CAMPINAS, SP, BRAZIL -- Essemtec has opened a training center here, complementing the SMT equipment OEM's existing sales and support efforts.

SAN JOSE — Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment totaled $36.93 billion in 2012, down 15% year-over-year.

SANTA CLARA, CA — LCD TV panel manufacturers are planning less aggressive business strategies for 2013 as LCD TV demand growth slows, according to NPD DisplaySearch.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The North American PCB Market Report, published this week by IPC, predicts 3.2% growth in the North American printed circuit board market in 2013.

MCLEAN, VA -- US manufacturing technology orders slid 12.2% from a year ago to $370.62 million in January according to AMT -- The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) reported consolidated February revenues fell 25% sequentially and 22.1% year-over-year.

HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS, UK – Smart Group will present a webinar next month on auditing a surface mount production line.

WOBURN, MA – IQLP has opened a materials innovation laboratory here to focus on developing materials and processes for electronics and energy storage applications.

HERNDON, VA – The electronics industry's top needs will be revealed in an Apr. 4 webinar sponsored by iNEMI.

BOUDRY, SWITZERLAND -- Cicor said preliminary 2012 revenue slipped year-over-year but operating profits rose on stronger second-half sales.

WUXI CITY, CHINA -- Jabil reportedly will invest RMB 620 million ($100 million) to build a robot-driven automation equipment plant in Wuxi City, in cooperation with the local government, according to local reports.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn will hire a reported 5,000 specialists here this year to design, build and program factory robots, company officials said.