FRAMINGHAM, MA -- IDC Manufacturing Insights today predicted 3D supply chains will be one of the top developments in the coming year. The research group made its comments as part of its annual top 10 predictions for manufacturing.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- After a decline in the second quarter of 2013 and a tepid expansion in the third, demand for touch-screen panels used in notebook PCs is set to rebound to double-digit growth during the last three months of the year. Shipments of touch panels for notebooks will amount to 4.9 million sheets in the fourth quarter, up 10% from 4.4 million in the third quarter, according to data from IHS. This follows a marginal 2% increase in the third quarter and a 5% drop in the second.

DUBLIN -- Global consumer electronics sales are expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2018 and will remain strong over the next five years, driven by rising demand in Asia and other emerging countries.

DUBLIN -- Global consumer electronics sales are expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2018 and will remain strong over the next five years, driven by rising demand in Asia and other emerging countries.