BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in October dropped 4.8% year-over-year; orders decreased 14.6% compared to the same month in 2007, says IPC.

Year to date, shipments were up 3.6%, while orders were down 2.5%. Sequentially, shipments were down 11.3% and orders dipped 16%. The book-to-bill ratio increased slightly to 0.96.

Rigid PWB shipments were down 5.9% in October, and orders dropped 17.4% year-over-year. Year to date, rigid PWB shipments were up 3.2%, and orders were down 2.5%. Sequentially, rigid PWB shipments decreased 12.8% and orders fell 17.6%. The book-to-bill ratio slipped slightly to 0.95.

Flex circuit shipments were up 8.8%, and orders were up 25.9% compared to October 2007. Year to date, flex circuit shipments were up 9%, and orders were down 2.4%. Sequentially, flex circuit shipments were up 10% and orders increased 2.5%. The book-to-bill ratio jumped up to 1.00.

“Rigid PCB orders and shipments in October declined a bit more than normal in October, due to weakening demand, but year-to-date growth over last year is still positive,” said IPC president Denny McGuirk. “The flexible circuit segment showed surprisingly strong growth in October,” he added. “Shipments for the month were at their highest level in more than three years.”

In October, 87% of total PWB shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 86% of rigid PWB and 91% of flex circuit shipments by IPC survey participants.