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2013 North American PCB sales - not up to 2012 level
PCB sales in 2013 ended the year at -1.9 percent compared to 2012. The book-to-bill ratio in December improved slightly, but remains below parity at 0.92, according to IPC
Total North American PCB shipments increased 2.2 percent in December 2013 from December 2012. Year-to-date shipment growth, at -1.9 percent, is still negative compared to the same period in 2012, but has been steadily improving. December sales were up 6.6 percent over the prior month. North American PCB bookings fell again in December to -8.0 percent year over year, which reduced the year’s order growth to -1.1 percent below 2012. December bookings jumped 17.7 percent over the prior month.
“North American PCB sales in December continued their slow recovery, while orders have been volatile,” said Sharon Starr, IPC’s director of market research. “In the current cycle, the book-to-bill ratio appears to have hit its low point in November and is now beginning to climb again,” she added. Images: © IPC
