BANNOCKBURN, IL — North American PCB fabricators reported December orders increased 8.8% year-over-year. Order growth for the year was 4.8%. Sequentially, December orders increased 11.5%, says IPC.

PCB shipments in December were up 8.7% year-over-year. Shipment growth ended the year at 7.8%. Sequentially, December shipments increased 5.2%.

The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.09. A ratio of more than one suggests current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to 12 months. The ratio indicates $109 worth of orders were received for every $100 shipped.

"While trade tensions created a volatile environment, the North American PCB industry closed 2019 on solid footing,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist. “PCB shipments were strong through the final five months of the year. Moreover, orders at the end of the year suggest shipment strength should carry into the first quarter of 2020."

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