BANNOCKBURN, IL – June North American printed circuit board shipments decreased 6.6%, and orders dropped 2.7% year-over-year, says IPC.

Year to date, shipments were down 5.6%, and orders were up 1.6%. Sequentially, shipments for June increased 13%, and orders were up 12.1%.

The book-to-bill ratio decreased slightly, but continued in positive territory at 1.02, says the trade group. A ratio of more than 1.0 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.

Rigid printed circuit board shipments were down 7.3% compared to June 2011, while orders decreased 2% year-over-year. Year to date, rigid board shipments decreased 5.4% percent, but orders increased 2.1%. Sequentially, shipments were up 11.6%, and orders gained 11.8%. The rigid book-to-bill ratio continued to slip, but remained above parity at 1.01.

Flex circuit board shipments for the month were up 2.1%, and orders were down 8.4% year-over-year. Year to date, flex board shipments decreased 7.1%, and orders decreased 3.4%. Sequentially, shipments increased 29.7%, and orders were up 14.9%. The flex PCB book-to-bill ratio remained high at 1.16.

“North American PCB sales and orders were up in June compared to the previous month, which is consistent with seasonal patterns,” said Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research. “Rigid PCB business continued below last year’s levels, but orders continue to outpace sales, which is encouraging,” she added. “The June book-to-bill ratios remained in positive territory for the seventh consecutive month and maintained an especially strong performance in the flexible circuit segment of the industry.”

Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 90% of the current industry in North America, says IPC.

In June 2012, 81% of total PCB shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 81% of rigid PCB and 74% of flexible PCB shipments.

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