NEC seeks to settle supercomputer case; chairman offers to share technology with Cray; a threat to bypass US
Article Abstract:
Supercomputer maker NEC, seeking to reverse a multimillion dollar Commerce Department penalty imposed for dumping, offered to help competitor Cray Research develop new technology, but also threatened to base its operations in Canada, thus bypassing US regulations, if its appeal is unsuccessful. NEC is accused of selling a supercomputer to the National Center for Atmospheric Research for less than its cost, a violation of anti-dumping regulations. NEC may have to pay fines totalling as much as 454% of the $32.5 million contract. The company's chairman suggested that if competing bidder Cray Research drops its claims, NEC might share CMOS-vector supercomputer technology with its rival. If the judgement stands, NEC plans to use supercomputing centers in Canada to process data from the US, which would be transported using high-speed connections. Cray Research, owned by Silicon Graphics, has a market share of 50% of computers costing more that $5 million, while NEC and Fujitsu have a combined 30%, but the demand for such systems is shrinking.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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Small high-tech firms hire as giants lay off staff; job-applicant pool and demand for lower-cost technology improve
Article Abstract:
Smaller high technology companies are hiring more workers, despite larger firms' laying them off, causing some hope in the recession-plagued industry. A survey conducted by Corporate Technology Information Services Inc of 1,464 companies showed that small technology firms expect employment to grow 4.8 percent between the summers of 1992 and 1993, as opposed to the employment growth reported in the previous year of 1.1 percent, and some companies expect a size increase as high as 600 percent. Small firms are generally optimistic about economic improvement, and their own sales are growing. Because such companies have specific market niches, they are likely to do well financially even when the economy does not. Some small companies report amazement at the number of applicants responding to their job openings.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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