Mark Cambridge

As part of Sigma Technology Group's ongoing market watch, the latest Sigma Insight report highlights key developments in the semiconductor industry, please contact your account manager or DM us for full document: => Memory chip price setback? Delivery and Price Tracking => Passive component manufacturers released price increase signals => Global semiconductor sales jump 21 per cent year-on-year to record high in August => Global semiconductor industry expands investment in 300mm fab equipment 🔔 Stay ahead of the curve - Sigma Insight continues to monitor these trends closely. Connect with us for tailored solutions and insights: [email protected] #Memory #PassiveComponent #Semiconductor #AI #TechTrends #MarketWatch

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As the Chancellor delivers today’s budget with promises to support workers and small businesses, I am hopeful there will be dedicated funding to empower SMEs in the electronics industry. Investing in this sector could drive innovation and revive UK manufacturing, particularly as we see a wealth of talent in fields like defence that is eager to contribute on home soil. Without substantial government support, these opportunities and skills risk being lost to other countries. Now is the time to create meaningful opportunities for UK talent to flourish in the industries that will define our future. What are the thoughts of my connections on LinkedIn? #Budget #Defenceindustry #ForceTechnologies #Semiconductors

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As the semiconductor inventories grew, fab utilisation fell. However, there is a change coming... Our Semis and Downstream Inventory reporting tracks and reports the changes in DOI and how fabs utilisation will tighten as we move forward… How will that affect the supply chain? To find out more, please contact [email protected] or complete a form at BH-Associates.co.uk | semiconductor research (bh-associates.co.uk) #Semiconductor #Technology #TechInsights #Memory Brett Simpson Nam Hyung Kim, CFA Janco Venter Steyn Jacobs Alexi de Unger

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🗣️ "Light is everywhere, touches everything and is the basis for life and how we understand our world" The Photonics Leadership Group released an interesting report offering predictions for the next 10 years in UK #photonics ⌛ Currently, 76,000 people across 1,200 firms in the UK are employed in photonics. With £14.5bn of annual output, it's the 5th most productive manufacturing sector, and is projected to be a £50bn industry by 2035 (creating 150,000 more jobs!) 📈 Light affects more than we think. Innovations in agriculture, autonomous transport, advanced manufacturing and healthcare are largely dependent on advancements in photonics. The #UKGov are investing up to £1bn into #semicon over the next 10 years 💰 However, with the race to semiconductor supremacy well underway, will it be enough to keep up with other countries who have identified the strategic economical importance of photonics early on? 🤔 The full report is below. Interesting reading! #semiconductors #photonics #UK

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Following Nvidia’s Q2 earnings call, join Angus Shillington and Nick Frasse on Thursday, 8/29 at 10 AM ET as they discuss the implications this has for the semiconductor industry and broader market. They’ll unpack the benefits of Nvidia’s fabless semiconductor business model, compared to integrated device manufacturers like Intel and foundries like TSMC. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eesvZwuM -Top takeaways from Nvidia’s Q2 earnings -Assessing the fabless business model vs. traditional semiconductor manufacturing -Outlook for different types of semiconductor companies

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Wafer Cleaning Challenges Grow For Chips, Chiplets ACM Research discusses the importance and challenges of wafer cleaning tools for advanced chips, memory and packaging. (See article below)

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Demand for #Servers to Support Second Half of the Year; #DRAM Prices Expected to Increase by 8–13% in Q3, Says TrendForce Corporation 💡 TrendForce reports that a recovery in demand for general #servers - coupled with an increased production share of #HBM by DRAM suppliers — has led suppliers to maintain their stance on hiking prices. As a result, the ASP of DRAM in the third quarter is expected to continue rising, with an anticipated increase of 8–13%. The price of conventional DRAM is expected to rise by 5–10%, showing a slight contraction compared to the increase in the second quarter. TrendForce notes that buyers were more conservative about restocking in the second, and inventory levels on both the supplier and buyer sides did not show significant changes. Looking ahead to the third quarter, there is still room for inventory replenishment for #smartphones and #CSPs, and the peak season for production is soon to commence. Consequently, it is expected that smartphones and #servers will drive an increase in #memory shipments in the third quarter. Thanks again to TrendForce 集邦科技 for the full article with more background and insights via the link below 💡🙏👇 https://lnkd.in/eQb5ynDa #semiconductorindustry #semiconductor #semiconductormanufacturing #technology #tech #it #chip #chips #ai #aiot #mobil #innovation #Japan #southkorea #taiwan #usa #china #datacenter #cloud #computer #it #ic #samsung #skhynix #micron #cxmt #nanya #winbond #powerchip

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The Financial Times article on the ongoing challenges in the semiconductor industry underscores a critical point: the importance of resilience and self-sufficiency in our tech supply chains. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/en-_-D2r

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In my new role at Sondrel, I wanted to offer my thoughts and views that we are seeing in the current semiconductor industry. I hope you find this article informative.

