BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in July dropped 25.3% year-over-year, and orders decreased 23.1% compared to last year.  
Year to date, shipments were down 27.1%, and orders were down 27.4%. Sequentially, shipments dropped 12.3%, and orders fell 24.5%.
 
The book-to-bill ratio fell to 1.07 says IPC, which tracks the data. That means that for every $100 worth of boards shipped, $107 worth of orders were received.
 
For the month, rigid PWB shipments declined 26.2%, while orders dropped 22.3%. Year to date, rigid shipments declined 28.9%, and orders fell 28.7%. Sequentially, rigid shipments fell 11.8% and orders decreased 22.9%. The rigid book-to-bill ratio pulled back slightly to 1.09.
 
Flex shipments in July fell 14.9%, while orders declined 32.9% year-over-year. Year to date, flex shipments were down 1% and orders were down 9%. Sequentially, flex shipments dropped 17.8% and orders decreased 41.6%. The July flex book-to-bill ratio fell to 0.94.
 
Rigid PWBs represented an estimated 91% of the current PCB industry in North America in July, according to IPC, and 88% of total shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 88% of rigid PWB and 85% of flex shipments.
 
In July, flex circuit manufacturers indicated bare circuits accounted for approximately 76% of the shipment value. The remainder includes value-added services such as assembly.

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