BANNOCKBURN, IL -- IPC has released an update to its guidelines for stencil design.

ATLANTA -- Umut Tosun of Zestron will moderate a chat this week on cleaning applications within the SMT process, UP Media Group announced today.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES --- Cirtek Holdings Philippines has its eye on a fellow semiconductor package assembly and test provider in Southeast Asia, the company confirmed.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Semiconductor stockpiles held by chip suppliers increased during the first quarter of 2012, but the rise in inventory for a second straight quarter was driven by the anticipation of higher demand from customers, according to an IHS iSuppli Inventory Insider Market Brief report.

NORTH BILLERICA, MA – BTU International announced recipients of the 2012 Dr. Jeffrey Chuan Chu Memorial Fellowship Program in partnership with Middlesex Community College and Lowell, MA.

TORONTO -- SMTC has bought out its Chinese joint venture partner, Alco Electronics, and will expand its Dongguan, China, electronics manufacturing facility.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn Technology reported unconsolidated sales in May fell 27.4% to NT$2.8 trillion ($93 billion).

INDIANAPOLIS – A quartet of researchers has published a new book describing the lifecycles of electronics parts and software, and explaining processes of obsolescence forecasting, and reactive, proactive, and strategic management of obsolescence.

BAKERSFIELD, CA – NuSil Technology said it is planning a large facility and expanded capabilities here.

EDINA, MN -- The SMTA seeks abstracts on a range of topics in surface mount assembly and electronics packaging for the 2013 Pan Pac Symposium.

The abstract deadline is Sept. 7. The event takes place in Maui, Hawaii.

Submit abstracts and view more info at smta.org/panpac/call_for_papers.cfm

CHENGDU -- Foxconn's campus here was reportedly the scene of a massive riot Monday night as as many as 1,000 workers faced off against company security guards.

NEW YORK -- A rebound in demand for telecommunications equipment is increasingly unlikely for 2012, according to a pair of the leading EMS suppliers in that area.