MMI Articles

For contract manufacturing news and EMS industry trends, MMI is the place to go. But don't take our word for it. Here are some important stories we've covered in previous issues:

Contents of the current issue of MMI.

June 2010. Hon Hai hikes wages in China, as a series of suicides puts the company on the defensive. MMI analyzes the potential impact of the wage increase. In another article, MMI tabulates Q1 2010 results for the 20 largest contract manufacturers, and combined sales show high growth year over year. Q1 results are also presented for a group of North America-based providers. Solar panel contract manufacturing is another topic covered in this issue.

May 2010. MMI ranks the 25 largest providers in outsourcing for 2009. The list consists of 14 EMS providers and 11 ODMs. Top 25 sales totaled $234.1 billion for 2009. The EMS-ODM growth gap widened in 2009 within the Top 25. Also in this issue, Hon Hai boosts revenue for the top 11 in EMS. Plus double-digit growth is estimated for first-half sales of the six largest U.S.-traded EMS providers. And IDC issues a new forecast for the contract manufacturing industry. In the news, Sanmina-SCI intends to acquire BreconRidge. Deals by Nortech Systems and Season Group are also covered.

April 2010. In the cover story, Southwest China is becoming a new frontier for contract manufacturing. Another article shows that nontraditional areas combined for the leading share in a market analysis based on 42 Top 50 EMS providers. Market segment percentages are listed for all 42 providers. Yet another article reveals that handset contract manufacturers are expected to lose market share this year, at least on a unit-volume basis. In the news section, Hon Hai will take control of another Sony TV plant. And Elcoteq takes positive steps.

March 2010. MMI releases its annual Top 50 list of the largest EMS providers worldwide. Top 50 companies are ranked based on 2009 sales. Other tabulated data include 2009 growth, 2008 rank, number of people, number of plants, facility square footage, percent space in low-cost regions, number of SMT lines, number of customers and notable customers. MMI Top 50 providers generated an estimated $134.4 billion in combined sales for 2009. The Top 50 cutoff dropped to $190 million. Also in this issue, Hon Hai is said to be resuming investment in Vietnam. Flextronics is going big in solar. The editor's column looks at supply chain risk.

February 2010. MMI's annual summary of EMS industry M&A shows that the number of M&A deals fell precipitously in 2009. This cover story lists 19 transactions closed last year, down 63% from 2008. The M&A summary includes the deal maker, its home base, the type of deal, the target, the target's location and some details about the transaction. This article also presents seven charts of mostly M&A data and 17 alliances and equity partnerships. In another article, Q1 estimates say the year is off to a good start for the U.S-traded sector. Plus MMI blends the contract manufacturing forecasts of four firms.

January 2010. Things are looking up for the EMS industry in 2010. MMI's annual outlook for the year ahead contains ten trends worth watching. In the world markets section, an article finds that so far, there is not much to show for Hon Hai's $5-billion plan for Vietnam. Another section presents some early quarterly results. In the news, Celestica adds an after-market services firm. Hon Hai is expected to become Taiwan's second largest contract manufacturer of LCD TVs this year.

December 2009. MMI finds a substantial gap in nine-month growth rates when a group of large EMS providers is compared with a group of major ODMs. Another article shows that overall business levels stabilized during the past six months for a group of ten North America-based providers. MMI also compiled Q3 results for six European providers. Yet another article points out the differences among three forecasts of EMS and ODM revenue. In the news, Dell plans to sell its Poland plant to Foxconn. IEC and Kitron announce acquisitions.

November 2009. On the cover: a five-year forecast of no growth for EMS. Plus MMI finds sequential improvement in the combined sales of the top-11 EMS providers and summarizes some Q3 results. Based on Q4 guidance midpoints, a second quarter of combined sequential growth is projected for the six largest U.S.-traded providers. Another article shows how the automotive market is driving providers in different directions. The editor introduces the concept of industrial commons in his Last Word column.

October 2009. A revival in Russia? Reportedly, Russia has attracted two more providers. On the environmental front, more substances are called out for potential regulation. Some Q3 results are presented in brief. Among the news stories, Hon Hai and Flextronics are expanding in China. Dell's decision to close a U.S. plant will reportedly result in more outsourcing. Flextronics agrees to make a medical acquisition. Elcoteq shifts to a new investor.

September 2009. Hon Hai boosts Q2 numbers of top-11 EMS providers. A group of 11 large ODMs outperforms the top-11 EMS providers in the first half. MMI also presents first-half results for 13 mid-tier EMS providers in two different ways. Six smaller providers are tabulated as well. In the news section, Hon Hai will buy TV assets from Sony in Mexico. A French provider acquires another French firm. The editor's column examines the extent of EMS-ODM convergence.

August 2009. In the cover story, the LCD-TV space is starting to heat up as a source of new outsourcing. Sony is evaluating its TV operations, and LG has made an outsourcing move. Another article shows why REACH is a challenging regulation for the EMS industry. In the Market Data section, GAAP gross margin for the six largest U.S.-traded providers rebounded in Q2. Q3 estimates for these providers for offer both good and bad news. The editor's Last Word looks at why REACH does not have higher visibility within the EMS industry.

July 2009. MMI's data shows a big drop in first-half M&A transactions, as consolidation deals disappear altogether. Also, EMS providers are outnumbered on a list of the ten largest contract manufacturers of LCD TVs. A new report predicts that the contract manufacturing market (EMS + ODM) will return to growth in 2010. Q2 results are summarized for some large U.S.-traded providers. In the news section, Flextronics has launched a notebook R&D center in Taiwan. The editor's column shows a link between ecology and EMS.

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