FRANKFURT -- Printed circuit board sales at German fabricators were up 4% sequentially and 5.2% year-over-year in March, the Central Association of the PCB and Electronic Systems said. First quarter orders were up 17% from a year ago, the trade group added.

The monthly book-to-bill ratio was 0.97 in March but 1.08 for the quarter. 

A ratio of 1.08 means that 108 euros were of boards were ordered for every 100 euros worth of boards shipped. A ratio above 1 is seen as a sign of future growth.

The number of employees at German fabricators increased by almost 3% compared with March 2013. Worker addition was consistent across all sizes of companies.