SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Intense competition for power and water resources will boost demand for smart meters, a new research report finds.

TORONTO – Electronics manufacturing services provider SMTC Corp. today reported second-quarter revenue of $48.8 million, down 13% sequentially and down 31.5% year-over-year.

GAINESVILLE, GA – Count On Tools expanded its manufacturing operations at its headquarters here, as a response to a growing market for SMT nozzles and consumables.

COT recently converted 1200 ft2 of additional warehouse space into a new production cell for the company’s contract machining division.

Additionally, the firm purchased another 20mm Swiss Turning Center to increase production capabilities and lower product lead times.

The Swiss Type Lathe offers turning, milling and cross drilling from a combination of power systems, main-spindle, sub-spindle, front-end tool, rear-end tool, C-axis and driven tools.

COT provides precision components and SMT spare parts.

RICHARDSON, TX – EMS firm Automated Circuit Design has created a virtual PCB layer overlay for CAM and Gerber checks.

Using post script and photo editing software, ACD is able to simulate paper in black and white, and change the opacity and force a vellum appearance. Designers are able to change the pages they view and simulate a “pinched paper slide.”

Using a 42" LCD display, ACD is now able to view plots in actual size; the software permits designers to zoom in to verify tight areas.

The company has two work stations set up, permitting simultaneous reviews. They can verify high profile designs and not threaten a start date in fabrication.

HANOVER, GERMANY – Viscom AG has increased its 2011 revenue forecast 17% on higher-than-expected orders.

The AOI and SPI equipment manufacturer now expects revenue of between approximately $70 million and $75 million. The company cited a large volume of incoming orders and a steep rise in recognized revenue in the first half.

The firm reported continued strong demand for optical and x-ray inspection, particularly for automotive products.

Viscom also has won additional accounts in North America and Asia, the firm says.

ST. LOUIS -- Viasystems today reported its contract assembly operations saw a 27% jump in second-quarter revenues on higher demand from almost all sectors.

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Sypris Solutions' second-quarter net loss tightened to $1.6 million, versus a net loss of $4.3 million last year.

NEWARK, NY -- Contract assembler IEC Electronics reported fiscal third-quarter net income rose 7% to $1.33 million.

WASHINGTON, DC – First-half total general aviation airplane shipments worldwide fell 15.5 % to 791, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Second-quarter sales of cellphones grew 65.4% worldwide year-over-year to 106.5 million units.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, with support from MEMS Industry Group, is planning a MEMS workshop here immediately following the European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference, Sept. 15-16.

The workshop will discuss the challenges of developing and adopting MEMS technologies, plus set priorities and direction for future industry-led collaborative programs.

“MEMS devices are experiencing exponential growth,” said Bill Bader, CEO of iNEMI. “Their uses are quickly expanding from the traditional applications of relays, accelerometers and specialized sensors to a broadening array of applications in fluidics, RF components, medical and a growing number of automotive applications. Despite this growth, however, there are still several technology challenges to be addressed, everything from the need for new packaging technologies, to improved test and simulation capabilities, to a better understanding of the basic failure mechanisms.”

For more information, and to register, visit http://www.inemi.org/events/mems-workshop. 

BANGKOK – SVI Public Co. reported second-quarter recorded net profit of $8.6 million, up 44% and a new company record.