COVENTRY, UK – Dr. Peter Barnwell, chairman of Custom Interconnect, will keynote the Smart Group conference Electronics Technology ‘09.

The event will be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 in Coventry, UK.

Barnwell’s presentation, The Role of an Independent EMS Company in the UK – and Some Observations from the USA, will highlight critical services and will draw a comparison with his experience of large high-volume manufacturers in the USA. It will include information about competitive pressures; advantages of UK manufacture; key needs for a successful company; the problems facing large, very high-volume manufacturers; personal experience in the US market, and what the future holds.

For more information about the event, contact info@smartgroup.org.   

FRANKFURT – Siemens has reclassified its Electronics Assembly Systems business as Other Operations and the business is being held for “disposal.”

COLLEGE, MD – The Korea Testing Laboratory has selected DfR Solutions to develop nondestructive techniques for detecting PCB plating defects. 

SHANGHAI – Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA announced record first quarter revenue and net income, on new orders and acquisitions.
 
Net sales were nearly $10.3 million, up 47.4% compared to 2008. The increase is attributable to energy orders and the recent acquisition of Shanghai Intech-Detron Electric and Electronic Co.

TORONTO – SMTC Corp. reported first-quarter 2009 revenue of $48.5 million, down nearly 21% sequentially and 12% year-over-year.