MILPITAS, CA – Global semiconductor equipment billings increased 19% year-over-year to $30.4 billion in the third quarter, SEMI announced in its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report.

I’m not one to harp on the supposed deficiencies of higher education. The reasons why not to are numerous, but foremost is the disconnect between what industry often wants from higher ed (I’m including colleges and universities in this mix, although there are certain fundamental differences that distinguish them) and what those institutions are designed to (and not to) do.

Universities and colleges are places to seek knowledge and conduct research. They are (generally) not out to make a buck, although I would point out that “nonprofit” does not equal “for loss.” And they aren’t designed to churn out employees ready-made for the working world. Hands-on training is left to those who know exactly what the job entails. Schools are too far from the center to keep up with changing industry needs.

And it’s to their credit, I think, that they have remained somewhat immune to the wider forces that constantly try to shape their approaches and output. Facts matter, and the aim for dispositive critical inquiry means following the scientific method as envisioned by Aristotle no matter where it leads.

ROHRBACH, GERMANY – Sero EMS has announced the acquisition of EPSa-Elektronik & Präzisionsbau Saalfeld, a German EMS provider, and EPSa Děčín, its Czech subsidiary.

NEEDHAM, MA – The global hardcopy peripheral market rebounded in the third quarter of 2024, achieving a 3.8% year-over-year growth to approximately 20.3 million units shipped. This marks a positive shift following five consecutive quarters of YoY declines, according to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker.

NEEDHAM, MA – Worldwide smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 6.2% year-over-year in 2024 to 1.24 billion units, according International Data Corporation's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

NORTH YORK, ON – ZTest Electronics reported revenue of $2 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year, up 7.4% from the same quarter last year.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – Aimtron Electronics has announced the opening of its US-based subsidiary on Jan. 1.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The electronics industry faced a mixed sentiment in November, with modest improvements in demand overshadowed by rising cost pressures according to IPC’s November Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American EMS shipments in October were up 14.7% compared to the same month last year, IPC reported in findings from its North American EMS Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.25.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PCB shipments in October were down 11.1% compared to the same month last year, according to IPC's North American PCB Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.09.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) today issued a call for abstracts for the PCB West 2025 technical conference. The conference, the largest of its kind in Silicon Valley, focuses on training and best practices for printed circuit board designers and design engineers, electronics hardware engineers, fabricators and assemblers.

SENAI, MALAYSIA – VS Industry will remain on a growth track in 2025 on the back of its leadership in trade diversion and ongoing contract discussions, according to a report from UOB Kay Hian (UOBKH) Research.