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BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has revised its standard for power conversion devices, offering expanded guidance for design qualification testing and new coverage of moisture sensitivity levels and corrosion.

HELSINKI -- The parent company of top 40 EMS firm Scanfil has acquired a 40% stake in Panphonics, a leading provider of directional audio solutions.

Tampere, Finland-based Panphonics manufactures high-end speakers.

It is not clear whether Scanfil EMS, which specializes in telecom and industrial products, will directly benefit from the acquisition.

TAIPEI -- Top 20 contract assembler Universal Scientific Industrial reported May revenues rose 21% from a year ago to NT$4.88 billion ($151 million).

NEENAH, WI -- Plexus is building a design center in Germany, with an expected completion date in the December quarter.

SAN JOSE – First-quarter global semiconductor equipment orders reached $9.41 billion, up 484% year-over-year, and up 28% compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, SEMI says.

Semiconductor equipment billings reached $7.46 billion, up 142% year-over-year, and up 32% sequentially.

SEMI gathered the information with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan from more than 120 global equipment firms.

ARLINGTON, VA -- Electronic component orders swung upward again in May, according to the monthly order index compiled by the Electronic Components Association.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – A group of leading solder manufacturers has issued a position statement showing its support for government intervention as a means to stop the flow of controversial metal ores from Congolese mines.

WALTHAM, MA – Extech Instruments has awarded two scholarships to local high school graduates.

The graduates were named outstanding students in the Waltham High School Vocational Electronics and Electrical programs.

This year’s recipients are Nicholas Benoit (electronics studies) and Peter Dennison (electrical studies).

Each student also received an Extech EX505 industrial multimeter and IR250 laser IR thermometer.

Extech provides handheld test and measurement tools worldwide.

The EU WEEE Directive, in place since Aug. 13, 2005, could have served as a model for what to do and what not to do when state legislatures propose and enact e-waste Legislation. It would appear that many of the same issues facing manufacturers that place products on the market in the EU are being repeated in the states' legislation.

PICKERING, UK – Contract Production Ltd. has acquired EMS firm Micro Forge Ltd. for an undisclosed sum.

Contract Production, a new company, reportedly has retained most of Micro Forge’s staff, and plans to hire an undisclosed number of new workers.

The firm will focus on low to medium-size production runs, and technical and prototype design assistance.

Contract Production’s first major contract is with Cirrus Research.