HELSINKI -- The parent company of top 40 EMS firm Scanfil has acquired a 40% stake in Panphonics, a leading provider of directional audio solutions.

Tampere, Finland-based Panphonics manufactures high-end speakers.

It is not clear whether Scanfil EMS, which specializes in telecom and industrial products, will directly benefit from the acquisition.

TAIPEI -- Top 20 contract assembler Universal Scientific Industrial reported May revenues rose 21% from a year ago to NT$4.88 billion ($151 million).

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NEENAH, WI -- Plexus is building a design center in Germany, with an expected completion date in the December quarter.

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SAN JOSE – First-quarter global semiconductor equipment orders reached $9.41 billion, up 484% year-over-year, and up 28% compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, SEMI says.

Semiconductor equipment billings reached $7.46 billion, up 142% year-over-year, and up 32% sequentially.

SEMI gathered the information with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan from more than 120 global equipment firms.