OYSTER BAY, NY -- Smartphone shipments now account for a larger percentage of mobile handset shipments than feature phones and low-cost handsets in much of the world, but the trend is shifting.

MILAN – Flextronics opened a 53,800 sq. ft. medical design center here, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON – IPC's annual lobbying trip to Washington will take place June 19 and 20.

ENDICOTT, NY – Endicott Interconnect Technologies said CEO Jay McNamara retired as of April 12.

GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works today reported first-quarter revenues at its Test & Measurement and Electronics segment fell 2.1% from a year ago.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Ayrshire Electronics chairman and chief executive Milo Bryant has died following a brief illness. He was 82.

TORONTO -- The loss of RIM as a major customer set back Celestica's revenue by 19% year-over-year for the period ended March 31.

SAN JOSE – Sanmina Corp. reported revenue of $1.43 billion for the second fiscal quarter ended Mar. 30, down 2.1% year-over-year, and down 4% sequentially.

ATLANTA -- The US has reached parity with Mexico as a preferred nearshoring location, and is positioned to compete with China even in terms of costs, new research asserts.

DANDERYD, SWEDEN -- EMS provider Note swung to a March quarter net loss on lower demand in all regions.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY -- Multinational EMS provider Kitron reported first-quarter profits plunged 86% to NOK 1.38 million ($236,000) on weaker demand in Europe and delays at its US operations.

FT. WORTH, TX -- A multi-million dollar renovation has begun on a former Foxconn building here now reportedly leased to Flextronics, according to local reports.