ARLINGTON, VA -- Down in January, up in February, down in March, up again last month: electronic component orders continued their 2005 seesaw ride, according to the monthly order index compiled by the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association (ECA). 

"Anytime you see an uptick such as the one in April, it's a good sign," said Bob Willis, ECA president (ec-central.org). "So far, it's been a positive year, but we are still seeing fluctuations from month to month as a result of manufacturers' uncertainties about where the market is heading."

For the quarter, gross margin increased to $930,000, from $100,000 a year ago. Selling, general and administrative costs were $1.14 million, down 13.6% from $1.32 million.

Sequentially, sales were slightly higher while the net loss was lower.

F. Michael Marti, president and CEO, said Adeptron "has made significant progress by reducing costs while maintaining revenue. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2004, we engaged in an aggressive and ongoing campaign to improve the cost structure. The cumulative effects of these cost reduction measures will be more evident in the second quarter and fully reflected by the third quarter."

NATICK, MA -Cognex Corp., a supplier of machine vision systems, has acquired DVT Corp., a privately-held company based in Duluth, GA.

Cognex purchased the outstanding shares of DVT with a cash payment of $104 million made at the closing, and a final payment of up to $11 million in cash to be paid at the end of a one-year escrow period.

Cognex plans to maintain operations at the Georgia facility, and to continue selling and supporting the vision products through DVT's existing third-party distribution channel.

As a result of the acquisition, Cognex expects an increase in its revenue of approx. $15 - $20 million during fiscal year 2005.