SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Raven Industries soared to new heights, setting records for sales and earnings for its third quarter ended Oct. 31.

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- A top Sparton executive says the EMS firm has looked at "many" potential acquisitions but hasn't found the right ones.

TAIPEI – Hon Hai (Foxconn) said it has signed agreements on IC design, cloud computing and wireless and solar technology with a number of US firms.

IRVINE, CA -- Probe Manufacturing reported its fourth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, and backlogs are growing, suggesting a continued upswing.

HAMELN, GERMANY -- Orpro Vision has expanded its AOI manufacturing capacity to support demand for post-paste and post-soldering inspection gear.

KARLSKOGA, SWEDEN -- Top 40 EMS provider Kitron will move certain programs to lower-cost nations and lay off 55 workers its operations here in hopes of improving profitability.

MILWAUKEE, WI – A majority of manufacturers are optimistic about an economic uptick in 2011 at their organizations, according to a recent ASQ survey.

More than 1,200 manufacturing professionals from the US and Canada responded to the online survey.

Of the respondents, 68% predict revenue growth for 2011. That’s up from a year ago, when 64.7 % of respondents predicted revenue would grow in 2010.  This year, when asked if their organization did experience revenue growth in 2010, 67% indicated “yes.”

Only 18% expect a pay freeze at their organizations in 2011, compared to 44.8% in 2010.

Eighteen percent predict mandatory budget cuts in 2011, whereas 35.2% did in 2010.

Forty-eight percent of manufacturers expect a salary/merit increase, and 42% expect to maintain current staff levels. Another 42% expect to hire additional staff.

Forty-seven percent of organizations expect to continue to create processes to reduce costs, down from 61.3% in 2010.

The survey asked whether staff reductions or other cutbacks implemented in 2010 negatively impacted the quality of the products/services delivered, with 33% believing the quality of their products/services was negatively impacted. Thirty-two percent believe the quality did not suffer.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Sypris Solutions reported a third-quarter net loss from continuing operations of $1.7 million, up from a net loss of $1.9 million for the prior year.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Greenpeace regularly takes electronics companies to the woodshed for their environmental practices. Now IPC is turning the switch on Greenpeace.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nortech Systems will acquire the EMS assets of Mankato, MN-based Winland Electronics for an undisclosed amount.

SAN JOSE – Third quarter worldwide silicon wafer area shipments rose sequentially to their highest levels ever, SEMI said.

WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers is questioning pending US Environmental Protection Agency permitting guidance for greenhouse gas emissions. The new rules go in to effect Jan. 2.