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WASHINGTON– The U.S. tech sector added nearly 190,000 jobs over the past 18 months, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Between January 2004 and June 2005, employment in the tech sector reached 5.72 million, up 3.4% during that time.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil Circuit Inc. yesterday reported net earnings rose 59% on a 25% jump in sales for its fiscal fourth quarter. Jabil, a top-tier electronics manufacturing services provider, said net income was $70.5 million, in the August quarter, and revenue was $2.04 billion.

SANTA BARBARA, CA -- A California nanotech firm has launched an RoHS-compliant solution to printed circuit board failure.

Proprietary technology from Interface Sciences Corp. uses dense molecular arrangement on the nanoscale in addition to the use of unconventional molecules.

Dr. Damon Brink, ISC's chief science and technology officer said, the concept "leads to a stronger, more reliable product at a fraction of the cost, while enabling low-cost resin and material systems to be used in high-performance boards assembled with lead-free solder."

The firm said the solution mediates problems stemming from the use of lead-free solders.

Interface Sciences is an early-stage nanotechnology commercialization company holding platform technologies that were developed by a major government laboratory. The company's emphasis is on materials and surface innovation at the nanoscale.

JACKSON, MI -- Sparton has passed on buying Celestica's PCB assembly plant in Iowa, saying that anticipated DoD work earmarked for the site has failed to materialize. The EMS provider said last spring it would try to buy the 70,000-sq. ft. Mount Pleasant plant and save the 340 jobs.

TAIPEI -- Abit, a publicly traded manufacturer of PC hardware, is putting its main production facilities in China on the market and will outsource its manufacturing, according to news reports.

According to local press reports, Abit will use the proceeds to retire debt.

WETZLAR, GERMANY -- Golden Gate Capital has acquired the semiconductor equipment division of Leica Microsystems AG. Terms were not disclosed.

David Dominik, managing director of Golden Gate, said in a statement. “SED is well-positioned for growth as a market leader in mask metrology, optical defect review, and direct-write E-beam lithography.” In 2004, the division's revenues were approximately $120 million.

Leica Microsystems SED will continue to be led by the current management team, with manufacturing operations in Germany and the U.K. The company will be called Leica Microsystems SED for a short transition period until a new name has been established.

The acquisition represents the second semiconductor investment for Golden Gate in 2005. In April, the investor group acquired TDK Semiconductor, now named Teridian Semiconductor.

Leica Microsystems makes quality control and defect analysis solutions and E-beam lithography systems for the semiconductor industry.

Leica Microsystems AG is a subsidiary of Danaher Corp.