NEENAH, WI – EMS firm Plexus Corp. today reported fiscal first-quarter 2011 revenue of $566 million, up 32% year-over-year and 2% sequentially, relative to guidance of $550 million to $580 million.

SAN DIEGO – AEM has developed a high-reliability-qualified SnPb conversion process designed to mitigate the formation of tin whiskers in surface mount components.

The process reportedly eliminates potential damage to sensitive electronic devices caused by conventional hot-solder dipping, while ensuring converted component terminations contain a minimum of 5% Pb, as verified by SEM/EDS and XRF inspection methods.

This Sn/Pb conversion process is suited for chip-scale passive components, including capacitors, inductors, resistors, ferrite chip beads, fuses, resistor arrays, capacitor arrays, bead arrays and many molded body passive and active surface mount component types.

The firm says it includes 100% adherence to visual and mechanical inspections per applicable EIA guidelines, including sample solderability, leach resistance, terminal strength and destructive physical analysis screening.

GARBSEN, GERMANY – LPKF Laser & Electronics expects 2010 revenue to rise 56% year-over-year. The firm attributes the growth to a booming export business.

LPKF opened new sales and service branches in Shanghai and Japan this month.

The company produces machines and laser systems used in electronics production, medical technology, the automotive industry, and the production of solar panels.

SANTA CLARA, CA – As the transition to flat panel TV nears completion, TFT LCD TV panel demand is slowing, from 41% year-over-year in 2010 to 8.3% in 2011, says DisplaySearch.

Total TFT LCD panel area demand is expected to increase 10.4% in 2011, resulting in 11% TFT LCD glass area demand growth, accounting for time shifts and production yields, the firm says.

Coming out of a tight supply situation in 2009, TFT LCD glass substrate manufacturers have significantly increased capacity in 2010, with area growth estimated to be 32% year-over-year. DisplaySearch forecasts 13% year-over-year capacity growth in 2011. With panel makers cutting back on utilization, the firm predicts an oversupply situation in the first quarter, with a glut of 12.8%.

From the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2011, the quarterly area capacity of TFT LCD glass production is expected to increase 42%. The growth will be accomplished with a 15% increase in the number of tanks.

MILTON – Sono-Tek Corp. reported third-quarter revenue of $2.59 million, up 31% year-over-year.

PATERSON, NJ – Guardian Capital Partners has purchased EMS provider PPI-Time Zero from Saugatuck Capital, owner of the firm since 2001.

PPI caters to the aerospace, medical and controls and instrumentation markets.

Fox Chase Bancorp provided financing for the transaction. No other financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY – Flextronics International will shut down its electronics assembly plant here, affecting 88 employees, according to reports.

The move is a result of poor earnings and a substantial order cancellation.

The facility will be phased out during the next three months, and current production will move to other locations.

SHANGHAI -- Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) will build two industrial parks in Liaoning Province, in Northeast China.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- The global outsourced manufacturing industry sits at a crossroads heading into 2011, according to research firm iSuppli.

SHENZHEN-- Another Foxconn factory worker has reportedly jumped to her death while on leave from the ODM giant. It was the second violent death among the company's workforce this week, according to news reports.

WASHINGTON -- Top Obama Administration officials this week are making repeated calls for China to relax its grip on its currency and foreign firms looking to do business there.

KULIM, KEDAH, MALAYSIA -- Whizz Systems will invest RM14 million ($4.6 million) to establish a PCB design and electronics assembly plant on a 2.36-acre plot here.