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BRUSSELS – IPTE will sell its money-losing PCB test division to two company shareholders for 2 million euros ($2.9 million) plus certain additional royalties, the firm announced today.

In a statement, IPTE said it would sell its automation business to Huub Baren and Vladimir Dobosch, whom together own about 34% of IPTE. Baren also is the company's founder.

The terms call for IPTE to receive an additional amount based on the division's profits through December 2012. The sale is subject to shareholder approval and is planned to close in the first quarter 2010.

IPTE plans to take a one-time fourth quarter charge of 17 million to 18 million euros. It is one of Europe's largest EMS companies, with 2008 sales of 166 million euros ($240.7 million), according to the CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50.

WESTLAKE, OH – Nordson Corp. has named Michael F. Hilton as president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 16.

KISSIMEE, FL – Diagnosys Systems is expanding its Kissimmee, FL, PCB test and repair facility in response to greater demand.

SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted a 90-day-moving average of $790.5 million in orders in November and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.06, according to a report published today by SEMI.

TORONTO -- Celestica's acquisition pipeline is full, but it's unlikely the company will consider any smaller EMS companies, the firm said yesterday.

WASHINGTON – Investment in technologies and the opening of markets abroad are at the core of a new policy for manufacturing issued by the Obama administration this week.

Among the components of the proposed policy are to provide workers the opportunity to gain needed skills; investment in technologies and business practices; the creation of efficient capital markets for investment; transition aid; transportation infrastructure investment; an improved business environment; and market access and fairness in foreign markets.

Toward the latter, the policy includes many trade-related provisions, including opening foreign markets, enforcing trade agreements, reviewing export control regulations, and promoting exports.

The document asserts that through “sound government policy,” US manufacturing could see momentous growth.

The Small Business Administration also is taking on programs to support manufacturing exporters: training modules; awareness campaign; business outreach; encouraging trade financing; protecting IP; revising tax breaks; reducing trade deficit, and expanding adjustment assistance.