SAN JOSE — Sales of software for semiconductor and printed circuit design rose 5.7% year-over-year in the December quarter, setting a new fourth-quarter mark in the process. Sales were $1.88 billion for the period said the EDA Consortium, which tracks the data.

SEND, SURREY, UK -- Vision Engineering will build a new headquarters behind its existing facility here, and will ultimately replace the current factory with a new campus of buildings, the firm said. The new 80,000 sq. ft.facility will enhance Vision Engineering’s manufacturing capabilities and provide a long-term base for continued growth, the firm added.

SCHENEFELD, GERMANY -- A Scanfil subsidiary has signed an agreement to acquire all shares in German contract manufacturer Schaltex Systems. Scanfil EMS Oy will pay EUR 6.6 million in cash for Schaltex, which is located in Schenefeld, near Hamburg.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — IPC last week honored a host of volunteers for time spent drafting industry standards.

MEDINA, MA -- Reportedly sued last week by a competitor, ASC International today responded with a statement dismissing VisionMaster's claims of product piracy.

“ASC International will not allow random companies to report claims of product infringement based upon frivolous accusations against our company," the firm said in a statement.

LAS VEGAS -- IPC Apex Expo came to a close Thursday, completing its annual three-day run at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The trade show, the electronics assembly industry's largest in the US, appeared to most observers to have attracted slightly more attendees than last year's event in San Diego.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — IPC yesterday inducted Mike Carano into the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame, the trade association's highest honor. Carano was inducted in a ceremony during IPC Apex Expo yesterday in Las Vegas.

BROMONT, CANADA -- Speedline Technologies and Cogiscan yesterday introduced new software based on Cogiscan's TTC technology capable of harvesting and reporting traceability data from Speedline printers.

LAS VEGAS – Kimball Electronics, Mack Technologies, Qualitel and United Manufacturing Assembly led the winners of the 2014 Service Excellence Awards, CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY announced today.

LAS VEGAS – CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY today announced the winners of the 2014 New Product Introduction Awards for electronics assembly equipment, materials, software, and PCB fabrication. The 7th annual NPI Awards recognizes leading new products during the past 12 months.

GARBSEN, GERMANY -- LPKF reported 2013 revenue rose 13% year-over-year to EUR 129.7 million, while earnings before interest and taxes jumped 14% to EUR 23.2 million.

GARDEN GROVE, CA -- OK International today announced that it has closed on a minority investment and product development agreement with 3D printing company TierTime Technology Co. of Beijing.