OYSTER BAY, NY -- Tablet shipment volumes are tumbling, and could fall by nearly one-third in the next five years.

TAIPEI -- After months of speculation and at least one unraveled deal, Foxconn will acquire a 66% share of Sharp for 389 billion yen ($3.4 billion), the companies said today.

LAS VEGAS -- Work on the latest revision to the industry standard for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies has begun, with the task group focused on vertical solder fill for Class 2 product and BGA voiding, among other topics.

HANOI -- Samsung Electronics will invest $300 million in a new research and development project here in exchange for free rent.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn will hold a scheduled board meeting this week as its deal to acquire Sharp continues to twist and turn in the financial wind.

ELK GROVE, CA -- A California-based EMS company is planning a second facility here, enticed by local incentives and industry trends toward onshoring.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC presented IPC Rising Star Awards at Apex Expo to Steven Bowles, L-3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems; Stan Rak, Continental Automotive; Matt Turpin, Zentech Manufacturing; and Peter Zhou, Huawei Technologies.

NORTH YORK, ONTARIO -- ZTest Electronics has decided not to proceed with an expansion of its Permatech Electronics subsidiary and has abandoned a previously announced private placement.

RALEIGH, NC – Six leading assembly suppliers including KIC, Kyzen and and AIM will present a two free all-day workshops on cleaning, materials and x-ray in North Carolina next month.

SAN JOSE -- The global semiconductor market is expected to grow at a 0.3% pace in 2016, reaching $341 billion in total sales, followed by a 3.1% uptick in 2017, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics research.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The SMTA unveiled an annual scholarship for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in electronics and actively involved in the SMTA.

LAS VEGAS – IPC presented Committee Leadership, Distinguished Committee Service and Special Recognition Awards at IPC Apex Expo. The awards were presented to individuals who made significant contributions to IPC and the industry by lending their time and expertise through IPC committee service.