BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in May dropped 32.2% year-over-year, while orders decreased 24.8% compared to May 2008, says IPC.

Year to date, combined shipments were down 26.9%, and orders were down 30.7%. Sequentially, rigid and flex shipments for May were up 2.1%, and orders fell 2.1%.

The book-to-bill ratio in May climbed to 1.02, says the association.

May rigid PWB shipments dropped 34.2% year-over-year, while orders were down 25.7%. Year to date, rigid shipments were down 29%, and orders declined 32.2%. Sequentially, rigid shipments grew 3.6%, and orders decreased 1.1%.

The rigid book-to-bill ratio reached 1.03 in May.

Flex shipments for the month fell 3%. Orders were down 12.9% compared to May last year.

Year to date, flex shipments were up 2.5%, while orders dropped 7.1%. Sequentially, flex shipments declined 10.4% and orders fell 11.8%.

The flex book-to-bill ratio inched up to 0.96.

“After 12 consecutive months in negative territory, the book-to-bill ratio has finally climbed above 1.00, and that is good news for the industry,” said IPC president Denny McGuirk. “It is a good indicator of sales growth over the next few months. Sales growth is already starting to turn the corner,” he added. “Even though year-over-year sales growth is still negative, growth rates in the rigid PCB segment improved slightly over the previous month.”

A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.

Rigid PWBs represent an estimated 91% of the current industry in North America, says IPC. In May, 88% of total PWB shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 88% of rigid and 83% of flex shipments for the month.

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