BOAO, CHINA -- Faced with higher worker salaries in Southeast China, Foxconn Technology Group plans to open manufacturing facilities in Hainan and expand operations in Brazil, chairman Terry Gou said yesterday.

HERNDON, VA – iNEMI is forming a project team to develop a white paper based on the Appendices A and B that were removed from the IPC9704A standard that was revised last month.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American printed circuit board shipments in February decreased 2.3% year-over-year, while orders increased 6.5%, says IPC.

Year to date, shipments were down 2.9% and orders were up 6.3%. Sequentially, shipments for February increased 6% and orders increased 6%. The book-to-bill ratio rose 1.04. A ratio of more than 1.0 suggests current demand is ahead of supply, and is considered a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.

Rigid board shipments in February were down 1.9% year-over-year, but orders were up 6.9% compared to the same month last year. Year to date, rigid board shipments decreased 2.5% and orders increased 8.8%. Sequentially, rigid PCB shipments increased 5.9% and orders increased 4.3%. The rigid board book-to-bill ratio climbed to 1.04.

Flex circuit board shipments were down 6.4% and orders were up 1.8% compared to February 2011. Year to date, flex shipments decreased 7.1%, while orders dropped 14.9%. Sequentially, shipments increased 7.4% and orders were up 26%. The flex book-to-bill ratio rose to 1.10.

“Growth rates for both rigid PCB and flexible circuit sales in North America are improving,” said Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research. “Although year-on-year sales growth rates are still negative, they are moving up and nearing positive territory,” she added. “Order growth was especially strong in February, and it pushed the book-to-bill ratio up to 1.04, indicating that sales are likely to continue strengthening for the next several months.”

Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 89% of the current industry in North America, says IPC.

In February, 85% of total shipments were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 85% of rigid and 83% of flex board shipments.

Bare circuits accounted for about 42% of flex board shipment value reported for the month.

HONG KONG -- EMS firm Surface Mount Technology (Holdings) Ltd. has asked its creditors for more time to meet its financial obligations, the company said today.

MUNICH -- Roselektronika (Rosel) and Rohde & Schwarz have signed a memorandum of understanding under which Rosel will distribute Rohde & Schwarz's test equipment in Russia.

SHENZHEN – A Fair Labor Association audit of Foxconn has determined the firm to have excessive working hours and health and safety issues, according to published reports.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has appointed John W. Mitchell president and CEO, effective April 23.

Mitchell has experience in strategic and tactical planning, international alliances and joint ventures, engineering management, creation of intellectual property, product marketing and business negotiations.

Mitchell spent five years as general manager and director at Bose, which he left in 2008. Prior to Bose, he spent 11 years in upper management at Alpine Electronics of America. Most recently, he served as CEO of Golden Key International Honour Society. 

As IPC’s chief staff officer, Mitchell will lead the organization’s global operations and staff and will report to the IPC board. He succeeds Denny McGuirk, who left last fall after 12 years with IPC. Jim Herring, IPC’s interim president and CEO, will assist with the transition.  

Mitchell becomes just the fourth president in IPC's 55-year history, after Ray Pritchard, Thom Dammrich and McGuirk.

OSAKA, JAPAN – Nihon Superior says measurements of products shipped from its distribution center show radiation levels present no risk to its customers.

Since the Fukushima nuclear plant was damaged by the earthquake and consequent tsunami in March 2011, the soldering materials supplier has monitored radiation levels of all goods received into and dispatched from the distribution center.

Measurements have been made in accordance with the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and results have been checked for consistency with those obtained by the Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health. 

Radiation levels for goods passing through the Osaka Distribution Center have stayed below the ICRP limits for normal exposure.

Nihon Superior said it would continue to monitor radiation levels.

PHOENIX – OK International has scheduled an Advanced Package Rework and Repair seminar here May 8.

The seminar will feature the latest techniques to rework and repair BGAs, QFNs and Micro SMDs. Rework demonstrations with real-life applications will be provided.

The seminar will include a 30-minute multimedia presentation, two hours of hands-on demonstrations and instruction, and a question and answer session. The first 20 registrants will be admitted free of charge.

Register at http://seminars.metcal.com.

SHENZHEN -- Nam Tai Electronics today promoted Wang Lu Ping to chief executive, following a year when the EMS firm grew nearly 13%, well above the industry average.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics reported fourth-quarter net profits rose 83% sequentially to NT$35.1 billion ($1.19 billion) on higher demand for consumer electronics.

GARBSEN, GERMANY – LPKF said it surpassed its revenue forecast for 2011 with consolidated revenue up 12% year-over-year to EUR 91.1 million.

EBIT of EUR 15.2 million was down 12% compared to 2010.

The firm, which makes lasers for drilling and cutting printed circuit boards and surface mount stencils, had record order of EUR 25.2 million.

In 2011, LPKF invested in staff, research and development, IT and new facilities, including EUR 14.9 million on fixed assets. The number of employees increased to 602 from 466, the firm says.

The laser systems producer expects to post revenue between EUR 100 million and EUR 105 million in 2012. Revenue growth is planned for all segments.

Given a stable economic environment in both 2013 and 2014, the company expects revenue to grow approximately 10% per year.

EUR 1 = US$1.3335