BANNOCKBURN, IL – May North American PWB shipments increased 29.6% year-over-year, and orders were up 46.8% compared to the same month last year, says IPC.
Year to date, PWB shipments were up 16.2%, and orders rose 34.7% compared to the same period in 2009. Sequentially, shipments for May increased 2.2%, while orders went up 8.3%.
The book-to-bill ratio increased to 1.13. A ratio of more than 1.0 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, and is considered a indicator of future sales growth.
Rigid PWB shipments were up 31.4%, while orders increased 45.8% year-over-year. The rigid book-to-bill ratio climbed to 1.13.
Year to date, rigid shipments were up 18%, and orders have grown 36.3% compared to the year-ago period. On a sequential basis, rigid PWBs increased 1.3%, and orders were up 6.5%.
Flex circuit shipments for the month were up 10.5%, while orders rose 59.3% year-over-year. The flex circuit book-to-bill leaped to 1.18.
Year to date, flex shipments were down 2.6%, and orders were up 16.7%. Sequentially, flex shipments went up 16%, and orders grew 33.4%.
In May, 84% of total PWB shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production also accounted for 84% of rigid and flex circuit shipments during the month.