-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Butterfly Effect
The basis of chaos theory is a key concept known as the “butterfly effect.” It’s the idea that a small event in one place creates a cascading set of events elsewhere. So, how is the EMS landscape changing? We’re tracking the concerns and dynamics of this landscape, and there’s a lot to learn.
Coming to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
North American PCB Industry Sales Down 6.8% in May
June 24, 2024 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC announced the May 2024 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 0.95.
Total North American PCB shipments in May 2024 were down 6.8 percent compared to the same month last year. Compared to the preceding month, May shipments were down 16.5 percent.
PCB bookings in May were down 6.4 percent compared to the same month last year. May bookings were down 2.7 percent compared to the preceding month.
“The sluggish growth in the PCB industry reflects broader economic headwinds and likely signals a period of slower growth,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist.
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.
Suggested Items
CIL Improves its RAPID PCB Assembly Service with a Dedicated SMT Line
06/27/2024 | CILIn recent months much of CIL’s activities have been concentrated on its Semiconductor packaging and volume PCB assembly capability from its BP2 facility.
APCT Launches as AdvancedPCB, Combines Industry Leaders Under One Brand
06/27/2024 | PRNewswireAdvancedPCB, a leader in printed circuit board (PCB) design and manufacturing, announces its launch, combining Advanced Printed Circuit Technology (APCT), Advanced Circuits, Inc. (ACI), and San Diego PCB Design (SDPCB), into a next-generation PCB manufacturer.
Material Insight: Diversifying PCB Manufacturing Through Nearshoring
06/26/2024 | Dr. Preeya Kuray -- Column: Material InsightIn recent years, there has been a notable shift in the electronics manufacturing supply chain landscape. However, the global supply chain for the domestic PCB industry has been steadily shifting since the 1980s, when the United States began offshoring PCB manufacturing to other countries. But because of the quality control issues, rising international tariffs, and unclear intellectual property protection involved in offshoring, reshoring has become a particularly hot topic.
SMTA Oregon Event Spreads Its Wings
06/25/2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Hillsboro, Oregon is home to the largest Intel campus in the United States as the base of operations for most of Intel’s CPU development. Hillsboro boasts experts and teams in IC and PCB physical layout, packaging, and R&D. Intel and satellite companies in its orbit deliver PCB fabrication and PCB assembly as well. So it's no surprise that SMTA Oregon’s annual meeting takes place practically in the shadows of Intel’s Hillsboro campus.
Merlin Circuit Technology Receive NADCAP Recertification
06/24/2024 | Merlin Circuit TechnologyMerlin Circuit Technology Limited is pleased to announce they have been awarded Nadcap Merit status.