-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueWet Process Control
In this issue, we examine wet processes and how to obtain a better degree of control that allows usable data to guide our decisions and produce consistently higher-quality products.
Don’t Just Survive, Thrive
If we are to be relevant and prosper during these next critical decades in electronics, we must do more than survive. As an industry, we can and must thrive. In this issue, our contributors explore these concepts meant to help you take your business to the next level.
Material Matters
Materials management is nuanced, multifaceted, and requires a holistic systems approach for business success. When building high mix, low volume, and high technology, managing materials and overall cost containment are even greater challenges.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 11.6 Percent in March
April 27, 2023 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC announced the March 2023 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 0.91.
Total North American PCB shipments in March 2023 were up 11.6 percent compared to the same month last year. Compared to the preceding month, March shipments were up 30.1 percent.
PCB bookings in March were down 10.5 percent compared to the same month last year. March bookings were up 2.3 percent compared to the preceding month.
“The book-to-bill slipped this month, but this was driven in part by strong shipments,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist. “Order flow is holding steady, but at lower levels than a year ago.”
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
From Silicon to Systems
09/10/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineFor the past few years, IPC has been championing the term “silicon to systems.” More than a buzzword, it has become a slogan—and even a kind of roadmap—for the organization. The term comes in especially handy when IPC is advocating for this industry in Washington, D.C., often addressing politicians who have little understanding of electronics technology.
The Shaughnessy Report: Silicon to Systems—The Walls Are Coming Down
09/10/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy -- Column: The Shaughnessy ReportTraditionally, most designers of PCBs and ICs have operated in separate silos, unaware of much of what’s happening upstream or downstream. IC designers did their thing, and PCB designers did theirs, and everything worked. Until recently, that is.
A Leader in Sustainability: Talking With Barjouth Aguilar of Flex
09/09/2024 | Lorena Villanueva, IPC Mexico, DirectorI first met Barjouth Aguilar in March 2024 at Women's IPC Day in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, an event organized within the framework of International Women's Day, when she participated in a panel meant to inspire attendants to learn more about the role of women in the electronics industry. Barjouth, a fellow Mexican, has become a woman I admire and respect.
Calling All California Employers: Harness State Funding for Workforce Training with IPC and ETP
09/05/2024 | IPCIPC, a global industry association dedicated to its member companies' competitive excellence and financial success, announces a pivotal opportunity for California employers under the Employment Training Panel (ETP) program.
WHMA/IPC Issues Call for Participation for Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo 2025
09/04/2024 | IPCWHMA/IPC invites engineers, researchers, academics, technical experts, and industry leaders to submit proposals for the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE), to be held May 6-8, 2025 at Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wis. The deadline for proposals is on November 8, 2024.