BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PWB shipments in September were up 21.8% sequentially, while orders increased 31%.
 
PWB shipments decreased 14.3% year-over-year, while orders dropped 6.4%.
 
Year to date through September, shipments were down 25.5%, and orders fell 23.4%.
 
The book-to-bill ratio reached 1.08, up 1 basis point from August. It was the fifth straight month the ratio topped 1.0, the benchmark for a market on the rise.
 
For the month, rigid PWB shipments declined 15.9% and orders fell 7.8% year-over-year. Year to date, rigid shipments were down 27.3%, while orders dropped 24.7%. Sequentially, rigid shipments grew 21.7%, and orders increased 29.7%. The rigid book-to-bill ratio was flat at 1.09.
 
Flex shipments in September rose 7.9%, while orders increased 12.1% compared to September 2008. Year to date, flex shipments were down 1.5%, and orders were down 4.9%. Sequentially, flex shipments went up 22%, and orders increased 48.1%. The flex book-to-bill climbed three basis points to 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 six months. A ratio of 1.08 means that for every $100 worth of boards shipped, $108 worth of orders were placed.
 
In September, 84% of total shipments reported were domestically produced. The remainder were likely built offshore and resold by domestic fabricators.

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