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ST. LOUIS -- To date, EMS provider LaBarge Inc. had largely stayed out of the acquisition game.

The company ended that streak today, announcing a deal for Pensar Electronic Solutions for $45 million, subject to certain adjustments.

Appleton, WI-based Pensar had 2008 revenues of about $55 million and is profitable, La Barge said in a statement announcing the deal. The 75,000 sq. ft. plant becomes LaBarge's third largest. Management and staff, including Pensar general manager David Steel, are expected to stay on.

The deal is expected to broaden LaBarge's end-markets, which are heavily oriented toward defense. The company currently generates about 45% of its revenue from defense programs, 21% from industrial, 16% from oil and gas, and 7% from medical.

"The addition of Pensar is an exciting development in the advancement of LaBarge’s growth strategy. The acquisition adds significant new customers and greatly expands our presence in the medical and industrial market sectors,” said chief executive and President Craig LaBarge.

LaBarge expects the acquisition to be modestly accretive to earnings in the second half of the current fiscal year, which ends June 28, 2009. LaBarge financed the acquisition with senior debt through U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.

MELVILLE, NY -- Park Electrochemical reported third-quarter sales fell 23% to $49.2 million for the period ended Nov. 30. Net earnings were down 67% year-over-year to $2.9 million.

Read more: Park Electrochemical's Q3 Sales Fall 23%

ENDICOTT, NY – Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. (EI) has received AS9100 certification. The company received a score of 100%.

AS9100 is the international quality management standard for designers and manufacturers of equipment for aerospace applications. “This certification strengthens EI’s competitive position as a world-class supplier of innovative advanced packaging solutions to this industry,” said K. Bradley Van Brunt, vice president of quality and business excellence.

COLERAINE, UK – AVX Ltd., a supplier of ceramic capacitors to the global electronics market, has announced that it will cut 92 jobs before Christmas. The company cites the loss of nearly one-quarter of its employees on a decrease in orders due to the weakening economy.

ENDICOTT, NY and CHELMSFORD, UK – Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. (EI) has named Steve Payne director of European sales for EI Technologies UK Ltd. He will manage the newly formed UK office and oversee account penetration for specific targets within the European market. EI’s European manufacturing representatives will report directly to him.

Payne brings over 30 years of experience in the global electronic packaging industry. Prior to joining EI, he was the divisional manager for GEC Marconi Research and managing director of Cirflex Technology Ltd.

SAN JOSE, CA and OWEGO, NY – In November, Sanmina-SCI Corporation cut about 110 jobs at its printed circuit board facility in Owego, citing the dwindling economy and a slump in product demand. The layoffs included both temporary and permanent workers.

According to the New York Labor Department, the company recently cut an additional 50 jobs, leaving about 540 workers at the plant. Sanmina’s future may not be as bleak as it seems, though. The company plans to rent additional space at its manufacturing facility in Salo, Finland.