WASHINGTON, DC – First-half total general aviation airplane shipments worldwide fell 15.5 % to 791, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Second-quarter sales of cellphones grew 65.4% worldwide year-over-year to 106.5 million units.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, with support from MEMS Industry Group, is planning a MEMS workshop here immediately following the European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference, Sept. 15-16.

The workshop will discuss the challenges of developing and adopting MEMS technologies, plus set priorities and direction for future industry-led collaborative programs.

“MEMS devices are experiencing exponential growth,” said Bill Bader, CEO of iNEMI. “Their uses are quickly expanding from the traditional applications of relays, accelerometers and specialized sensors to a broadening array of applications in fluidics, RF components, medical and a growing number of automotive applications. Despite this growth, however, there are still several technology challenges to be addressed, everything from the need for new packaging technologies, to improved test and simulation capabilities, to a better understanding of the basic failure mechanisms.”

For more information, and to register, visit http://www.inemi.org/events/mems-workshop. 

BANGKOK – SVI Public Co. reported second-quarter recorded net profit of $8.6 million, up 44% and a new company record.

LUXEMBOURG -- Elcoteq’s chief executive resigned today following a dispute with its top lenders.

SAN JOSE -- Second-quarter worldwide silicon wafer area shipments rose 5% sequentially, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group reported.

HONG KONG – SMT Holdings will undergo a reorganization ordered by its board in an attempt to turn around the electronics manufacturing services company.
 
The EMS company has entered exclusive negotiations with a potential investor for a restructuring proposal. The investor has not been disclosed, and SMT Holdings said it would withhold further comment until an agreement has been reached.
 
SMT Holdings is a Top 50 contract assembler per the CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50, but its sales dropped dramatically from 2008 to 2009, and even a rebound in 2010 hasn’t stemmed the losses. It was placed on the Singapore Exchange watch list, and its market capitalization slid to about S$5 million.
 
The company operates four SMT plants in China.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC will begin development of a data exchange standard to help the electronics manufacturing industry comply with forthcoming US Securities and Exchange Commission regulations on conflict minerals.

JASPER, IN -- Top 20 EMS firm Kimball International today reported fiscal fourth-quarter sales in its EMS segment fell 13% year-over-year to $163 million on lower demand for automotive products.