RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE – Varova acquired a printed circuit board assembly manufacturing site here from Continental, effective from July 1, 2014.

TORONTO -- SMTC reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $7.7 million on revenue of $67.4 million. Revenues were down 7.9% due to the loss of two customers brought about by the closing of its Markham manufacturing site and reduced volumes from three other customers.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn, EMS provider for startups? It's true. The world's largest EMS/ODM has launched a website to connect with entrepreneurs  looking for design and manufacturing support for their ideas.

PARIS -- Eolane was one of the fastest-growing larger tier EMS companies in 2013, seeing sales rise 11.1% year-over-year to 400 million euros ($554.6 million). The EMS company's revenue was boosted by multiple acquisitions made during the previous year.

WASHINGTON -- A US Appeals Court yesterday ruled that the so-called Conflict Minerals clause within the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act violates the First Amendment. The ruling by a three-judge panel could foreshadow a striking of the law by the full court later this year.

BROOKHAVEN, MI — A local county board has given the go ahead for Delphi Automotive to upgrade printed circuit board manufacturing plant here. The auto parts maker last August announced plans to invest $15 million to improve its factory.

SON, THE NETHERLANDS – Neways Electronics International has signed a letter of intent to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of BuS Holding (BuS Group), a German EMS company with annual sales of about EUR 106 million. The deal is expected to be completed in the next few months.

SINGAPORE -- Surface Mount Technology Holdings today warned shareholders that it has failed to find a buyer for their shares and liquidation is possible. The company, which in March was notified of its impending delisting by the Singapore Stock Exchange, is now seeking alternatives including the board repurchase of outstanding shares from minor shareholders, and voluntary liquidation.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has published IPC-1755, Conflict Minerals Data Exchange Standard, giving the supply chain a list of terms and descriptions for conflict minerals data.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- The promise of billions of dollars in investment by Foxconn into Indonesia has the Indonesian Employers Association skeptical. The agency known as Apindo has reportedly told the Indonesian government that Foxconn is "not serious" about its investments here, according to reports.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Worldwide PC shipments totaled 73.4 million units in the first quarter, a decline of 4.4% year-over-year, according to IDC. Although still in decline and with continuing weakness in consumer and emerging market segments, the preliminary results are slightly better than a projected decline of 5.3%.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – The worldwide wearable computing market is finally expanding beyond early adopter status to more functional and stylish lifestyle accessories that are making their way onto the pages of GQ and Shape as well as Computerworld and Wired. Wearables took a huge step forward over the past year and shipment volumes will exceed 19 million units in 2014, more than tripling last year's sales, says new research from IDC.