SANTA CLARA, CA — As flat panel displays become more prevalent in applications such as navigation, multi-functional in-console monitors, and rear seat entertainment, NPD DisplaySearch expects shipments for the automotive segment to grow nearly 50%, from 42 million units in 2011 to 62 million in 2015.

LA FRESNAY, FRANCE – Eolane has acquired electronics manufacturer Elcoteq Tallinn AS for an undisclosed sum, according to published reports. 

GARDEN GROVE, CA – OK International is offering Advanced Package Rework and Repair Seminars in 2012.

The seminars will address the latest techniques to rework and repair BGAs, QFNs and micro SMDs. 

The events will feature rework demonstrations with real-life applications and will include a 30-minute multimedia presentation, two hours of hands-on demonstrations and instruction, and a question and answer session.

Applications and topics include repair, rework, low-volume assembly, prototyping, screen printing for single components, flux gel deposition for BGA/CSP rework and repair, temperature profiling, and site preparation for rework and repair.

The seminar series is scheduled in the following areas:

April 10 – Northern California (Bay Area); April 25 – New England (Boston area); April 26 – NY Metro (Long Island); May 8 – Phoenix; May 22 – Guadalajara; May 22 – Chicago; May 24 – Minneapolis; June 5 – Baltimore area; June 5 – Los Angeles; June 7 – Orange County, CA; June 19 – Dallas, TX; June 21 – Austin, TX.

To register, visit http://seminars.metcal.com. The first 20 registrants will be admitted free.

STRAMBINO, ITALY – Seica SpA last week signed the final contract to acquire an industrial lot to build a facility for engineering and manufacturing activities here.

No financial terms were disclosed.

Seica SpA develops and manufactures systems and applications for testing electronic boards and modules.

The firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

STOCKHOLM – Mydata says its system sales increased 47% in 2011 – a record year, representing gains in market share for its entire SMT product line.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has announced the winners of the Best US and International Papers of IPC Apex Expo 2012.

Taking top honors in the International category, the winning paper is “Lead-Free Selective Wave Solder Guidelines for Thermally Challenging PCBs,” by Ramon Mendez, DFM/process development engineer, Celestica, Monterrey, Mexico. His coauthors are Ismael Marin and Helen Lowe, also from Celestica.

MINNEAPOLIS – CyberOptics Corp. today reported fourth-quarter consolidated sales of $13.8 million, down a slight 1.43% compared to the same period in 2010.

The firm’s revenues exceeded previously announced revenue guidance of $12.8 million to $13.5 million.

Net income was $547,000, a drop of 43.7% year-over-year, consistent with guidance.

Operating income was $688,000, down 31.2% compared to last year's fourth quarter.

For full-year 2011, consolidated sales increased 7% to $61.1 million, reflecting sales increases of 31% for inspection systems and 37% for the WaferSense product family, which were partially offset by an 18% decline in sales of SMT and solar sensors.

2011 net income rose 39% to $4.4 million compared to 2010.

“Our fourth quarter results were driven by strong sales of inspection systems, which increased 57% during this period. Within this product category, sales of automated optical inspection systems, led by our best-in-class QX500, increased 84% to $4 million in the fourth quarter and by 118% to $15.7 million for the full year,” said Kathleen P. Iverson, CEO and chair.

ORLANDO – The SMTA International technical committee requests abstracts for SMTAI 2012, scheduled Oct. 14-18 here.

PARIS – Electronics manufacturing services provider Asteelflash reported revenues of $780 million for 2011, up 18% year-over-year.

IRVINE, CA – Probe Manufacturing said today it has received a long-term commitment from a telecommunication company to provide global electronics design and manufacturing services.

Probe shipped $275,000 in 2011 to this new customer and expects substantial growth in 2012.

No other financial terms were disclosed.

SAN JOSE -- Cisco is seeking a buyer for the former Scientific-Atlanta set-top box business, according to a published report.

TUCSON, AZ – In a recent Offshore Group podcast, Harry Moser, founder and director of the non-profit Reshoring Initiative, says, “Manufactures, simple and complex, are returning to the US and North America.”