ARLINGTON, VA — Electronic component orders soared in June to their highest point in two years, according to the monthly order index compiled by the Electronic Components Association.

PROSPECT, CT – Business in the US contract manufacturing industry is expected to increase in the next twelve months, according to a recent Design-2-Part show survey.

The results from just over 2,000 respondents indicate that nearly three times as many OEMs expect an increase in outsourcing/purchasing projects as those who expect a decrease, outnumbering them by a ratio of 2.8 to 1. The show producers did not break out electronics manufacturing respondents.

Just over 31.1% said they expect an increase, while only 11.1% anticipate a decrease, and 57.8% conveyed their outsourcing projects would remain the same.

The Santa Clara, CA, region showed the highest percentage of respondents expecting an increase, at 40%, versus 4.4% expecting less outsourcing.

The survey also revealed that offshoring may not be as popular as it once was. When asked where they currently outsource the majority of their projects, only 9.8% of respondents said “overseas.” Outsourcing locally was the leading choice at 32%, followed by regionally and nationally with 29.2% and 29%, respectively. The leading reason why they use local vendors was “hands-on access/vendor visits,” which outpolled “delivery time/cost” and “support the local economy.”

The survey polled recent D2P attendees on their needs for outsourcing custom parts and services during the next year.

BEIJING – Enics will invest several million euros to increase the capacity of its plant here, a move that could mean 50% more employees.

The EMS firm said customer orders have grown significantly for the past 12 months.

The manufacturing area expansion would permit the head count to rise to 900, if needed, from the current 600. SMT capacity will increase by 100%, the firm said.

“Our market situation has developed positively during the first half of the year and this has lead us to decide to increase the capacity at Beijing plant. The growth has been possible through strong customer focus and drive for continuous improvement by the whole Enics Beijing Team,” said Ari Räisänen, senior vice president, operations.
 
The capacity increase project will be made in several phases beginning in the September quarter and ending by December.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – EMS firm SigmaTron International Inc. today reported fourth-quarter revenues were $35 million, up 29% compared to the same quarter last year.

TAIPEI – Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) reported non-consolidated revenues of $6.15 billion for June, up 20.9% sequentially and 54.2% year-over-year on strong consumer electronics and PC shipments.

The mark set a company monthly high.

The firm’s revenues in the first half of the year were nearly $29 billion, up 57% compared to the same period in 2009.

With consumer electronics demand expected to remain strong in the third quarter, some forecasts predict Foxconn’s revenues could hit $6.2 billion in July.

MILTON, NY – Sono-Tek Corp. reported first-quarter sales of $2.3 million, up 56% year-over-year.
 
The firm had net income of $94,752 for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $169,427 for the prior year period. 

During the quarter, sales of most products increased, in particular fluxer units, widetrack units and solder recovery systems when compared to the prior year, the firm says. Sono-Tek also increased its spending for engineering and market development.

The second quarter is expected to be as strong or stronger than the first quarter.

Sono-Tek develops and manufactures liquid spray products based on ultrasonic nozzle technology.

NEW YORK -- Macroeconomic issues will temper revenue and earnings growth among contract electronics manufacturers over the next few quarters, a leading industry analyst said last night.

NEW YORK -- Pressures to reduce costs will be the primary drivers of decisions by aerospace and defense companies to use external engineering services during the next two to three years, according to Accenture research released today.

SANTA ANA, CA -- A recent study by noted expert Chrys Shea identifies root causes of stencil printing process defects.

TORONTO -- Saying Mexico offers a superior alternative to China, contract electronics manufacturer Adeptron Technologies has partnered with an EMS provider there.

FREMONT, CA -- Stencil and fixtures provider Manufacturing Resource Corp. has opened operations in Illinois.

BRIDGEWATER, MA -- Chase Corp. reported May quarter revenues of $39.6 million, up 58% from last year.