BANNOCKBURN, IL — According to trade group IPC, the North American rigid PCB book-to-bill ratio for June was at parity at 1.00, while the flexible book-to-bill climbed back to the positive range at 1.01 after a three-month dip below parity.
 
The combined (rigid and flex) industry book-to-bill ratio in June 2006 was 1.00. The ratios are based on monthly data collected from PCB producers that participate in IPC’s monthly PCB Statistical Program. 
 
Ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders over the past three months by the value of sales. A ratio over 1.00 suggests expansion.
 
Rigid PCB shipments are up 12.5% and bookings rose 19.2% year-on-year. Year to date, rigid shipments are up 11.3% and bookings are up 13.9%. 
 
Flex shipments were up 1.7% from June 2005 and up .9% to date. Bookings increased 18.9% YOY, but are down 7.6% YTD. Sequentially, flex shipments and bookings increased 17.4% and 73.8%, respectively.
 
Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 85% of the current PCB market in North America, according to IPC.
 
In June, flexible circuit manufacturers surveyed indicated that bare circuits accounted for 65% of their monthly shipment value. 
 
Over 88% of PCB shipments reported were domestically produced.

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