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BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has issued a call for nominations to recognize contributors to IPC standards development and other activities.

Industry members are encouraged to highlight the achievements of their companies and colleagues through nominations for one or more awards.

Nominations are sought for the following:

The IPC Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award, recognizing a corporation (or division) in the PCB industry (supplier, board manufacturer or OEM) that has taken a leadership role and made contributions to the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.

The IPC Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award, recognizing a corporation (or division) in the electronics assembly industry (supplier, EMS company or OEM) that has taken initiative to actively contribute to enhancing the industry, while demonstrating support of IPC through participation in technical and/or management programs.

The IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award, bestowed on an individual in recognition of extraordinary contributions with broad significance to the electronic interconnection industry and distinguished service to IPC. This is the highest level of recognition IPC can give to a member.

The IPC Presidents Award, for individuals from IPC member companies who have demonstrated ongoing leadership in IPC and have made significant contributions of their time and talent to the association and the electronic interconnection industry.

Committee Leadership Awards are presented to committee chairs upon completion of a standard or specific program. Individuals may receive this award more than once. This award can also be bestowed to an outgoing chairman who has made contributions over a period of time.

Distinguished Committee Service (DCS) Awards, for committee members who have contributed to a specific standard or other IPC program through consistent participation or regular contributions and ballot submission, as well as having made a significant impact on a document or project.

Also, individuals or companies that have given exceptional service to an IPC program or to the industry are honored with the Special Recognition Award. Their activity can be short-term or a one-time event.

Awards will be presented at IPC Apex Expo the week of April 5 in Las Vegas.

Nominations must include the candidate’s name, contact information, and a statement describing his or her contribution(s), how he or she meets the criteria and why they deserve recognition.

For more information, visit www.ipc.org/awards. Self-nominations are accepted.

Send nominations to Awards@ipc.org by Jan. 28.

NANTOU, TAIWAN -- Universal Scientific Industrial, a top 25 global electronics manufacturing services provider, reported December revenues rose 30% year-over-year to NT$5.1 billion ($159.9 million).

WASHINGTON -- Later this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency says it will begin the process to convince users to voluntarily phase out the polybrominated diphenyl ether chemical known as decaPBDE.

EL SEGUNDO – The consumer electronics market continues to show improvement for 2009, increasing to $81.7 billion in the third quarter, up more than 11% sequentially, says iSuppli Corp.

EL SEGUNDO – Component inventories are at their leanest point in a decade, says iSuppli Corp. In fact, they are too lean, the research firm says.

Shrinking demand in the first half of 2009 prompted firms to slash production, capacity and utilization, and inventory; however, many firms cut too much and end the third quarter with stocks too low, according to the firm.

iSuppli makes its comparisons based on days of inventory.

As the year progressed, higher-than-expected revenue growth permitted manufacturers to increase utilization and stabilize ASPs.

In the fourth quarter, iSuppli does not see any indications of an inventory snapback; firms are planning a modest restocking of a few percentage points toward equilibrium.

WESTLAKE, OH – Nordson Corp. acquired its longtime German distributor GLT mbH for an undisclosed sum.

GLT employs 41 and has been a distributor of Nordson EFD’s dispensers and related products in Germany since 1977.

GLT’s revenues and other financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

NEVADA CITY, CA – New Venture Research Corp. acquired the market research business of Electronic Trend Publications on Jan. 1.

ETP publishes market research reports for advanced electronics and energy technologies.

NVR and ETP have worked together for more than 16 years.

BETHESDA, MD – The US Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold a public meeting here tomorrow to discuss rulings on lead in electronics devices and a mandatory recall notice.

POST FALLS, ID – Integrated Ideas & Technologies Inc. has opened a second facility.

The new 8,000 sq. ft. location will be used mostly for just-in-time inventory for clients of its metal fabrication division.

The company also has a 23,000 sq. ft. facility, where it offers laser-cut stencils for surface mount applications.

The firm’s market base includes aerospace, defense, communications and electronics.

IIT expects AS9100 and ITAR registrations to be completed in early 2010.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – A new industry white paper defines limits to guide use of several common SAC solders.

TEMPE, AZ – Manufacturing expanded in December for the fifth consecutive month, according to an industry report released today.

The December purchasing managers index rose 2.3 points to 55.9%, says the Institute for Supply Management. A reading above 50% is considered a sign for future expansion.

The PMI reached its highest mark since April 2006, when it registered 56%.

New orders grew to 65.5%, up 5.2 percentage points, while production steadily increased 1.9 points to 61.8%.

Inventories were up 2.1 points to 43.4%, and customer inventories fell 2 points to 35%. Backlogs also dropped 2 points to 50%.

The overall economy grew for the eighth consecutive month, says ISM.

“This month's report is quite strong, as both the New Orders and Production Indexes are above 60%. The sector may be benefiting from an excessive destocking cycle, as indicated by the recent performance of the Customers' Inventories Index. Customers' inventories have been 'too low' for nine consecutive months, and this month's index is the lowest reading since the inception of the index in January 1997. Overall, the recovery in manufacturing is continuing, but there are still some industries mired in the downturn, as evidenced by the seven industries still in decline,” said ISM spokesperson Norbert J. Ore.

SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors rose 3.7% sequentially to $22.6 billion in November, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported today.