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WEST CHICAGO, IL – Sales of connectors for electronics products in 2004 hit an all-time high of $143 billion in the U.S. and $286 billion worldwide, boosted by consumer electronics and consumer electrical equipment such as home appliances and HVAC units which are increasing in electronics content.

Sales were driven by strong demand for digital audio, video and home information products, consumer electrical and electronics equipment, said Bishop and Associates in a research report.

PHOENIX – EMS provider Suntron Corp. announced that its Northwest Operations (NWO) facility in Newberg, OR, received ISO 13485 certification for medical product manufacturing. The facility's quality system is also certified to ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100.

“We are pleased to have received our ISO 13485 certification which demonstrates Suntron's focus on providing the highest quality services while maintaining strict medical manufacturing standards," said Paul Singh, president and CEO. "This key medical certification is a milestone in our continuous quality improvement initiatives that provides Suntron with a competitive advantage in highly regulated industries.This accomplishment is an important strategic step and vital to supporting our customers success in the medical device market.”

Fort Worth, TX – Allied Electronics (alliedelec.com), a subsidiary of Electrocomponents plc, has signed a distribution partnership agreement with Quantum Semiconductor International (qsalaser.com) for the company’s laser diodes.

QSI is a supplier of laser diodes in the power tool and barcode scanner market. The agreement gives Allied customers access to laser diodes designed for industrial, medical and academic applications. QSI laser diodes are used in applications such as leveling, alignment, distance measuring and range finding equipment. The initial stocking package will include both P-Type and N-Type in 635, 650, 670, 780, and 850 nm wavelength devices.

“Allied is excited to offer our customers the QSI America product line,” said Lee Davidson, president of Allied Electronics. “Customers buying QSI from Allied will get a range of devices in stock and in the quantities our customers need.”

SAN JOSE -- Venture Outsource Group has reported a sharp rise in the number of employment searches it is conducting for EMS, ODM and technology OEM client companies.

The firm helps companies find candidates to fill internal postings for a variety of managerial and executive-level positions across the globe. In 2005, the firm has helped client companies fill nine positions. The company is on track to engage in more than twice the number of client search assignments it executed in 2004.

This is not necessarily a sign that the electronics outsourcing industry is improving as a whole, but may instead reflect the increasing role VOG is playing with company hiring activities in industry.

Aurora, CO – Advanced Circuits, a quick-turn PCB manufacturer, has invested more than $1 million in new equipment to be installed between now and the end of the year. The investment will enable the company to keep its “On Time or It’s Free” guarantee.

New purchases include:

Automated strip-etch-strip (SES) line.

Debur equipment, offering cleaning for small holes.

Lead-free hot air solder level (HASL) unit.

HASL pre- and post-clean lines.

Handling equipment for the HASL and SES lines.

Dan Chouinard, VP of plant operations, said “Investing in new equipment allows us to not only produce superior boards, but also consistently ship them ahead of schedule. An extra day or two means a lot to our customers who are responsible for meeting tight deadlines and juggling numerous projects.”