LOS ALTOS, CA -- New US light vehicle production rose 19.9% year-over-year in 2012 to 10.4 million units, driving big gains in automotive electronics. But the joyride might be about to end, new research indicates.

TOKYO -- Juki and Sony today announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of intent to discuss the possible integration of their respective surface-mount technology equipment and related businesses. A new company is expected to be formed and a deal consummated by September.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — OEMs have stepped up investments and operations in Latin America, most notably in the automotive industry, and manufacturing production is poised for solid growth in 2013.

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Sparton today announced improving fiscal second-quarter results in its EMS and medical business units, boosted by higher organic sales and acquisitions.

GREELEY, CO – An FCT Assembly subsidiary has acquired a pair of Texas-based stencil manufacturers.

WASHINGTON – Federal legislation that would restrict exports of electronic waste from the US to developing countries could create as many as 42,000 direct and indirect new jobs, with a total payroll of more than $1 billion, says the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling.

Federal legislation known as the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act was introduced in the last session of Congress, and will be reintroduced this session. The bill would restrict exports of untested and non-working e-waste from the US to developing countries, although it would still allow free trade of tested and working used electronics being exported for reuse.

The legislation is supported by major electronics manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy, as well as by CAER, which represents 82 US companies that operate 158 electronics recycling and disposition facilities operating in 34 states.

A study was conducted by DSM Environmental Services. It found that processing e-waste in the US instead of exporting it to developing countries would create 21,000 full-time equivalent recycling jobs with a corresponding payroll of $772 million.

It has the potential to create another 21,000 indirect jobs. These jobs numbers will increase further as e-waste volumes rise in the years ahead, says CAER. The US EPA estimates that e-waste is growing two to three times faster than any other portion of the waste stream, fueled by the continued proliferation of electronic devices.

The full study is available at www.americanerecycling.org/images/CAER_Jobs_Study_Report.

CHICAGO -- Faulty printed circuit boards are being blamed for ongoing problems with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner electrical system.

STAFFORD, TX -- Flextronics will close its EMS plant here and lay off 150 workers, according to the company.

GALWAY, IRELAND -- Celestica has hired nearly 140 additional workers at its campus here to meet growing demand for EMS work from new and existing customers.

WASHINGTON, DC — Worldwide semiconductor sales in 2012 reached $291.6 billion, down 2.7% year-over-year but still good for the industry’s third-highest yearly total, the Semiconductor Industry Association announced.

BANGKOK – Fabrinet reported second-quarter fiscal 2013 revenue of $167.4 million, up 73.3% year-over-year.

ANGLETON, TX – Benchmark Electronics reported fourth-quarter revenue of $634 million, up 13% year-over-year, and up 4% sequentially.