SANTA CLARA, CA – Shipments of 3D LCD TV panels spiked to 7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, up 26% sequentially. As a result, total 3D TV panel shipments in 2011 reached 21.2 million, accounting for 10% of all LCD TV panels shipped, says NPD DisplaySearch.

Advanced LED + 3D panel makers are targeting very strong growth of 138% for 2012, which would lead to 3D LCD TV panel shipments of 50 million units, for a penetration rate of 21.6% of all LCD TV panel shipments, the firm says.

Shutter glass technology use is still larger than patterned retarder technology, with 6.2% penetration in total LCD TV panel shipments in 2011, with patterned retarder accounting for 3.9%. According to NPD DisplaySearch, 2012 penetration rates will increase to 11.6% for shutter glass type and 10% for pattern retarder type.

In addition to TV, panel makers are aggressively promoting 3D monitor panels, especially for consumer entertainment and gaming PCs. In 3D LCD monitor panels, pattern retarder manufacturers are more aggressive than shutter glass makers. Panel makers are targeting shipments of more than 1.5 million per quarter from the second quarter of 2012 onward. This is up from 235,000 in the fourth quarter of last year.

MANAUS, BRAZIL -- It might not be much, but Elcoteq's factory here remains up and running, the smallest facility left of the 14 sites the EMS supplier operated just 18 months ago.

HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND -- Stadium Group is on the prowl for acquisitions, the electronics manufacturing services company said today.

ATLANTA -- Two more "chats" with leading industry experts have been scheduled, featuring outsourcing analyst Charlie Barnhart and industrial environment expert Kal Kawar.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nortech Systems today reported fourth-quarter net income rose 71% over last year to $234,783.

LONDON -- Researchers at a pair of London area universities are finding printed circuit boards a low-cost but effective alternative to bipolar plates in fuel cells.

SUZHOU, CHINA – Enics plans to start operations in the greater Shanghai area in the second quarter of this year.

The industrial electronics manufacturing services provider has signed an agreement with Changshu Municipal and Changshu Southern Development Zone authorities. The new site is 10,000 sq. m. (108,000 sq. ft.), and there is the possibility to double the floor space.

The site is expected to employee several hundred workers when it comes online later this year.

This would be the EMS firm’s second plant in China, with the other in Beijing. No financial terms were disclosed.

DONGGUAN, CHINA – 3CEMS plans to triple the size of its just-opened EMS production plant here by June, the company says.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC reported a 26% increase in attendance over 2011 at IPC Apex Expo, with 4,915 conference and exhibit hall attendees.

IPC said 407 exhibitors participated in the event, resulting in 8,963 total visitors.

The show was the best attended in more than four years.

IPC Apex Expo this year kicked off its first hand soldering contest. Adam Conaway, S and Y Industries, was named Grand Champion.

The show returns to the San Diego Convention Center Feb. 19 - 21, 2013.

TAOYUAN, TAIWAN – Qisda today reported fourth-quarter consolidated revenue of NT$21.86 billion ($739.8 million), up 8.8% quarter-on-quarter. Operating income rose NT$150 million quarter-on-quarter to NT$270 million.  

LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES – Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. reported record 2011 revenues on demand from traditional end-markets and acquisitions.

SAN JOSE — Semiconductor fab equipment spending is expected to remain flat in 2012, then jump to record levels in 2013, according to the latest SEMI forecast.