WASHINGTON — Worldwide sales of semiconductors rose 8.8% year-over-year in January, marking the industry’s highest-ever January sales total and the largest year-to-year increase in nearly three years. The 90-day moving average sales reached $26.28 billion in January, the Semiconductor Industry Association today announced, down 1.4% from December on normal seasonal trends.

ARENDAL, NORWAY -- Kitron will lay off between 50 and 100 workers at its facility here, the company's largest, according to published reports. The EMS company, which employs 1,100 to 1,200 workers worldwide, plans to cut up to 20% of the 500-person workforce at its site here.

MINNEAPOLIS -- HEI swung to a net profit despite a 25% year-over-year drop in revenue for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 28. The contract assembler reported sales of $8.59 million, down as a result of lack of follow-on orders for military radio system components due to delays and reductions in government procurement.

REDMOND, WA -- Data I/O reported a smaller fourth-quarter net loss despite lower sales. Net sales for the period ended Dec. 31 were 3.3 million, down 10.8% from 2012, while the net loss shrank 53% to $1.6 million.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The US Department of Defense will host a public meeting to obtain views of experts and interested parties in the public and private sectors regarding further implementation of the requirement for detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts. The requirements were established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Server sales from factories worldwide fell 4.4% year-over-year to $14.2 billion in the fourth quarter, the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue declines. Server demand remained weak ahead of a forthcoming refresh cycle, which is expected to emerge in early 2014, said International Data Corp.

LOS ANGELES – Ducommun DLT segment reported net sales for the fourth quarter of $107.2 million, down 4% year-over-year. The decline reflects a 4.9% decrease in non A&D revenue and a 3.7% decrease in military and space revenues at the company's contract electronics manufacturing business.

NORTH BILLERICA, MA — BTU reported fourth-quarter net sales were $11 million, down 8.5% sequentially and down 16% from a year ago. The maker of soldering equipment narrowed its net loss to $3 million, versus a net loss of $4.4 million in 2012.

WESTLAKE, OH -- Nordson today said sales volume in its Advanced Technology Systems segment decreased 10% from a year ago as solid growth in test and inspection equipment was offset by softness in automated dispensing equipment. The unit reported operating income fell in half to $10.4 million on sales of $97.5 million for the period ended Jan. 31.

SIEVI, FINLAND – Scanfil Group posted fourth-quarter revenue of EUR 45.4 million, up 11.2% year-over-year.

SALINE, MI – Contract manufacturer Saline Lectronics was awarded $50,000 in third-party funding to train new and current employees. Saline will use the grant to train employees on the latest manufacturing technologies specifically related to the emerging use of mobile and wireless components in circuit board assemblies.

JESSUP, MD – Metcal’s fifth stop on its 2014 rework tour is scheduled for Apr. 15 at the Holiday Inn Columbia East here.