MINNEAPOLIS -- Automated inspection equipment makers Viscom and CyberOptics today announced an OEM agreement to equip the former's solder paste inspection line with the latter's sensors.

SAN JOSE -- Sanmina-SCI today announced the resignation of Hari Pillai, president and chief operating officer.

WASHINGTON – The US State Department is seeking public comments on whether existing regulations governing defense and other exports should be modified or repealed.

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corp. surpassed $1.5 billion in global sales for the first time last year, generating $500 million in the fourth quarter alone. The record-setting total represents a 64% year-over-year sales increase.

The largest annual sales gains were in Europe (120%), Africa (118%), Asia-Pacific (115%), and the Middle East (78%).

The company is projected to reach nearly $1.8 billion in worldwide sales for 2011.

KURESSAARE, ESTONIA -- Electronics manufacturers in the Baltic republic of Estonia are sounding positive notes for 2011.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Sypris Solutions today reported fourth-quarter revenue at its Electronics Group fell 24% from last year to $19.5 million.

SHENZHEN -- SinoHub reported fourth-quarter net income rose 95% to $7.2 million for the period ended Dec. 31.

OLATHE, KS -- Elecsys reported Electronic Design and Manufacturing Services segment sales rose 40% year-over-year to $3.64 million for the three-month period ended Jan. 31.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Last Friday's earthquake won't have a major impact on Japan’s semiconductor production facilities, but will likely disrupt the supply chain.

VELLINGE, SWEDEN -- PartnerTech has given termination notices to 37 workers at its Vellinge Customer Center and will move production to Poland.

HONSHU, JAPAN – The electronics manufacturing industry will feel the aftershocks from the today’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake on Japan’s East coast for some time to come, says an industry research firm.

Objective Analysis anticipates “phenomenal price swings and large near-term shortages” as result of the quake and its follow-on aftershocks.

The semiconductor market research firm said it is conducting status checks of semiconductor wafer fabrication plants in Japan, but because of the size of the earthquake, understanding the total impact could take several days.

More than 40% of the world's NAND flash and roughly 15% of the world's DRAM are manufactured in Japan, the firm says. Japan is a significant source of chips to support consumer electronics devices. A two-week shutdown would remove from production a sizable share of each of these.

Demand will be impacted as well, since many electronics manufacturers are in Japan, and their consumption of semiconductors will be halted until earthquake damage is repaired.

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Raven Industries said operating income at its Electronic Systems Division fell 14% to $1.7 million on a slight drop in sales.