the Seaward range of compliance testers and precision measurement products will also be on display, alongside dedicated test equipment for electrical appliances and solar PV installations. Full details at the Hannover show website

National Electronics Week

Next month sees the UK's annual National Electronics Week exhibition being hosted at the NEC Birmingham (21-22 April).

Now in its 8th year, the event provides a showcase for the UK electronics and electronics manufacturing sectors.

The exhibition is divided into four separate sectors, Design and Test, Components and Power, Embedded and Software and Production and EMS.

Each part of the show will highlight leading companies, product demonstrations and technology introductions. More details at www.new-expo.co.uk/

Recovery in UK panel building market

According to a report by AMA Research, the UK panel builders’ market was estimated to be worth £540 million in 2014.

The UK panel builders’ market was relatively stable prior to the recession with growth levels averaging around 1-2% per annum, but declined by more than 15% between 2008 and 2010, reflecting the poor performance of a number of product and end user groups during the recession.

Recovery has since followed, driven by a strong performance in specialist sectors, an improvement in private sector construction and a generally more favourable economic climate.

As a result, the indications are that the UK panel builders’ market turned a corner in 2014 and is expected to maintain moderate growth levels, reaching an estimated value of £620 million by 2018.

“Refurbishment and development of the power generation asset base will provide opportunities for panel builders as well as focusing on renewable energy generation” said Keith Taylor, Director of AMA Research.

“Investment in advanced manufacturing and also related R&D in the UK is likely to continue to stimulate investment in capital projects with positive implications for the UK panel building industry in the medium to longer term.” More details at www.amaresearch.co.uk.

Review of product recall system is welcomed

The Electrical Safety foundation (ESF) has welcomed a review of the UK system for the recall of unsafe electrical products.

Responding to the announcement by Jo Swinson, Consumer Affairs Minister, that consumer campaigner Lynn Faulds Wood will lead a review of the UK’s system for the recall of unsafe products, Phil Buckle, ESF Director General said:

“Faulty electrical products pose a real threat to consumers, their families and their property, so we are delighted that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced this independent review of the recall system.

“Not only does it demonstrate that the Government is committed to improving recall effectiveness, we also hope that it highlights the issue of recalls more generally.

“With current success rates for recalls of faulty electrical products being as low as 10% - 20%, consumers, manufacturers and authorities need to face up to the dangers of an ineffective recall system and work together in order to improve it. We hope this announcement is the first step towards achieving this”.

More information on recalls at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/

Chip sales on the increase

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), has announced that the global semiconductor industry posted record sales during 2014.

Total sales of $335.8 billion in 2014, represented an increase of 9.9 percent from the 2013 total of $305.6 billion.

Global sales for the month of December 2014 reached $29.1 billion, marking the strongest December on record, while December 2014 sales in the Americas increased 16 percent compared to December 2013.

2015 has continued the trend with January semiconductor sales of $28.5 billion, 8.7% higher than January 2014 and 2% less than December, reports SIA. Compared to January 2014, American sales increased by 16.4%, Asia Pacific sales increased 10.7%, European sales fell by 0.2%, and Japan sales fell by 8%.

“Global sales have increased on a year-to-year basis for 21 consecutive months and remain strong across most regions and product categories.” says SIA CEO John Neuffer. Full details here