HELSINKI – PKC Group reported net sales for the April to June quarter of EUR 244.8 million, up 124% year-over-year.

TAIPEI – Global smartphone shipments are expected to top 630 million units in 2012, up 35% year-over-year, says Digitimes.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Following a lackluster period of average annual market growth in the semiconductor industry, a significant upturn is in store for the next five years, according to IC Insights.

EGHAM, UK – PC shipments in Western Europe totaled 13.6 million units in the second quarter of 2012, down 2.4% year-over-year, says Gartner.

TORONTO – Electronics manufacturer SMTC Corp. reported second-quarter revenue of $75.1 million, up 54% year-over-year.

SINGAPORE – Electronics manufacturing services provider Venture Corp. reported net profit for the second quarter ended June 30 of $33.6 million, down 19.9% year-over-year.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has released IPC-HDBK-850, Guidelines for Design, Selection and Application of Potting Materials and Encapsulation Processes Used for Electronics Printed Circuit Board Assembly.

SHENZHEN – VJ Electronix has opened a customer support and demonstration center here.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The first IPC standard that originated outside the US, IPC-7527, Requirements for Solder Paste Printing, is the first standard developed that focuses on the application of solder paste.

GAINESVILLE, GA – Count On Tools says it has expanded its manufacturing operations at its headquarters here.

LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES – Electronics manufacturing services firm Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. reported a first-half 2012 net income increase of 173% to  $3.1 million year-over-year.

ST. LOUIS – Viasystems Group reported second-quarter net sales of $296.9 million, up 9.6% year-over-year, and up 13.3% sequentially.