HOUSTON — STI Electronics has opened an IPC-approved training center here, the company's second in the US. The new center will conduct hands-on classes in basic soldering, J-STD-001 certification, rework and repair, and other IPC quality assurance programs such as IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620.

SHANGHAI -- It looks like businesses in China will ring in the new year with at least one carryover from 2013: wage inflation. Worker pay is expected to see double-digit growth in 2014, continuing a decade-long streak that has begun to hamper China's rate of growth and lead some companies to relocate projects to other countries.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Following a 2.5% decline in 2012, the global semiconductor market has regained its footing in 2013 with revenue set to expand by nearly 5% because of the strong performance of the memory sector. Global semiconductor sales in 2013 will amount to $317.9 billion, up 4.9% from $302.9 billion in 2012, according to preliminary estimates from research firm IHS.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY -- Several IBM inventors have filed a patent application for an adapter for plated through-hole mounting of surface mount components. The disclosure relates to printed circuit board assembly techniques, and more particularly, to the attachment of temperature sensitive components designed for surface mounting.