HONG KONG -- PKC will establish NPI centers in Estonia and Brazil as it seeks to expand its customer offerings to every major manufacturing region. Separately, the contract electronics assembler announced it would close its operations in Ireland and that company president and chief executive Matti Hyytiäinen would relocate to a newly established subsidiary here on an interim basis to help grow business in Asia and China.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY -- Kitron today reported fourth-quarter revenue rose 4.4% to NOK 462.4 million ($84.5 million) on higher demand for marine end-products.

CHICAGO -- Boeing engineers investigating problems with the new Dreamliner 787's batteries say the short circuits might have been caused by metal whiskers.

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Manufacturing companies should think in terms of “right shoring,” not off-shoring or reshoring, according to John Shook, CEO and chairman of the nonprofit Lean Enterprise Institute.

NEW YORK -- Revenues from outsourced medical electronics manufacturing reached $16.56 billion in 2012 and are expected to grow 11% compounded annually through 2019, a research firm says.

ROME, NY -- The ESD Association today announced the release of a pair of standards covering electrostatic discharge testing and nomenclature.

VELLINGE, SWEDEN -- PartnerTech today reported fourth-quarter sales fell 15% from last year to SEK 550 million ($87.5 million) on delayed or substantially reduced demand from a number of customers late in the quarter.

NEW YORK -- Despite lingering weakness in the global economy and continuing uncertainty in technology markets, the outsourced manufacturing industry is expected to post moderate revenue growth this year as original equipment manufacturers increase their outsourcing activities to capitalize on opportunities for expansion across multiple industries including consumer electronics, industrial electronics and automotive electronics.

MANASSAS, VA -- Cleaning products provider Zestron will present a 45 min. webinar on cleaning before conformal coating on Feb. 14 at 1 pm Eastern.