FRANKFURT --  German printed circuit board manufacturers reported orders rose for the third month in a row in April.

PCB orders climbed 5.7% from last year, and 18.5% sequentially, according to the ZVEI PCB Central Association of PCB and Electronic Systems.
 
The book-to-bill ratio rose to 0.99, meaning for every 100 euros of boards shipped, 99 euros worth of boards were ordered.
 
Year-to-date sales are down 1.5% from last year, and orders are up 3.9% during the period on higher demand for prototypes.
 
The number of employees fell by 5.7% due to structural adjustments.