SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – R&D Circuits has acquired Altanova Corp.

ATLANTA, GA – PCB West show attendance rose 20.3% year-over-year, boosted in part by a 22% increase in exhibitors.

WASHINGTON, DC – The reports outlining the US government’s data collection and surveillance programs are having global economic and policy ramifications, and these concerns must be addressed. That’s the view from two technology business organizations, expressed in a letter sent today to the White House’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technology.

ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics continued its acquisition binge, buying the electronics manufacturing services unit of CTS for $75 million. The transaction is expected to generate annual revenues in excess of $200 million and be accretive to Benchmark's earnings in 2014.

HERTFORDSHIRE, UK – A push is on to expand a joint Congolese-NGO program aimed at securing mines across the nation, ensuring a steady supply of "conflict-free" minerals from the war-torn region. The Democratic Republic of Congo's national Ministry of Mines and the iTSCi Programme team are undertaking an evaluation of conflict-free mines in four provinces: North and South Kivu, Maniema and Katanga.

COSTA MESA, CA – IPC and CALCE will host the 7th International Symposium on Tin Whiskers here Nov. 12–13.

OSAKA, JAPAN – Balver Zinn has been granted the right to sub-license Nihon Superior’s SN100C patent.

CALNE, UK – eXception EMS has seen an increase of nearly 25% growth in sales over a two-year period, says the contract electronics manufacturer.

ORADEA, ROMANIA – Plexus has invested $1 million to expand its test development capabilities here. The EMS company's new site includes a test technology design and development laboratory.

DUBLIN, IRELAND -- The worldwide electronics manufacturing services market expanded 1.6% in 2012, well below the previous two years, according to a new research report. The industry continues to be characterized by inventory build-ups and supply chain anomalies, says Research and Markets, noting that 2010 growth was 37%, followed by an 11.3% jump in 2011.

SAN JOSE -- Bay area EMS firm Bestronics has promoted Nat Mani to chief executive, superseding cofounder James Choe, who is retiring. Mani has been president of the company since 2012.

AESCH, SWITZERLAND – Essemtec has been purchased by private investors with an industrial background.