TOKYO – Shipments of SMT process and assembly equipment fell 81% during the first quarter, according to the Japan trade group that tracks the data.

SAN JERONIMO, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO -- Although no longer talking about employing 30,000 workers here, Foxconn (Hon Hai) plans to have 7,500 employees in place by fall, according to published reports.

GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works' Power Systems and Electronics unit's May quarter sales fell 37.1% year-over-year, the company reported today.

ENDICOTT, NY -- Endicott Interconnect Technologies has acquired the assets of eV Products Inc., a maker of x-ray and gamma-ray detectors. Financial terms were not disclosed.