STOCKHOLM – SMT equipment manufacturer Mydata has acquired its German distributor Royonic.

SHENZHEN – Software provider Valor Computerized Systems Ltd. has established a technological partnership with Guilin University of Electronic Technology in China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Valor will provide GUET with software, including DFM, SMT programming, optimization, program conversion and process engineering, and GUET will bring Valor software into its educational programs, such as mandatory and elective courses in undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

In addition, a GUET-Valor Training Room for Electronic Manufacturing Software Application will be established for vocational training and open technological training courses.

No other financial terms of the agreement were disclosed.

LAS VEGAS – IPC has issued a call for abstracts for next year's Apex. The event will take place in Las Vegas, March 31 - April 2.

Expert presentations are being sought on all relevant design, PCP fabrication and manufacturing topics. Submissions in the areas of new materials and environmental concerns are especially encouraged. The program committee will choose only abstracts that describe significant results from experiments, emphasize new techniques or discuss trends and test results.

The deadline for abstracts is July 18.

For more information on submitting a conference abstract and/or course proposal, visit www.GoIPCShows.org/CFP.

For information on teaching a course, contact Michelle Michelotti, IPC coordinator of professional development, at MichelleMichelotti@ipc.org.

RENO – Market research firm DataBeans Inc. predicts the worldwide optoelectronics annual market will grow to $17.4 billion in 2008, up 8.6% year-over-year.

The firm expects a CAGR of 12% between 2008 and 2013, when the market will reach $31.2 billion.

Databeans predicts global optoelectronics revenue for lighting and other consumer applications will grow at a CAGR of 14% during the next five years, followed by the medical market, with a growth rate of 13%, and automotive, with growth of 12%.