PCB |
German PCB market is recovering at slow pace
Good news from the German PCB market: sales for PCB manufacturers in July increased for the third time and was 7.2% higher than the previous month, reports the VdL and ZVEI Electronic Components and Systems.
It is the highest sales figure since November 2008. However, it is 1/3 lower than the figures for the same month last year. The order intake in July 2009 was surprisingly good - around 122% over June-figures and even 2.5% higher than in July 2008. Looking at the first seven months however, that figure only reached half of the previous year's level.
The book-to-bill ratio reached 1.25.
The number of employees fell by 3.3% in July. Despite short-work measures, this is the lowest July-figure for the past 10 years. Over the past 12 months a total of over 2,000 jobs were lost. This trend is likely to continue, as plant closures were already announced.
The number of employees fell by 3.3% in July. Despite short-work measures, this is the lowest July-figure for the past 10 years. Over the past 12 months a total of over 2,000 jobs were lost. This trend is likely to continue, as plant closures were already announced.
