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.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- Smartphones and computers are spurring sales of surface mount technology soldering equipment, according to a new survey.

MANCHESTER, NH -- EPTAC Corp. has created three skills training programs for assembling soldered terminals, crimped lugs, various connectors and ultimately entire cable assemblies within a defined harness.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Sypris Solutions' contract electronics assembly sales were flat in the second quarter but jumped 15.2% sequentially.