Getting the biggest bang for your million
Article Abstract:
The high cost of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is rising rapidly, with the cost of a typical wafer fab currently standing at $1.2 billion. Many managers are using asset management techniques to maximize return on investment. This technique helps the company determine how best to fund new equipment, and takes into account when a situation may not require leading-edge technology. Asset management goes beyond the financial officer's domain, engineers and marketers can also benefit from the product and manufacturing knowledge gained by this technique. Asset management is based on a needs analysis, a study of existing equipment and what equipment will be required for new products, and what equipment has become obsolete. In order to make the best out of each tool, asset management uses software programs to determine which tool is best to use for each task.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Auto companies bring more suppliers in early
Article Abstract:
The automotive industry is seeking to create partnerships with electronic component vendors instead of just using them as suppliers. As electronic systems in automobiles become more complex, it becomes more critical to ensure products make it to market on time without prohibitive costs. Automobile makers seeking partners look at a number of attributes including delivery ability, wafer fab capacity, assembly capability, quality, reliability and time to market. General Motors is particularly motivated to outsource with electronic component providers because it manufactures 70% of its components in-house where labor contracts are expensive; Ford makes 50% of its electronic components in-house while Chrysler only makes 30% of its electronic components in-house.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Trouble in paradise
Article Abstract:
Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand and South Korea, are experiencing a severe economic downturn started by slumping exports, which have caused national balance-of-payments deficits and hence devalued currencies and eroding stock market indices. Thailand is worst off, where the economic growth rate plummeted to 5.9% in 1996 and may drop to 3% in 1997 and 1998. In South Korea, a 10% depreciation of South Korean currency has worsened the debt position of its 30 chaebols, or conglomerates, so badly that five are in bankruptcy.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Getting the goods on buying groups. I('ve) b(een) m(erchandised). Holidays redux
- Abstracts: Creating sales from DTV transition. The wait is over. Wrapping up the HDMI cable sale
- Abstracts: Getting the most for your ruggedized computer dollar. What you need to know about ruggedized computers. Library Systems: 21st century technology today