FRAMINGHAM, MA – The worldwide tablet market recorded lower shipments for the fourth straight quarter, with 48.7 million units shipped in the third quarter, down 12.6% year-over-year, according to International Data Corp.

HOLLY SPRINGS, NC – Circuit Technology, an IPC and soldering training organization, has acquired STC, a Minnesota-based training organization.

HAWTHORNE, CA -- OSI Systems said fiscal first-quarter revenue fell 8% from a year ago to $200.1 million. 

REDMOND, WA -- Data I/O said third-quarter net sales slipped 0.9% year-over-year on currency fluctuations but rose 24% sequentially.

NEENAH, WI – Plexus reported fiscal fourth quarter revenue ended Oct. 3 of $668.7 million, up 0.38% year-over-year, and down 0.13% sequentially.

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA -- Key Tronic's fiscal first-quarter revenue rose 46% and the EMS firm swung to a net profit as it fully absorbed the acquisition of Ayrshire.

HELSINKI -- Scanfil's third quarter revenues rose 140% year-over-year, bolstered by its acquisition of PartnerTech.

SAN JOSE -- SMTC today reported revenue slipped 3.8% to $53.1 million and the net loss widened to $1.3 million from $800,000 a year ago.

HONG KONG – ASM Pacific Technology and Siliconware Precision Industries will establish a joint venture to develop and manufacture molded interconnect substrates for advanced semiconductor chips, the firms announced.

ZURICH – Cicor will restructure its PCB and EMS operations and take about $5 million in one-time charges due to pending layoffs, the company said today.

TAIPEI – Electronics manufacturer Lite-On Technology has signed a multi-million dollar deal to create an R&D center with National Tsing Hua University.

SAN JOSE — North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reported the three-month moving average orders rose 35% over a year ago in September.