WASHINGTON, DC – The latest ECIA Industry Pulse survey shows a decline in August sales sentiment, with the overall index falling from 121.6 in July to 113.2 – well below the July forecast of 127.5. Despite this miss, optimism remains strong as participants project a rebound in September, with sentiment expected to rise to 130.2. Passive and electro-mechanical components led August’s results with index scores of 116.1 and 115.0, while semiconductors trailed at 108.3.

WASHINGTON, DC – Global smartphone production reached 300 million units in the second quarter, marking a 4% quarter-over-quarter and 4.8% year-over-year increase, according to TrendForce. The rebound was fueled by seasonal demand and stronger output from brands such as Oppo and Transsion, which benefited from completing inventory adjustments.

STARA ZAGORA, BULGARIA – Videoton EAS’s Bulgarian subsidiary, VEAS Bulgaria, has officially entered the automotive sector with the launch of serial production of electronic modules for lighting systems. The milestone follows a Certificate of Compliance received last December and successful validation by a leading automotive manufacturer in August .

SOUTHLAKE, TX – Variosystems has relaunched its 65,000 sq-ft facility in Southlake, Texas, expanding its North American electronics manufacturing services (EMS). The redesigned site was unveiled on September 9, in a celebration joined by Mayor Shawn McCaskill, the Southlake City Council, employees and partners.

HUNGARY – Flextronics will invest €5 million in research and development at its Zalaegerszeg facility, growing its footprint in Hungary’s electronics sector. The Hungarian government will support the project with €1.7 million, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed during the announcement in Budapest. The U.S.-owned electronics manufacturer employs 6,000 people in Hungary, with 98% of its products destined for export markets and more than 70% sourced from Hungarian suppliers.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that global semiconductor sales reached $62.1 billion in July, a 20.6% increase year-over-year and a 3.6% rise month-over-month. The results, compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), reflect a three-month moving average.

WASHINGTON – SEMI announced that global semiconductor equipment billings reached $33.07 billion in the second quarter, representing a 24% year-over-year increase and a 3% quarter-over-quarter gain. The strong results were driven by demand for advanced logic and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM applications, alongside increased shipments to Asia.

TAIPEI – Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) posted August sales of NT$606.51 billion, an 11% year-on-year increase YoY. The company’s growth rate for the month stood at 10.6%. Investor sentiment remains positive. Market watchers cite Hon Hai’s expanding role in AI data centers through its alliance with Teco, as well as its growing electric vehicle portfolio, highlighted by Mitsubishi Motors outsourcing EV production to Foxconn.

Inventec is set to establish a presence in Katy, Texas, with renovations beginning this fall on its first US facility in the region. The company has leased approximately 540,000 square feet of space at Park 10 Ninety Nine near Katy Asian Town, signaling a long-term commitment to the area.

TEMPE, AR – Benchmark Electronics has announced a leadership transition with president and chief xecutive officer Jeff Benck set to retire on March 31. Benck, who has led the company since 2019, will continue as an advisor until March 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 – The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) today announced Jackson Schultz, head of engineering at Rainmaker Technology, will keynote PCB West this fall.

MALAYSIA – Scanfil has officially inaugurated the expansion and modernization of its Johor Bahru facility in Malaysia, building its electronics and complex box-build manufacturing capabilities. The EUR 4.3 million investment, first announced in January, expands production space by nearly 50% and enhances efficiency, quality and capacity.