AMETEK Announces Agreement to Acquire Abaco Systems
On March 22, 2021 AMETEK, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Abaco Systems, Inc., a leading provider of mission critical embedded computing systems, from Veritas Capital in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.35 billion. The transaction is subject to…
Fire Hits PANJIT International Semiconductor Manufacturing Factory
Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer PANJIT International’s Gangshan fab was hit by a fire on March 29, 2021. All employees were evacuated safely. The fire was put out shortly thereafter. The company stated that the location of the fire was in the electrical room on the top…
Suez Canal Blocked by Giant ‘Evergreen’ Container Ship for Six Days
An ultra-large container ship operated by Evergreen ran aground on the Suez Canal on Tuesday, March 23. This container ship as since blocked traffic on one of the world’s most important waterways, Egypt’s “Suez Canal”. Located 75 miles east of Cairo, the canal links the Mediterranean…
Fire Halts Production for Chipmaker Renesas
Renesas Electronics Corp., one of the biggest makers of automotive chips, reports a fire at its Naka factory has temporarily halted all production. The fire occurred at the Renesas Naka factory (located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture) on March 19, 2021, at 2:47 am in their…
Regulation and Compliance updates
EPA Delays PIP (3:1) Enforcement up to 180 Days
In March 2021, the EPA announced a 60-day public comment period to collect additional input on five final rules for persistent, bio accumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals issued January 6, 2021 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA is issuing a temporary 180-day…
Regulation and Compliance updates
Resilience of a Global Supply Chain Requires Compliance Measures To Mitigate Regulatory Risk
Risk is inherent in every company’s global supply chain. Risks to seriously consider include, but are not limited to: export controls and sanctions, environmental, social and governance compliance requirements, labor laws, and health and safety laws. What Compliance Considerations Exist Today? The two most…
Renesas and Dialog Semiconductor to Join Forces to Advance Global Leadership in Embedded Solutions
On February 8, 2021 Renesas Electronics Corporation, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Dialog Semiconductor Plc, a provider of power management, charging, AC/DC power conversion, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) technology,announced they have reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended all-cash…
Regulation and Compliance updates
TSCA Final Rules for Five PBT Chemicals
On December 22, 2020, The United States Environmental Protection Agency ” EPA” released the final rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that will reduce exposure to five chemicals that are persistent, bio accumulative and toxic (PBT). These rules came in to be effect…
Texas Winter Storm Disturbs Semiconductors Chipmakers
Power outages across Texas caused by the most recent cold front have shut down several semiconductor chipmakers’ plants clustered around Austin. These chipmakers include Samsung Electronics, NXP, and Infineon. These impacts are adding further disruption to a supply chain that has already been falling short…
Earthquake Strikesthe Coast of Fukushima Prefecture
On the evening of the Saturday, February 13, 2021, a large earthquake shook a broad area across eastern Japan with its epicenter off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. According to the National Meteorological Agency, the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the country’s east coast at 11:07…