BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American printed circuit board shipments were up 5.4% year-over-year in March. Orders decreased 9.9% compared to the same month in 2010, IPC said.

Year to date, PCB shipments were up 6.9%, while orders were down 7.1%. Sequentially, shipments increased 14.9%, and orders were up 21.9%.

The book-to-bill ratio in March held steady at 0.95. A ratio of more than 1.0 suggests current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.

Rigid circuit board shipments were up 5.1%, while orders decreased 10.1% year-over-year. The rigid book-to-bill ratio was flat at 0.94.

Year to date, rigid board shipments were up 6.7%, and orders declined 8.5%. Sequentially, shipments increased 14.9%, and orders increased 26%.

Flex circuit board shipments for the month were up 9.1%, and orders declined 7.4% compared to March 2010. The flex book-to-bill slipped to 1.04.

Year to date, flex shipments increased 9.3%, while orders were up 9.6%. Sequentially, flex shipments increased 15%, and orders fell 13.2%.

Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 89% of the current industry in North America, says IPC. In March, 83% of total shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 83% of rigid PCB and 85% of flexible circuit shipments.

• Prev
• Next