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TOYKO -- Sony Corp. will cut the number of suppliers it uses to 1,200 from 2,500 within the next year as the company tries to reverse its first net loss in 14 years.

MADISON, AL – STI Electronics Inc. will distribute the complete AIM line of electronic solders and chemicals throughout the Southeast.

No financial terms were disclosed.

STI offers a complementary product line and a variety of training services.

Headquartered in Montreal, AIM manufactures assembly materials, producing solder paste, liquid flux, cored wire, bar solder, adhesives, preforms, and specialty.

VIENNA – Werner Engelmaier, president of Engelmaier Associates, has received the TGM-Exner-Medal from Technologisches Gewerbe Museum and the Austria Government, just the 14th recipient in the 90-year history of the award.

STAMFORD, CT – Western Europe’s personal computer sales were 20.1 million units in the fourth quarter of 2008, up 12% year-over-year, according to Gartner Inc.

"If it wasn't for mini-notebooks, the overall Western European market would be showing a decline. This does not bode well for 2009, as we expect the general economic conditions to worsen," said Ranjit Atwal, principal analyst at the research firm.

Hewlett-Packard and Acer, leaders in the area, boasted shares of 23.2% and 20.3%, respectively, with Dell holding 10.1% of the market, says Gartner.

ASUS and Toshiba held 7.4% and 6.4% market share, respectively.

PC shipments grew 17.2% in the region last year compared to 2007, reaching 66 million units.

MILWAUKIE, OR – A recent survey of engineers found that while more 90% were diligent in creating a correct profile, nearly 60% did not display that same diligence when it came to verifying that profile on a regular basis.

ST. LOUIS -- Viasystems reported first-quarter sales dropped 31.6% from a year ago to $123.4 million as demand for automotive and telecom PCBs plunged.