HELSINKI, FINLAND -- PKC Group reported first quarter net sales grew 149.7% year-over-year on acquisitions and demand for wiring harnesses. Sales for the period ended March 31 were 242 million euros.

PITTSBURGH – iNEMI will hold a one-day MEMS workshop here May 10.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC is surveying members to measure the impact of “onshoring”: the migration of manufacturing operations back to the Americas from overseas in the electronics industry.

The survey will compile data to quantify onshoring (also known as reshoring) in terms of both location of operations and sourcing. Companies and suppliers in the electronics manufacturing industry in the Americas that wish to participate may do so until May 25 by visiting www.ipc.org/on-shoring.

The study looks at onshoring from three perspectives: electronics manufacturing operations moving back to the Americas, new operations that companies choose to build in the Americas, and whether electronics companies are changing suppliers to source more materials from their home region.

IPC’s study is designed to measure the changes that have taken place since 2008, identify where and in what product segments onshoring is occurring, explain why onshoring is occurring, quantify the impact on revenue and jobs in the Americas, and assess the current business environment, as well as the future outlook of onshoring.

The results will be published in June.

CAPE TOWN – African and mining industry representatives have held productive talks on how to reengage several producers of so-called conflict minerals into the international markets.

JASPER, IN – Kimball International today reported fiscal 2012 third-quarter net sales of $284.4 million, down 9.6% year-over-year.

TEMPE, AZ — Economic activity in the American manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 33rd consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 35th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives.

BALTIMORE -- EMS firm Zentech Manufacturing has raised $5.6 million to support future growth, the company told CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY.

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA -- Key Tronic extended its four-year long profitability streak, reporting fiscal third-quarter net income of $3.4 million.

SINGAPORE – Electronics manufacturing services firm Flextronics posted fourth-quarter net sales of $6.4 billion, down 6% year-over-year.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has released IPC-9203, Users Guide to IPC-9202 and the IPC-B-52 Standard Test Vehicle.

The standard aims to help OEMs alleviate materials and process problems, and it serves as a guide to using the IPC-B-52 SIR (surface insulation resistance) test board.

IPC-9203 provides clarification between what a manufacturer “should” do and what a manufacturer “must” do for demonstrating materials and process compatibility, says IPC.

The standard helps answer questions about whether materials are compatible, which tests to do, and how to process test data.

IPC members may request a free single-user download at MemberTechRequests@ipc.org within 90 days of the document’s publication.

For more information, visit www.ipc.org/9203.

SAN MATEO, CA – International Data Corp. today more than doubled its 2012 forecast for worldwide semiconductor revenues.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Electronics manufacturing services provider Firstronic said it has formed an alliance with design firm DornerWorks.

Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly market their respective services to customers requiring design and manufacturing support.

No financial terms were disclosed.