BANNOCKBURN, IL – May North American printed circuit board orders increased 10.4% year-over-year, says IPC, with year-to-date orders up 1.3%. Sequentially, orders increased 0.9%.

North American PCB shipments decreased 4.2% year-over-year in May, while year-to-date shipments were down 1.8%. Sequentially, PCB shipments were down 3.5%.

The book-to-bill ratio held steady at 1.02. A ratio of more than one suggests current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to six months.

“North American PCB sales continued below last year’s level, but orders resumed positive growth, and the book-to-bill ratio remains positive for the eighth straight month,” said Sharon Starr, IPC’s director of market research. “This indicates the likelihood of strengthening sales growth in the second half of this year.”