WATERBURY, CT -- Element Solutions' electronics unit recorded net sales of $354 million in the first quarter, up 31% from last year.

NORFOLK, UK -- Vanilla Electronics today announced the acquisition of electronics manufacturing services company Bela Electronic Designs. No financial terms were disclosed.

TORONTO – Celestica reported first quarter revenue was $1.23 billion, a decrease of 6% year-over-year.

WASHINGTON ― A US Congressman this week introduced a bill requiring defense contractors to notify the US Department of Defense if China, Russia, Iran and North Korea produce any printed circuit boards used in their electronics systems.

TEMPE, AZ – Benchmark Electronics posted first quarter sales of $505.7 million, down 1.8% year-over-year and 2.9% sequentially.

MILPITAS, CA – North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $3.27 billion in billings worldwide in March (three-month average basis), up 48% year-over-year and 4.2% sequentially, according to SEMI.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The global economy should grow roughly 5% in 2021, says IPC, driven by growth in the US and China. The US should see first quarter growth eclipse 6% (seasonally adjusted annual rate), led by additional fiscal stimulus and the broad lifting of Covid-related restrictions.

WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association today released the following statement from president and CEO John Neuffer in support of a recent letter from top national security leaders to President Biden urging enactment of legislation to strengthen America’s technological edge, including federal investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research called for in the CHIPS for America Act and the Endless Frontier Act:

“A key part of strengthening US national security is ensuring America’s global leadership in semiconductors, which are essential to a range of critical defense applications. SIA joins defense and intelligence leaders in calling on President Biden and Congress to enact and fund legislation to bolster America’s global technology leadership and semiconductor supply chains through federal investments in domestic chip manufacturing and research. Funding the CHIPS for America Act and enacting the Endless Frontier Act will help ensure more of the semiconductors our country needs are produced on US soil, while also promoting America’s leadership in the strategically important technologies of today and tomorrow.”

LAHORE, PAKISTAN – A fire broke out at an electronics manufacturing factory here on Saturday, according to reports. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

SHANGHAI – A massive fire at a Shengrui Electronic Technology factory near Shanghai that broke out yesterday killed eight, including two firefighters, according to reports.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — Total North American EMS orders in March rose 8.9% year-over-year and decreased 8.7% sequentially, says IPC.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American printed circuit board orders in March increased 13.6% year-over-year, and were up 17.6% compared to February.