MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Surface Mount Technology Association said its membership recently elected Bill Barthel as president.

MANCHESTER, NH – EPTAC Corp. has appointed Brenda Clunie as vice president and operations director.

SURREY, ENGLAND – TT Electronics is forecasting milder profits in 2012 than previously expected, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Center for Responsible Enterprise and Trade (CREATe) has released a white paper outlining the pervasiveness of counterfeit products within global supply chains.

NASHVILLE — SMTA has awarded Kyzen with the Corporate Partnership Award for exceptional support of the trade association.

RVINE, CA -- Flexible circuit fabricator and assembler MFlex expects breakeven net income for its fiscal fourth quarter ended Sept. 30.

SANTA CLARA, CA — Flat panel display manufacturing equipment spending fell 69% in 2012 to $3.8 billion— making 2012 the weakest year in history for FPD equipment makers.

SMYRNA, GA -- Murata Americas and Cogiscan have formed a strategic partnership under which their respective products are combined to offer complete PCB track, trace and control solutions using Murata's novel RFID tag.

EDINA, MN -- SMTA reported more than 1,000 registrants representing over 520 companies and 26 countries for its annual SMTAI trade show this year.

NEENAH, WI -- Plexus named Dan Lewis vice president, defense/security/aerospace sector, responsible for the sector development strategy and implementation, new customer engagement, and overall sector growth.

CHENGDU, CHINA -- Workers at Compal's factory here walked off the line Thursday in protest of working hours and wages.

REDMOND, WA -- Data I/O has named Anthony Ambrose president, effective immediately.