BOSTON -- Strong demand for air freight in key markets and freight backlogs are delaying shipments and pushing rates higher.

In certain gateways, rate increases have hit 30%, Trans Global Logistics said in an email to customers.

The demand for air lift is in line with seasonal patterns, the firm said, although the surge for capacity hit "about a week earlier than normal."

March often ends the first fiscal quarter, the firm noted, which in turn ignites a surge in electronics exports. "High-tech importers continue to tell our operations staff that demand should be strong later this month."

Sites with major backlogs include Bangladesh, Seoul, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan have seen prices increase as much as 30%. In other areas, carriers will only accept cargo at express rates, which can add another $1.50/kg. to the cost of shipping by air.

Some carriers have announced new fuel surcharge increases as well.

SAN JOSE -- Sanmina-SCI Corp. , the electronics manufacturing services company, today announced that its Kunshan, China facility has passed the registration audit for ISO/TS 16949 certification.

The certification is the highest international standard for the automotive industry.

ISO T/S 16949 is an international quality management system certification that aligns existing American (QS-9000), German (VDA6.1), French (EAQF) and Italian (AVSQ) automotive quality systems into a single standard, eliminating the need for multiple certifications.

ISO/TS 16949 certification acknowledges that Sanmina-SCI has the necessary systems and processes in place for design, development, manufacturing, installation and servicing of automotive-related products

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- SigmaTron International today reported net sales grew 36% year-over-year but earnings dropped 79% for quarter ended Jan. 31.

The electronic manufacturing services company posted net income of $300,000 on net revenues of $34.1 million. "While our overall third quarter results were disappointing, we continue to believe that we have laid the foundation for continued growth and long-term success," president and chief executive Gary Fairhead said.

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MANKATO, MN -- Winland Electronics, an electronics manufacturing services firm, today reported record fourth-quarter sales of $7.6 million, up 15.1% from last year and 2.7% sequentially. Net income increased 61% to $671,171.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, gross profit was $2 million, or 25.9% of sales, up 20.5% from a year ago. Total operating expenses rose 20.5% percent to $1.1 million. Operating income increased 20.5% to $875,616.

For the year, revenues were $29.1 million, up 20.3% over fiscal 2004. Net income rose 88% percent to $2 million. Gross profit was $7.2 million, or 24.8% of sales, up 30.1% from last year. Total operating expenses rose 12.3% to $4.1 million. Operating expenses as a percent of net revenues fell to 14% of sales, down 1 point, indicating increased operational efficiency and driving a 63.7% increase in operating income, from $1.9 million for fiscal 2004 to $3.2 million for fiscal 2005.

In a statement, Winland chief executive Lorin Krueger said, "During 2005, we increased our efforts to improve sales of our proprietary products into the security electronics industry. Proprietary products enhance our margins and contributed to our overall profitability.

The contract with the company's largest EMS customer, Select Comfort, will end in August, and Winland anticipates that sales to the company will fall after the second quarter. According to Krueger, Select Comfort plans to source half its product from Winland.

The company had $900,000 in cash at quarter's end and working capital of $6 million. The company spent $845 ,000 in capital expenditures during the fourth quarter, and almost $1.3 million during fiscal 2005.