ST. LOUIS -- Viasystems Group today reported fourth-quarter net sales in its assembly business unit rose 23.4% year-over-year to $45.4 million. The division swung to an operating profit of $900,000, up from a loss of $800,000 a year ago.

JAKARTA -- At long last, Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) has formalized its plans to establish a manufacturing plant here, as today it signed a letter of intent to invest, a city spokesman told reporters.

NEWARK, NY -- IEC Electronics reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $1.1 million, down from a loss of $101,000 a year ago.

JUAREZ, MEXICO -- Plexus plans to close its manufacturing facility here by year-end and lay off up to 250 employees. The company, which is building a new site in Guadalajara, said it faced "ongoing challenges" to securing sufficient business for the Juarez plant.

OSAKA, JAPAN -- Sales at Panasonic's Automotive and Industrial Systems unit increased 9% from a year ago to 2.1 billion yen, aided by currency effects and new demand for automotive infotainment systems.

JASPER, IN -- Kimball International today reported net sales at its EMS unit rose 10% year-over-year on growth in the industrial and automotive industries. Net income was $5.2 million, up 33%, on revenues of $181.3 million, the company said.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The US Environmental Protection Agency’s reporting requirements for manufacturing byproducts sent for recycling are “burdensome, unnecessary, and actually discourage recycling,” an industry expert told Congress today.

ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics reported net income of $67 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, up 272% from last year. Revenue rose 19.4% to $757 million for the period.

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Sparton today announced fiscal second-quarter sales at its Complex Systems segment, which provides electronics manufacturing services,rose 30% year-over-year to $18.3 million. Adjusted operating income at the unit was up 5.5% to $1 million for the period ended Dec. 31.

BANGKOK – Fabrinet reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $178.6 million, up 6.7% year-over-year. GAAP net income for the period ended Dec. 27 was $14.5 million, down 14.2% year-over-year.

MILWAUKEE, WI – In its 60th year in electronics manufacturing services, MEC has returned to its original name of Milwaukee Electronics.

KAUNAS, LITHUANIA – Kitron plans to expand its production here by building a 5,000 sq. m. factory starting in spring.