BANNOCKBURN, IL — Total North American PCB orders for March increased 10.1% year-over-year and 8.7% sequentially, says IPC.

March shipments were up 3.7% compared to the same month last year. Sequentially, shipments rose 31.6%.

The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.15. 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 twelve months.

“Covid-19 related disallocations in the global supply chain continue to drive North American PCB orders and shipments. March 2020 saw a near historic month-over-month rise in shipments, as North American PCB manufacturers worked to deliver crucial components for equipment like ventilators into the medical supply chain,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist. “March sales and orders are the highest the industry has seen since April 2017, and April 2020 shipments are poised to reach levels not seen since 2006.”