ST. LOUIS – Viasystems is investing $100 million to expand production at three large plants and closing one leased facility in China, say published reports.

Chief executive David Sindelar hopes customers accept “high single- to mid-double-digit” price increases, as a result of the high price of copper and increasing Chinese wages, which are still lower in comparison to the US rates, he told a local newspaper.

The printed circuit board fabricator has experienced minimum wage increases of 18 to 20% since 2010, in addition to higher health care and retirement taxes, affecting profits.

Viasystems also operates plants in Oregon and California, which the PCB fabricator acquired last year when it purchased Merix.

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency said it would suspend the 2011 submission period for the Toxic Substances Controls Act's Inventory Update Reporting.

The decision came as a result of complaints from the chemical industry and House Republicans. The suspension also makes it possible for the EPA to finalize proposed changes and avoid changes being finalized in the middle of the reporting period, say published reports.

Companies are required to file a report for each chemical found on the TSCA Inventory list that they process, import or manufacture. The EPA proposed changes in 2010 that would increase the information required to be reported, the frequency of reports to every four years, instead of five, and the number of firms involved in the process.