BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American PCB shipments in March were down 11.7% year-over-year and up 5.6% sequentially, according to IPC.

Year-to-date orders were down 25.9% compared to the same month last year and 1.3% sequentially.

The book-to-bill ratio was 1.05 in March, compared to 1.16 in February. 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.

“Stronger shipments suggest marginal improvement in supply chain dynamics, but a drop in orders alludes to slowing demand across a number of downstream sectors,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist.