WASHINGTON, DC – North American EMS shipments increased 7.6% year-over-year in February, signaling steady demand growth and improving production activity across the sector.

Shipments rose 7.1% month-over-month, with year-to-date growth reaching 3.9%. Bookings also showed strength, increasing 1.7% year-over-year and jumping 19.1% sequentially, although year-to-date bookings were slightly down 0.7%.

The EMS book-to-bill ratio reached 1.32, indicating demand is outpacing production and contributing to a buildup in backlog.

“The EMS book-to-bill for February is a strong indicator that demand is pulling ahead of production. Manufacturers are building backlog and should have better visibility and more confident production planning in the months ahead,” said Dr. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist of the Global Electronics Association.