BANNOCKBURN, IL – January PCB shipments fell 17% year-over-year, and bookings decreased 29.3%. The combined industry book-to-bill fell to 0.89, says IPC. For the month, rigid shipments dropped 18.9%, and bookings dipped 30.7% compared to the same month last year. The book-to-bill slipped further to 0.88. 
 
Flex shipments rose 16.6%, while bookings slid 1.8% year-over-year. The book-to-bill declined to 0.98.
 
“Sales and orders of rigid PCBs declined sharply in January compared to January 2008, but flexible circuit sales were surprisingly strong,” said IPC. “The industry has not hit the bottom yet, but we will continue to watch the leading indicators, such as our book-to-bill ratio, for signs of an upturn.”
 
Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 90% of the current PCB industry in North America, according to IPC. In January, 90% of total PCB shipments reported were domestically produced.
 
For the month, flex circuit manufacturers indicated bare circuits accounted for about 71% of their shipment value.