ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- Electronic manufacturing services provider SigmaTron International today reported revenues rose 73% to $36.9 million during the quarter ended July 31, on demand for appliances, industrial electronics, life sciences and gaming gear. Net income rose 57% to $258,670 versus a year ago.

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WASHINGTON -- The Congressional E-Waste Working Group today brought together the nation's largest e-waste stakeholders in hopes of developing a solution to disposing of the 100 million electronics devices that are rendered obsolete each year.

The participants -- electronics manufacturers and retailers, recyclers, environmental groups and state officials -- discussed what role the federal government can play to mitigate e-waste's effects and how to distribute responsibility for disposal.

The Working Group, a bipartisan effort, was formed in 2005 to explore options to the problem of e-waste.

In a statement, member Rep. Mike Thompson said, "Rather than having a patchwork of state regulations and individual company policies, a federal solution may be a more effective approach."

Added Rep. Louise Slaughter, "We're coming together to produce clear and consistent e-waste guidelines. Developing a national plan is critical if we want to protect our environment and the vitality of electronics manufacturers. If we don't respond to e-waste now, U.S. businesses will be put at a competitive disadvantage, while the consequences to the environment will grow more severe."

The Government Accountability Office estimates that 100 million electronic devices become obsolete each year. E-waste now accounts for more than 40% of the lead and 70% of the metals in U.S. landfills, the Working Group said.

Represented at today's meeting was Best Buy, Consumer Electronic Association, Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition, Dell, Electronic Industries Alliance, Electronic Waste Recycling Program - California, Goodwill Industries, H-P, IBM, International Scrap Recycling, Kodak, National Recycling Coalition, Panasonic, Product Stewardship Institute, Washington State Department of Ecology, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Sony Electronics and CTIA, The Wireless Association.

ST. LOUIS -- LaBarge Inc. has landed an additional $1.3 million contract from Boeing Co. to continue supplying wire harness assemblies for training jets used by the Air Force.

The wire harness assemblies are part of the Air Force's avionics upgrade program, which is aimed at extending the life of advanced supersonic trainers until 2020.

Production will take place at LaBarge's Berryville, AK, facility starting in September and continue through March 2007.

KENOSHA, WI — Promation Inc., a maker of PCB handling and in-line automated equipment, has moved into two new facilities in Forth Worth, TX.

Promation said continued growth in Trotter Controls, the automation segment of its business, required the additional capacity.

The Trotter Controls division produces automated soldering systems and robotic assembly solutions for the North American customers.