HERNDON, VA -- A new white paper from an International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative task group takes a comprehensive view of the counterfeit components problem by surveying the possible points of entry in the supply chain and assessing the impact of counterfeit components on the industry at various points of use.

BATHGATE, SCOTLAND -- Plexus officially opened a previously announced design center and manufacturing facility here.

TAIPEI CITY -- Global Brands Manufacture forecast sales from automotive products to grow in the the double-digits over the next few years. The bare board manufacturer and printed circuit board assembler expects automotive revenues to reach about $140 million this year, more than 30% of the firm's total revenue.

ANGLETON, TX -- Suntron employees today confirmed the company is now part of Benchmark Electronics, which has remained tight-lipped about the acquisition.

WASHINGTON — Worldwide semiconductor sales reached $23.62 billion in April , down 1.8% year-over-year. Sales were up 60 basis points from March, the Semiconductor Industry Association added.

TAIPEI -- Hon Hai will spin  off its connector business into a separate entity come July, according to a Reuters report.

TOKYO -- A joint venture among Juki, Sony Corp., and Sony's placement equipment business unit have been formalized and will become operational Aug. 1.

MANASSAS, VA – Zestron announced its sixth installment of Zestron @cademy’s free cleaning webinar series.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The US is once again one of the largest and fastest growing regions of the world for semiconductor manufacturing.

SAN JOSE -- Fab equipment spending will grow 2% year-over-year ($32.5 billion) for 2013 and 23 to 27% in 2014 ($41 billion) according to the May edition of the SEMI World Fab Forecast.

ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics has acquired Suntron for an as-yet undisclosed sum, according to an announcement to the latter's customers being circulated on Benchmark letterhead and dated June 3.

HOUSTON – BPM Microsystems has released a white paper explaining memory programming using device serialization.