MILPITAS, CA – North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $3.41 billion in billings worldwide in April, according to SEMI, up 49.5% year-over-year and 4.1% sequentially.

PHETCHABURI, THAILAND – More than 800 new employees at the Cal-Comp Electronics factory here have tested positive for Covid-19, forcing a voluntary two-week shutdown, according to reports. This brings total confirmed cases in the region to nearly 1,700.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – After a steep drop in 2019, sales of memory ICs rebounded 15% during Covid-plagued 2020, says IC Insights. Following up on that increase, stronger DRAM pricing is expected to lift total memory revenue 23% this year to $155.2 billion.

ELYRIA, OH – Three students this week became the first graduates at Lorain County Community College to receive bachelor’s degrees in microelectronic manufacturing.

EUCLID, OH – US Lighting Group intends to form a new division, RVtronix, to design, manufacture and distribute electronics for the RV Industry.

TAIPEI – Orient Semiconductor Electronics plans to grow its EMS business beyond electronics and strengthen its collaboration with Chipbond Technology in 5G, IoT and automotive electronics, according to reports.

SON, THE NETHERLANDS – Neways Electronics said conversations about a non-binding conditional indicative proposal by VDL to acquire all outstanding shares in Neways’ share capital have ended, following a unanimous conclusion of the board of directors and the supervisory board of Neways.

BAC GIANG, VIETNAM – A government committee near Hanoi ordered three Foxconn production facilities to close until further notice due to a Covid-19 outbreak, according to reports.

VANCOUVER, WA – Silicon Forest Electronics is merging with ESAM and Bay Computer Associates through a stock purchase agreement with VergePointe Capital in Lake Oswego, OR.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC issued a call for technical conference abstracts for IPC Apex Expo 2022. The conference will be held Jan. 25-27 at the San Diego Convention Center.

LOUISVILLE, KY – Sypris Electronics reported first quarter revenue of $6.8 million, down 21.8% year-over-year.

MUNICH -- Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire Supplyframe, a design-to-source platform for the electronics value chain, for $700 million, the companies said today.