FRANKFURT – Germany-based printed circuit board fabricators reported December PCB sales rose 34.2% year-over-year.

It was the best December in 10 years, according to the ZVEI PCB and Electronic Systems trade group.

Sales were down 17% sequentially, the trade group said. For the year, sales were up more than 30% over 2009. The figures include sales of rigid and flexible circuit boards.

The book-to-bill ratio rose to 1.01, bringing the full-year ratio to 1.17, an all-time high. A ratio of 1.01 means that for every 100 euros worth of boards sold, 101 euros worth were ordered. A ratio over 1.0 is considered a sign of future market growth.

Industry employment rose 11.2% compared to a year ago, ZVEI said.