Fresh PCB Concepts: PCB Design Essentials for Electric Vehicle Charging
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Rules of Thumb—Guidelines vs. Principles for PCB Design
Beyond Design: High-speed Rules of Thumb
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 2.1% in April
May 31, 2022 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC announced the April 2022 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.03.
Total North American PCB shipments in April 2022 were up 2.1 percent compared to the same month last year. However, compared to the preceding month, April shipments fell 20.4 percent.
PCB year-to-date bookings in April were down 14.3 percent compared to last year. Bookings in April fell 5.4 percent from the previous month.
“PCB shipments have been marginally stronger than bookings through the first four months of the year. Shipments are up 6.7% compared to a decline in bookings of 2.6%,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist. “The disconnect between shipments and orders is likely driven by backlogs for other components. Companies are disinclined to place PCB orders if they are waiting on other components. Despite strong shipments, the book-to-bill remains above 1.”
Detailed Data Available
Companies that participate in IPC’s North American PCB Statistical Program have access to detailed findings on rigid PCB and flexible circuit sales and orders, including separate rigid and flex book-to-bill ratios, growth trends by product types and company size tiers, demand for prototypes, sales growth to military and medical markets, and other timely data.
Interpreting the Data
The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in IPC’s survey sample. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to twelve months. A ratio of less than 1.00 indicates the reverse.
Year-on-year and year-to-date growth rates provide the most meaningful view of industry growth. Month-to-month comparisons should be made with caution as they reflect seasonal effects and short-term volatility. Because bookings tend to be more volatile than shipments, changes in the book-to-bill ratios from month to month might not be significant unless a trend of more than three consecutive months is apparent. It is also important to consider changes in both bookings and shipments to understand what is driving changes in the book-to-bill ratio.
IPC’s monthly PCB industry statistics are based on data provided by a representative sample of both rigid PCB and flexible circuit manufacturers selling in the USA and Canada. IPC publishes the PCB book-to-bill ratio by the end of each month.
Share on:
Suggested Items
IPC Announces Two New Courses to Enhance Electronics Manufacturing Excellence
12/03/2024 | IPCIPC is excited to announce the launch of two new courses designed to optimize electronics manufacturing processes: "Ensuring Excellence: IPC-J-STD-001 Process Optimization" and "Ensuring Excellence: IPC-A-610 Process Optimization."
IPC Webinar: Optimizing Cleaning Products Used in Electronics Manufacturing
12/02/2024 | IPCThe electronics industry is committed to improving manufacturing practices and one way to do this is using safer and more sustainable cleaning products across the electronics manufacturing life cycle.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
11/29/2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007If you’re in the U.S. today, odds are you’re at home enjoying the aftermath of a Thanksgiving holiday meal. Let me just say that whether you had a Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by family, friends, or both, I hope it was joyous. If you know someone who doesn’t have friends or family with whom to share this time, please reach out and include them. Chronic loneliness can exact a measurable toll on our mental and physical health. Wherever you are on the globe this holiday season, I encourage you to reach out to someone who might be battling loneliness and connect. It will make a difference to them. Not only will it help get you in the mood for your winter holiday of choice, but it’ll be good for your mental health as well.
IPC Japan Puts More Focus on Collaboration, Standards Development, Advanced Packaging
11/26/2024 | Yusaku Kono, IPC Japan RepresentativeIn the past year, IPC has strengthened its relationships with key Japanese companies and government bodies. This was accomplished, in part, by a visit to Japan this past summer, where members of the IPC Asia team, punctuated by standards committee work last winter, forged stronger ties with government officials and companies involved in electronics manufacturing.
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Patty Goldman
11/22/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In my first article of this special series, I wrote a synopsis of the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award, along with a commentary on its first few members, particularly Pritchard. Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded this high honor and recognition. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Patty Goldman.