Quadrant Solutions, a supplier of magnets and magnetic assemblies announced today that Kathy Gornik, former co-founder of high-end loudspeaker manufacturer Thiel Audio, has joined the company in a new business development role. Gornik’s appointment is effective immediately.
Manufacturers
Foxconn International Reports Biggest Financial Loss in Its History
Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. (FIH), announced today that for fiscal year 2012 the company had the biggest loss ever since it listed its stock in 2005. FIH, which says it is the world’s largest contract manufacturer of cellphones, booked a net loss of $316.4 million for the year.
Why did FIH lose money for the first time? See details below… [Read more…] about Foxconn International Reports Biggest Financial Loss in Its History
Nortek SVP & Treasurer Edward J. Cooney Passes Away Suddenly
Nortek, Inc. announced today the sudden passing of its Senior Vice President and Treasurer Edward J. Cooney. Mr. Cooney had joined Nortek in 2001 after a 22-year career with Amtrol, Inc. Initially operating as the company’s Vice President and Treasurer, Cooney was named Senior Vice President in 2011.
See more on this unexpected development… [Read more…] about Nortek SVP & Treasurer Edward J. Cooney Passes Away Suddenly
New Details of Drama Emerge in Continuing Sharp & Samsung Soap Opera
A story that has stunned many in Japan, the partnership between two former arch-rivals Sharp Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co., continues to churn out surprising new details of the backroom drama worthy of the most melodramatic soap opera. As the Japanese press digs up more of these stories, it is clear that Sharp – as desperate as it had become – was nervous, measured, and a little tentative in approaching the new pact.
See some of the surprising behind-the-scenes drama that is emerging from this unusual partnership… [Read more…] about New Details of Drama Emerge in Continuing Sharp & Samsung Soap Opera
Robotic Transporter – Is This the Future of Elder Mobility?
Imagine for a moment you owned a robot – a mobility robot – kind of a enclosed wheelchair with a windshield and roof. It comes when you call it – instantly at your disposal and ready for your next command. You tell it where you want to go…and it drives you there all by itself. Could you use a robot like that?
If you were elderly or otherwise infirm – it could restore your freedom… [Read more…] about Robotic Transporter – Is This the Future of Elder Mobility?
Ube Announces It Has Expanded the Capabilities of Its New Smart Dimmer
Ube – a start-up company that offers new ways to implement the processing power of smartphones interlinked with cloud-based software to bring new possibilities to consumers at affordable prices – announced today that it has expanded the capabilities of its first product, a smart dimmer. This announcement was made in conjunction with the company’s launch of their smart dimmer project on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.
See the expanded capabilities of Ube’s smart dimmer, and the progress of its project, below… [Read more…] about Ube Announces It Has Expanded the Capabilities of Its New Smart Dimmer
Pioneer Launches Navigation System for Bicycles
Pioneer Corp. announced it has entered a new product category with a navigation device specifically designed for use on a bicycle. The cleverly designed device will be available late this month, the company said at a press announcement on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.
See why bicyclists are going to want to mount this device to their bikes… [Read more…] about Pioneer Launches Navigation System for Bicycles
Denon Tries a New Tack in Receiver Design: Easy
Denon Electronics, part of the D&M Group, introduced a new receiver line-up on Tuesday that really embodies a trend they’ve been championing for a couple of years now – to optimize their products for consumers by making them “easy” (as in easy to hook-up and easy to use). In fact, the company calls this new receiver line-up their “E-Series” and say the design philosophy was actually four “E’s” – Easy, Exciting, Entertainment, and Experience.
See more on why Denon says this line is “easy”… [Read more…] about Denon Tries a New Tack in Receiver Design: Easy
Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
*STORY UPDATED BELOW* – FOXCONN ‘OFFENDED’
The Nikkei reported today that South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Company has agreed to invest ¥10 billion ($107 million) into former high-flying, now troubled Sharp Corporation as it continues to struggle to raise much-needed cash. According to the report, Sharp will issue the shares to Samsung possibly as early as this month.
The surprise announcement signifies that Samsung will have own significant share of Sharp… [Read more…] about Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
Apple Supplier Foxconn Halts Expansion and Freezes Hiring; Sign of iPhone Slump?
The Nikkei in China reported today that it has learned that key Apple, Inc. supplier Foxconn Technology Group (also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.) has stopped plans to expand its production capacity at its large facility in Zhengzhou, China. This is the facility that assembles smartphones such as Apple’s iPhone5 and the news has set Wall Street buzzing that this is another sign of the waning dominance of the formerly powerhouse iOS line.
Separately, Foxconn fueled the fire by additionally announcing a freeze on hiring factory workers at the plant. Reuters is reporting that the Foxconn freeze extends to all of their factories in China.
