BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in September fell 3.1%, while orders decreased 14.2% year-over-year,
IPC said.
Year to date, shipments rose 4.5%, and orders were down 1.1%. Sequentially, combined shipments for September were up 3.8%; orders were up 13.3%. The book-to-bill ratio remained at 0.95.
For the month, rigid PWB shipments were down 3.8%
year-over-year, while orders were down 16.4% compared to September last
year. Year to date, rigid PWB shipments were up 4.2%, and orders were
down 0.8%. Sequentially, rigid PCB shipments increased 4.5% and orders
increased 11%. The book-to-bill ratio moved up slightly to 0.96.
Flex
circuit shipments were up 9%, and orders were up 25.2% compared to
September 2007. Year to date, flex circuit shipments were up 9%, and
orders were down 5.3%. Sequentially, flex circuit shipments were down
4.7%, while orders increased 50.8%. The book-to-bill ratio improved to
0.94.
In September, 86% of total PWB shipments reported were
domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 85% of rigid
PWB and 90% of flex circuit shipments by those surveyed. IPC does not
disclose the number of companies participating in the survey.