ESNA spoke with ReSolve, part of Arrow's newly launched reverse logistics group, which also includes Intechra, an IT asset disposition services company and Converge, an independent distributor, to discuss the importance of a reverse supply chain logistics program. 
The aftermath of Japan's earthquake last month has left the electronics supply chain struggling with production stoppages and shipment delays of electronic components and raw materials supply.
Because the DRAM market is highly volatile the current buyer's market could quickly swing into a seller's market during the second half of 2011. Buyers will need to keep an eye on several key issues.
FCI acquires MergeOptics
Etters, Pa. — FCI, a leading manufacturer and provider of connector and cable assembly solutions, has acquired the assets of MergeOptics, a manufacturer of active optical cables (AOCs) and optical transceivers.
This acquisition will allow FCI to leverage MergeOptics’ leadership position in AOCs to complement FCI’s passive and active copper cables assemblies for data and communications market applications.
Current data centers and high-performance computing applications feature both high-speed copper I/O solutions for short-to-moderate lengths, and fiber optics via active optical cables or through the use of transceivers for applications that require longer cable lengths, says FCI.
The requirements for increased speed and port density continue to drive suppliers towards higher speed solutions increasing the use of active optical cables and transceivers as the market drives toward 25 Gbits/s per channel high-speed I/O solutions, says FCI.
The active optical cable market is expected to reach 48 million units by 2014, according to a recent report from Information Gatekeepers Inc. Growth drivers include USB and HDMI AOC cables, and higher average selling price (ASP) Infiniband AOC cables.
The report, “Active Optical Cables Market Report 2010,” indicates that the AOC market will exceed 1.2 million units in 2010, reflecting a modest revenue of $137 million. The study notes that new designs starting in late 2009 and through 2010 will drive sales in 2011 to 2012. IGI projects revenues of more than $7 billion over the next five years, with over $2.4 billion in 2014 alone.
Delphi Automotive intros an aluminum cable as an alternative to more expensive copper cabling in automotive applications.