SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.28 billion in orders worldwide in March, up 16.1% year-over-year, and down 1.2% sequentially, says SEMI. The figures are based on a three-month average basis.

GLENVIEW, IL – Illinois Tool Works today reported first-quarter 2014 revenues up 4% year-over-year to $3.6 billion. Operating income increased 16% to $667 million.

FREMONT, NH – The SMTA Boston Chapter is hosting a plant tour at the Precision Placement Machines facility here Apr. 22.

CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO -- Continued layoffs are expected at SMTC's manufacturing site here as the company attempts to make the operation more efficient and cost-effective.

LONDON -- The past decade has not been kind to Western makers of electronics equipment, as market share of world production has fallen from 67% to 40% during that span, a new research report says. While the West will continue to experience anemic growth over the next couple years, however, even China will see its share slip.

WOMBORNE, DORSET, ENGLAND -- Electronics Technicians Ltd. has completed its acquisition of electronics design house Eagle Techniques, announced last year. Eagle has relocated its staff to ETL's 12,000 sq. ft. site at the Ferndown Industrial Estate.

DALLAS -- The EMS and ODM market will grow to $367.6 billion in 2015, up from 1% from 2013, according to a new report. ReportsnReports values the EMS/ODM market at $363.8 billion as of 2013.

The mobile phone market has the largest growth potential in the EMS and ODM industry over the next five year, the firm said. Growth in EMS and ODM manufacturing of communication terminals is expected to jump 14.3% from $30.8 billion in 2013 to $35.2 billion in 2017.

"The success of Xiaomi, which focuses on marketing and brand promotion while entirely outsourcing manufacturing to its contract vendors, propels EMS and ODM services. Xiaomi's remarkable achievement [will] stimulate a large number of mobile phone companies to follow suit, which opens a wide space for EMS and ODM vendors."

The firm also sees potential outsoucing ahead for major handheld OEMs such as Samsung and LG.

NEENAH, WI -- Plexus on Wednesday announced fiscal second-quarter net income rose 3% year-over-year to $18.5 million despite flat sales. For the period ended March 29, the EMS provider reported revenue of $557.6 million, toward the upper end of previous company guidance and up 4% sequentially.

OWEGO — AsteelFlash has filed a notice with the state of New York indicating plans to close its manufacturing plant here by the end of June. A total of 34 workers will be laid off, the last of the 150 employed when the Paris-based EMS company acquired the site as part of its purchase of Catalyst Manufacturing Services in Jannuary 2012.

RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE – Varova acquired a printed circuit board assembly manufacturing site here from Continental, effective from July 1, 2014.

TORONTO -- SMTC reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $7.7 million on revenue of $67.4 million. Revenues were down 7.9% due to the loss of two customers brought about by the closing of its Markham manufacturing site and reduced volumes from three other customers.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn, EMS provider for startups? It's true. The world's largest EMS/ODM has launched a website to connect with entrepreneurs  looking for design and manufacturing support for their ideas.