TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics reported fourth-quarter net profits rose 83% sequentially to NT$35.1 billion ($1.19 billion) on higher demand for consumer electronics.

GARBSEN, GERMANY – LPKF said it surpassed its revenue forecast for 2011 with consolidated revenue up 12% year-over-year to EUR 91.1 million.

EBIT of EUR 15.2 million was down 12% compared to 2010.

The firm, which makes lasers for drilling and cutting printed circuit boards and surface mount stencils, had record order of EUR 25.2 million.

In 2011, LPKF invested in staff, research and development, IT and new facilities, including EUR 14.9 million on fixed assets. The number of employees increased to 602 from 466, the firm says.

The laser systems producer expects to post revenue between EUR 100 million and EUR 105 million in 2012. Revenue growth is planned for all segments.

Given a stable economic environment in both 2013 and 2014, the company expects revenue to grow approximately 10% per year.

EUR 1 = US$1.3335

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- Synopsys today unveiled an initiative to accelerate the design of stacked die silicon systems using 3D-IC integration.

OAKLAND -- Digicom Electronics has moved to a new, larger facility here, the company announced.

SAN JOSE -- Optical component and systems OEMs Oclaro and Opnext have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction valued at about $175 million.

TOKYO — In the late 1980s, cash-rich Japanese companies began buying up prized American landmarks such as the famed Pebble Beach golf course.

Are Chinese companies about to do the same to Japan?

LYON, FRANCE – The MEMS market saw 17% growth in 2011, reaching $10.2 billion, according to Yole Développement.

STMicroelectronics capitalized on the exploding demand for motion processing in mobile phones for a 42% jump in MEMS sales, to push past $900 million in revenues, edging up with traditional sector leader Texas Instruments, Yole says.

Texas Instruments’ more mature micromirror MEMS business saw more modest, single-digit growth, but also passed the $900 million mark. Bosch is a strong 4th place MEMS company, with growth in 2011 in both automotive and consumer electronics. Bosch and STMicroelectronics are now the main manufacturers of accelerometers in the consumer electronic fields, the firm says.

Smartphone demand drove 40% or better growth across a whole range of sensor suppliers. Knowles Electronics moved up to 4th on 40% growth in MEMS microphones to $362 million. Magnetometer supplier AKM jumped 46% to $279 million and 8th place. Though most magnetometers are not a purely MEMS technology, they are now so closely integrated with accelerometers that Yole now tracks them with the MEMS industry.

Fabless InvenSense jumped 67% to $144 million, thanks to its gyroscope and motion sensing offerings made at TSMC, and pulled off the MEMS industry’s first major IPO. MEMSIC reported better than 80% growth on the strength of its magnetometer and accelerometer sales, to enter the Top 30 ranks at $55 million, says Yole.

The four leading IDMs – TI, ST, Hewlett Packard and Robert Bosch – together sell some $3.3 billion worth of MEMS devices, accounting for around a third of all MEMS sales worldwide. These Top 30 companies account for almost 80% of total MEMS packaged device sales worldwide, the firm adds.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Stratasys and Optomec have successfully completed a joint development project to merge 3D printing and printed electronics to create what they are calling the world's first fully printed hybrid structure.

AUSTIN, TX -- A local contract assembler is facing $50,000 in fines following its conviction for violating state hazardous waste laws.

SAN JOSE — North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reported February bookings exceeded billings for the first time since September 2010, although the numbers were considerably behind those of a year ago.

NOVA DUBNICA, SLOVAKIA -- Enics has named EMS veteran Jan Kotka general manager of its plant here, replacing Markus Greber.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA -- Australia's Attorney General has banned Huawei from bidding on a federal, multi-billion dollar broadband network project, citing concerns over cyber-terrorism.