CAVE CREEK, AZ -- The High Density Packaging User Group International has launched a project group focusing on printed wiring board environmental life-cycles.

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA -- Key Tronic kept its profitability streak intact, reporting net profits of $1.7 million for its fiscal second quarter ended Jan. 1.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in December increased 13.3% year-over-year and orders rose 2.9% compared to the same month in 2009.

SMYRNA, GA — UP Media Group today announced the opening of Printed Circuit University, the industry’s first online e-learning and training resource for professionals involved in the engineering and design of printed circuit boards and related technologies.

HONG KONG -- Surface Mount Technology Holdings, a top 50 EMS company, reported a fiscal third-quarter loss of HK$27.4 million ($3.5 million), more than twice its loss of a year ago.

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The United States PTO Jan. 25 has issued a patent for an electrical PCB connector to Lotes Co. of Taiwan.

GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works' Power Systems and Electronics unit saw revenue climb 22.8% percent in the fourth quarter versus the year-ago period, capping a strong year.

SHENZHEN -- Electronics ODM SinoHub sold approximately 1.15 million mobile phones in 2010, its first full year of operations, and is adding scores of new reference designs to aid customers.

VELDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS -- Last month, H2 Equity Partners announced a deal to acquire Assembléon, putting to rest the lingering speculation over where the placement OEM would end up after longtime parent Philips put the company on the block.

H2 is buying a company that has rebounded strongly -- revenue was up 90% in 2010 -- from the last recession, and comes with its channel and equipment partners (namely, Yamaha) intact. CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Editor in Chief Mike Buetow spoke this week with Assembléon CEO Andre Papoular about the pending deal and what it means for the company going forward.

DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- Dover Corp.'s Electronic Technologies unit reported fourth-quarter net earnings almost doubled as sales rose 39% to $405 million.

TORONTO -- Celestica reported its fourth-quarter net earnings rose 18% year-over-year, boosted by strength in most of its end-customer markets.

ELKHART, IN -- CTS reported fourth-quarter EMS sales increased 16% year-over-year on demand from the defense and aerospace, industrial, communications and computer markets.