MINNEAPOLIS -- Electronics manufacturing services firm HEI cut its fourth-quarter net loss by more than $500,000, reporting a loss of $231,000 for the period ended Jan. 1.

NORTH YORK, ONTARIO -- The parent company of EMS firm Permatech closed a private placement that netted $135,000, primarily to insider J.T. Risty Ltd.

ANTHEM, AZ – Charlie Barnhart & Associates is preparing to launch a study comparing the advantages of Mexico to China for outsourced electronics manufacturing.

The study will examine the capabilities of the EMS industries in China and Mexico for their fit with the needs of midmarket OEMs. The data-based analysis will highlight benefits of electronics manufacturing in both countries, CBA said in a press release.

Issues to be considered in the report include manufacturing focus and fit, as well as the scope of EMS operations in China and Mexico. The research will examine labor and overhead rates, labor force and infrastructure.

The report will be available free to any interested OEM or EMS companies. 

For more information, visit www.charliebarnhart.com.

HERNDON, VA – iNEMI has issued a call for participation in the Rare Earth Metals Assessment and Supply Chain Actions Project.

Participation in this project will provide information on the electronic industry's extensive dependence of REM, and give participants the opportunity to develop strategic programs and projects to reduce the impact of shortages and/or restricted supplies.

iNEMI conducted a survey to assess whether a shortage of rare earth metals would affect the electronics industry in the near term. The results indicate that any disruption in supplies of REM would have a critical negative impact on the industry.

The primary purposes of this project are to gather information related to the probability of a shortage of rare earth metals occurring in the near future; pinpoint when demand will exceed supply, and identify key driving factors.

Goals include driving actions that will increase supply; examining the feasibility of reclamation/recycling efforts; investigating development of alternative materials, and raising awareness on the severity and potential impact of REM supply issues with governmental agencies and industry trade groups.

Ultimately, the project aims to reestablish a viable REM industry in the US; develop REM mining, refining and processing skills, and rebuild and restructure the REM supply chain and infrastructure.

For more information, visit http://www.inemi.org/cms/projects/ese/Rare_Earth_Metals.html.

Sign-up for this project has been extended to Mar. 31.

MANILA -- Shockwaves from the March 11 earthquake in Japan might be felt in the Philippines as electronics manufacturers there export large percentage of their production to Japan.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil not only beat its own forecast for its fiscal quarter ended Feb. 28, but the contract electronics manufacturer said revenues could reach the $20 billion plateau up to two years ahead of schedule.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Top 3 electronics manufacturing services firm Jabil Circuit reported fiscal second-quarter net income jumped 86% over last year to $55.4 million.

HERNDON, VA – iNEMI will review highlights of its latest electronics industry roadmap on Mar. 29 with two free webinar sessions.

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Memory module assembler Legacy Electronics today said it has doubled its space with a new manufacturing facility here.

The 40,000 sq. ft. building provides for current and future production and expansion, with near term output expected to be triple that of current manufacturing.

The San Clemente, CA-based company says it plans to occupy the space in May and post job openings on its website by the end of the same month.

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN – Contract electronics manufacturer Key Electronics will expand its operations here, creating up to 75 new jobs by 2014.

The company plans to invest more than $2.2 million to increase production space at the manufacturing facility.

The firm currently employs more than 150 workers at the 104,000 sq. ft. plant, and plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing staff this spring to help ramp production.

Key Electronics manufactures printed circuit board assemblies for the industrial controls, aerospace, defense, medical, appliance and consumer markets.

REDMOND, WA – Microsoft has filed suit against tech manufacturing heavyweights Foxconn and Inventec over the sale and manufacture of Barnes & Noble's Android-based Nook tablet.

Microsoft alleges patent infringements in the Android-based e-reader and tablet devices presented as Barnes & Noble’s brand.

Barnes & Noble is also a party to the suit. However, while Microsoft firm says Google’s Android infringes Microsoft patents, it did not name Google directly in this suit.

Microsoft alleges patent infringements include “natural ways of interacting with devices by tabbing through various screens to find the information they need, surfing the Web more quickly, and interacting with documents and e-books.”

WASHINGTON – The latest attempt to address American competitiveness will take place here in mid June, in concert with a series of coordinated lobbying efforts.

Formerly known as IPC Capitol Hill Day, the Summit on American Competitiveness will be held June 15-16 and combines targeted presentations with legislative and regulatory briefings. Attendees will also pay visits to various members of Congress to discuss issues that directly impact the US electronics industry’s ability to compete globally.

Apart from the congressional visits, a panel of to-be-named senior electronics executives will share steps they have taken to gain an advantage in the global marketplace. Information on resources such as the Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program also will be discussed, and the international factors impacting the industry’s competitiveness will be highlighted.

IPC said the legislator meetings will focus on tax code modifications, future military and aerospace needs, and business regulations.

For more information, visit www.ipc.org/CHD.