PWB industry bounces back in 1999 after sluggish 1998

Citation

(2000), "PWB industry bounces back in 1999 after sluggish 1998", Circuit World, Vol. 26 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2000.21726caf.003

PWB industry bounces back in 1999 after sluggish 1998

PWB industry bounces back in 1999 after sluggish 1998

Keywords: Electronics industry, Statistics

Early information from IPC's book-to-bill program, in which 47 percent of the USA domestic printed wiring board (PWB) market participates, indicates the PWB industry financial market was up in 1999.

December statistics show that the total dollar value for bookings (orders) in 1999 were up 6.8 percent in 1999 compared to 1998, while the dollar value for billings (shipments) increased 6.9 percent.

"The PWB industry witnessed several strong years of growth before the market weakened in 1998," says IPC vice president of industry programs Tony Hilvers. "An increase in total 1999 bookings and billings is an encouraging sign for the US PWB industry."

While the industry still faces deterioration of prices and global competition, a number of promising factors led to the rebound in growth in 1999. This included significant improvements in the Asian markets, a weakening of the dollar against Asian currencies, growth of the semi conductor industry and increased shipment of electronic products.

A complete picture of the 1999 US PWB market will be revealed when IPC releases its 1999 TMRC Analysis of the Market for Rigid Printed Wiring Boards and Related Materials at its Technology Market Research Council meetings, taking place June 21-22, 2000, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC.

For more information on the IPC monthly statistical program, contact IPC market research analyst John Hassman at (847) 790-5320; JohnHassman@ipc.org.

For more information on the IPC TMRC, contact IPC director of market research Carla Wehrspann at (847) 790-5317; CarlaWehrspann@ipc.org, or visit the IPC Web site at www.ipc.org