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Silicon Catalyst.UK, the UK arm of the startup incubator dedicated to fostering semiconductor solutions, hosted an event to celebrate semiconductor startups and to discuss the industry. The UK has a history of innovation and can potentially double the number of semiconductor unicorns in the next decade with continued investment and partnerships. Advancements in technology and innovation are emerging from the UK, positioning it as a leader in the industry. It is through programmes like ChipStart UK that the UK can become a powerhouse once again. 👇 Read more below 👇 #StartupsMagazine #Startups #Entrepreneur #SemiconductorStartups

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CSconnected welcomes today’s announcement by Saqib Bhatti MP MBE that a UK National #Semiconductor Institute will be established to coordinate semiconductor related activities across the UK. The announcement was made on the first anniversary of the launch of a UK semiconductor strategy and follows recommendations in a report commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology following industry engagement over the last year. CSconnected looks forward to a close working relationship with the National Semiconductor Institute which supports the cluster’s vision to make the UK more competitive and sovereign across the tech sector in applications ranging from handsets to data centres, mobility and net-zero applications, healthcare, robotics and AI. https://lnkd.in/eBdhUjyD

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Earlier this year, our Business Development Manager, Tony Hawkins, sat down with Electronic Sourcing magazine to explore the complexities of the UK PCB supply chain. From market challenges to innovative strategies, Tony delves into the factors shaping the industry and how Daleba is navigating these dynamic times. Check out the conversation in the Electronic Sourcing magazine on pages 22-24! https://bit.ly/3T0wKKf #PCB #SupplyChain #Electronics #Innovation #ElectronicSourcingMagazine

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PCB Buyers: Expect Metal Pricing Increases Recent rumblings from both manufacturers and their suppliers indicate copper and gold prices are headed up, driven by the rising needs of green energy. And that, unfortunately, means printed circuit boards will soon be affected as well. Several key laminate suppliers have signaled double-digit price increases in the coming months, challenging many PCB manufacturers who are trying to limit how much of the extra cost they pass on to customers. What can a PCB buyer do to stave off these increases? Here are some suggestions: FORECAST: Ask your sales department. Take a hard look at what you plan to buy of which part number and let your PCB vendor know immediately. This will allow them to place an “anticipated order” of material at today’s prices, helping to keep overall pricing in check. Also ask your vendor what you can do differently to cut costs. For example, maybe change your buying habits from once a month to once a quarter with monthly deliveries. FREIGHT: Have a heart-to-heart with your production people. Do you really need that PCB in 4 weeks’ time when your manufacturing operation is consistent in delivering production assemblies in 8-12 weeks, or even greater lead times? Maybe your company can’t wait for sea freight, but what about air-cargo, which is 12-15 days for transit? How about consolidating multiple shipments? With a little extra planning, that freight cost difference may just offset any materials price increases. FUNCTION: Check with your board designers. There is nothing wrong with you as a buyer asking questions about cost adders. Here are some examples: 1. Are we just being “safe” with the product by having all that extra surface copper or extra mil of copper in the hole to dissipate heat? Would a few carefully placed extra via holes do the trick? 2. Do we need 6 layers of copper, or could we redesign this as a 4-layer, thereby saving copper and avoiding tariffs? (25% tariff if coming from China.) FIELDING QUOTES:  This is the best time to reach out to other potential vendors. I am not suggesting jumping immediately to another vendor on pricing but rather keeping your present vendors on their pricing toes. Don’t be hesitant, though, to bring on a new vendor when necessary, and to let your present suppliers know of this. Your actions (or inaction) will determine how much harder your present vendor base will work for you. Rising costs are nothing new to our industry. But as a board buyer armed with knowledge and forethought, you can influence the impact those costs have on the delivered price. Let me know your thoughts! #pcbassembly #pcbdesign #electronicsmanufacturing

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Dr. Richard Gibson, Product Development Director at Control Techniques, recently participated in the Innovate UK Business Connect - UK Power Semiconductors Landscape Report. This report provides valuable recommendations for strengthening the UK's power semiconductor and power electronics supply chain through four key initiatives: 🍃 Establishing a sustainable foundation for UK front-end activities. ↩️ Taking a distinctive approach to packaging (back-end). 💡 Developing talent in power chips. 🌍 Unlocking the potential of the UK's power electronics and power semiconductor ecosystem. To learn more about this report and its insights on the opportunities and challenges within the industry, please visit the link below. https://brnw.ch/21wJ9Qa #DriveObsessed #ControlTechniques #Nidec #semiconductors #netzero #electricrevolution

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Challenges for the photonics industry Growth, skills and D&I There is a clear skills shortage in Photonics in Scotland, in the UK, and in fact globally not just in Photonics but across many industries. The competition for talent within the industry but also attracting talent into the industry competing with software, renewable energy, and of course finance, medicine, and law for the same skill base is a huge challenge for the industry, and salaries in these industries are often quoted as being higher than Photonics can offer. What's your experience of hiring in the industry?

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