BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC’s spring 2009 Supply Chain Tracker this week showed continuing economic contraction, but also indicated the first signs of recovery in the electronics industry.

IPC's global statistical programs for several industry segments all show worsening year-over-year growth rates in the first quarter, after growth rates turned negative in late 2008.
 
The association’s North American Electronics Industry Performance Index fell 29%. This is the third straight quarter the index has declined. This index monitors the performance of the North American electronics supply chain.
 
Some leading indicators, however, are beginning to show improvement. The April book-to-bill ratio for the North American PCB industry climbed for the third straight month from 0.89 to 0.97, says IPC. This ratio still indicates lagging demand, but it is trending toward 1.0, the point of parity between bookings and shipments.
 
The EMS book-to-bill ratio inched up to 0.95 at the end of the quarter. Semiconductor sales, while still in negative territory, improved in the quarter.
 
The number or size of the reporting companies was not disclosed.