CARLSBAD, CA – Palomar Technologies has posted its best year since 2000.

“We exceeded our sales, booking and profit targets in 2008, and are carrying a strong backlog into the current year,” said Bruce W. Hueners, president and CEO.

This past summer, Palomar Management bought out the original investor group that spun the company out of Hughes Aircraft in 1995.

The firm provides automated precision microelectronics assembly equipment and contract assembly services.

JACKSON, MI – Sparton Corp. reported a second-quarter net loss of $2.8 million on sales of $54.5 million for the period ended Dec. 31. The net loss increased 50% from a year ago, while sales were down about 0.5%.

MACAO – Top 20 EMS provider Nam Tai Electronics reported fourth-quarter sales fell 9.6% to $169 million as the company fell to a net loss for the December period.

For the quarter, the net loss was $14.5 million, down from income of $9.6 million a year ago. The company took $17.9 million in charges for goodwill and layoff compensation. Gross profit fell 8.7% from 11.3% in 2007.

For the year, the company reported sales of $623 million, down 20.2% year-over-year. The net profit was down 56% to $30.6 million.

At quarter’s end, Nam Tai had $237 million in cash on hand, down from $272.5 million

Telecommunications component assembly sales – Nam Tai’s largest market – fell 11% from 2007 on slower mobile device sales and pricing pressure. LCD sales fell 27.2%, and consumer electronics were down 1.4% during the quarter.