WASHINGTON -- The US flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 53.2 in July, up130 basis points, according to Markit.

MILPITAS, CA – Flextronics reported first-quarter net sales were $5.79 billion, down 3.2% compared to the same period last year.

ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics said second-quarter net income fell 43% year-over-year as one-time restructuring charges took their toll.

GAITHERSBURG, MD – The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced a competition for grants to support new or existing industry-driven consortia to develop research plans that address challenges impeding the growth of advanced manufacturing in the US.

CHICAGO – BEST said its annual tech symposium will focus on soldering of bottom-terminated components and how to clean around them.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- OEMs will spend $265.2 billion on semiconductors in 2013, up 4.2% from 2012, according to new data from IHS iSuppli.

MINNEAPOLIS -- HEI swung to a second-quarter net profit of $678,000, reversing a loss of $351,000 a year ago.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Ayrshire Electronics has named Myron Blackburn senior vice president of operations, responsible for day-to-day operations of the EMS company's manufacturing facilities.

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – ACE Production Technologies is taking registrations for its upcoming selective soldering workshops. The introductory workshop will be held Aug. 6-7 at ACE’s facility here. 

MILPITAS, CA -- Flextronics today announced the creation of an accelerator business to support companies working on early-stage, disruptive technology in hardware and software. The new program will provide both financial and services support to startups with less than $5 million in funding.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – Electronics manufacturing services firm SigmaTron International reported fourth-quarter fiscal year 2013 revenues were $51.3 million, up 29.2% year-over-year.

ELKHART, IN – CTS Corp. posted second-quarter 2013 revenues of $151.6 million, up 1% sequentially and down 2% year-over-year, driven by softness in EMS markets.