BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC is encouraging the US Securities and Exchange Commission to go easy on businesses preparing for tracking so-called “conflict minerals” through their supply chains.

The association says while it supports the underlying goal of a recently enacted law that places mandatory reporting on several types of metals to ensure they do not originate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the SEC should allow maximum time and flexibility for industry to implement the new rules and develop supply-chain-based due diligence.

The metals in question include gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum. Congo is home to an estimated 20% of the world's tantalum supply, and also mines the other minerals. Per Section 1502 of the financial reform bill signed by President Obama in July, the SEC is charged with enforcing the rules on American businesses that use or trade those metals.

In written comments to the SEC, IPC outlined complexities for electronics manufacturers that include tracing conflict metals from finished products back through complicated supply chains to the smelter; tracing mineral ores from the smelter to the mines of origin; and identifying which mines are conflict mines (mines whose output is controlled by or taxed by warring factions).

IPC encouraged the SEC to develop appropriate exemptions for recycled materials and materials already in the manufacturing supply chain at the time the regulations are implemented. The association also said the SEC should conduct a thorough economic analysis of the regulation before issuing a final rule.

ALBUQUERQUE – A New York federal bankruptcy court ordered Mark IV Industries to remove contaminated groundwater at its former PCB manufacturing site here, say published reports.

Mark IV formerly operated Gulton Industries and sold the property to Chant Corp. in 1978.

In 1995, the firm agreed to perform site remediation, removing contaminated soil by injecting a hydrogen releasing compound into groundwater. However, in April 2009, Mark IV ceased the work when it filed for bankruptcy.

The Environment Department filed a motion to maintain Mark IV’s cleanup obligations, and the court ruled the cleanup is not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

SAN JOSE – North American manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.59 billion in October orders, up 110.7% year-over-year and down 3.5% sequentially.

The book-to-bill ratio fell below the benchmark 1.0 level, however, suggesting softness ahead.

October billings were $1.62 billion, up 133.7% year-over-year and up 0.7% sequentially.

The book-to-bill ratio was 0.98, says SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.98 means $98 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

“The October book-to-bill ratio dipped below parity for the first time since June 2009, as continued billings strength was accompanied by a hesitation in new orders,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "The market for new equipment reflects seasonal softening and near-term respite in capital spending in some segments of the industry. However, bookings remain at more than double the figure reported one year ago and above the average figure reported during the 2006-2007 cycle.”

FOSHAN, CHINA-- Foxconn workers reportedly numbering in the thousands last week staged protests over wages and planned relocation inland.

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.