ST. LOUIS – Viasystems Group reported a net loss of $9.5 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to a profit of $7.4 million in the same quarter last year, according to published reports.

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ – Dynamic Controls said it would close its money-losing contract manufacturing division here and lay off up to 60 workers.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – Driven by a series of government policies, revenue for China’s medical electronics industry is slated to nearly double in five years starting from 2011, says IHS iSuppli.

China’s medical electronics industry is being negatively impacted by the weak global economic environment, especially in the export sector, the firm says. However, a series of stimulus efforts is being carried out by the Chinese government this year, boosting domestic demand.

Revenue in 2011 from China’s medical electronics industry amounted to $4 billion, a 19.6% year-over-year expansion. IHS estimates that medical electronics’ revenues will reach $4.8 billion this year, a further 18.4% increase. With strong momentum generated by government policies, the market is expected to reach $7.4 billion by 2016, equivalent to a five-year compound annual growth rate of 13%.

IHS predicts revenue from consumer medical devices will rise to $1.1 billion in 2012, a 19% increase from 2011.

The research firm forecasts that China’s consumer medical devices market will use up semiconductor devices valued at approximately $70 million in 2012, accounting for 28.5% of total consumption.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – More than half of all electronics OEMs worldwide plan to reduce the number of contract manufacturers they work with during the next year, according to a survey by IHS iSuppli.

LYON, FRANCE -- Embedded wafer-level-package revenue is on the rise, but has a long way to go to reach significant levels.

HORSHAM, PA -- Aegis Industrial Software has acquired Diplan's operations in Germany and Asia for an undisclosed price.

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- A Sparton subsidiary has agreed to acquire Onyx EMS in a $43.25 million all-cash transaction, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

NEENAH, WI ‑- Plexus today announced its disengagement as a supplier to its top EMS customer, Juniper Networks.

NEVADA CITY, CA – More designs will include stacked packages in coming years, according to the latest research.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Sypris Solutions reported September quarter revenue fell 13.6% from last year and the EMS company swung to a loss.

WASHINGTON, DC — The 90-day moving average of worldwide semiconductors sales rose 2% sequentially but fell 3.9% year-over-year in September as the global economic malaise continued.

BARCELONA — The consumerization trend has hit IT as an unstoppable force, as 821 million smart devices (smartphones and tablets) will be purchased worldwide in 2012 and pass the billion mark in 2013, according to Gartner.