RICHARDSON, TX – Vi Technology this month will launch a tour to bring its new SPI to the US and Mexico. The inspection OEM has reserved a series of "learn and lunch" meetings to present the technical features and offer a hands-on experience to users.

DUBLIN -- Eastern Europe accounted for electronics production worth €55 billion ($63 billion) in 2013, according to new research.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – December North American printed circuit board sales were down 1.9% year-over-year, says IPC. The 90-day moving average orders suggest more lean times are ahead for domestic fabricators, the trade group added.

MINNEAPOLIS – The SMTA is accepting applications from full-time graduate-level students pursuing a degree and working on thesis research in electronic assembly, electronics packaging, or a related field, for the $5000 Charles Hutchins Educational Grant.

FREMONT, CA — Datest today said sales rose 15% year-over-year in 2013. The privately held PCB test, test engineering, and inspection company attributed the growth to nearly 60 new accounts won during the year.

DEARBORN, MI — Panel discussions on issues fundamental to the future of aerospace and defense manufacturing are previewed in new podcasts posted in advance of AeroDef Manufacturing Summit and Exposition, which takes place Feb. 25–27 at the Long Beach (CA) Convention Center.

LONGVIEW, TX -- Flextronics will close its facility here by the end of March and lay off up to 80 workers, the company indicated this week. Programs at the site will be consolidated at other locations in the state. Some workers will be allowed to transfer, the firm said.

TORONTO – Celestica reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.437 billion, in line with guidance, down 4% year-over-year.

CHANDLER, AZ – Koh Young America has launched its newly renovated demo lab here, providing hands-on training and demonstrations on solder paste inspection and automated optical inspection systems.

BILLERICA, MA — MRSI Systems, a developer and manufacturer of turnkey chip placement and dispensing systems, announced today it has completed a leveraged buyout of assets from parent company Newport Corp. MRSI paid $6 million in the deal, with funding provided by a private investment group comprised of senior leadership, plus Massachusetts Growth Capital and Boston Private Bank & Trust.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Lenovo will acquire the Motorola Mobility smartphone business from Google for nearly $3 billion, the PC giant announced today. The agreement will significantly strengthen Lenovo’s position in the smartphone market, while enhancing its market presence in North America and Latin America.

SAN JOSE -- Flextronics today announced fiscal third-quarter net income slipped 3.6% to $145.2 million. For the period ended Dec. 31, the EMS company had net sales of $7.2 billion, up 16.7% and exceeding previous company guidance of $6.5 billion to $6.9 billion.