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EL SEGUNDO, CA – Once the world’s fastest-growing chip manufacturing region, China hit an all-time low in the first quarter, with nearly 60% of the nation’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity unused, according to iSuppli Corp.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The Consumer Electronics Association today signaled its approval of Virginia secretary of technology Aneesh Chopra as the first US chief technology officer.

HAVERHILL, MA -- DKN Research and NY Industries have developed an embedded passive technology built on thin multilayer thick film flexible substrates.

REDWOOD SHORES, CA -- Oracle is breaking into the equipment business in a big way, agreeing to buy Sun Microsystems in a $7.4 billion deal. Closing is expected this summer.

SAN JOSE – The 90-day average of orders of North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers was $278.9 million in March, down 76% from last year.

SAN DIEGO – SMTA’s deadline for submitting 300-word abstracts for the 2009 SMTA International conference is April 24.

ZANDT, GERMANY – EMS firm Zollner Elektronik has opened a technical sales and customer service facility in the US.

NEENAH, WI -- Top 10 EMS firm Plexus Corp. today forecast fiscal second-quarter profit near the high end of previous guidance due to a lower-than-expected tax rate and lower fixed cuts. The company also announced it expects restructuring charges of $2.3 million during the quarter, above prior guidance of $500,000.

TAIPEI -- The chairman of Hon Hai (Foxconn) is aiming for sales to rise 30% this year, but acknowledges the goal will be difficult.

SALT LAKE CITY -- CirTran Corp., an electronics contract manufacturer and supplier of energy drinks, reported 2008 revenue rose 10.3% to $13.7 million. The company's losses dropped 40.7% to $3.9 million. Operating expenses decreased 53.7% to $5.8 million.

Gross profit fell 53.4% to $1.6 million, including a $1.1 million impairment in securities and a $1.9 million interest charge.

GLENVIEWl, IL -- Illinois Tool Works reported first-quarter sales fell 24% year-over-year to $2.91 billion. The conglomerate reported a loss of $39.4 million, down from net income of $303.6 million a year ago.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI today predicted US manufacturing will likely decline for the next one to two quarters, based on a recent survey of manufacturing executives.