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.

NEVADA CITY, CA -- The 2010 electronics manufacturing assembly is in the early stages of a five-year growth period, according to a new research report.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) reported February revenues rose 25.8% year-over-year but fell 17.9% sequentially to NT$152.9 billion ($5.15 billion) on demand for consumer electronics.

PHILADELPHIA – Aegis Software is partnering with MetricStream to deliver a comprehensive solution for total quality management across a manufacturing enterprise.

The solution combines Aegis' shop-floor and process-level quality system with MetricStream's solutions for CAPA, regulatory compliance, supplier quality and enterprise-wide quality management and assurance.

The firms aim to help manufacturing companies improve quality and productivity, resolve issues proactively, and enhance operational visibility.

No financial terms were disclosed.