by 
Several economic indicators have taken the wind out of the sales of continuing industry growth. The May Institute of Supply Management (ISM) business report saw manufacturing activity contract, and the IPC reports a similar trend.
Global economic growth is picking up, but the continuing economic crisis in the 17-nation euro area is delaying a meaningful recovery, according to the IPC. Leading macroeconomic indicators and electronics supply chain indicators point to slow growth in the second quarter of 2013, according to IPC’s quarterly report, Electronics Industries Market Data Update. The May 2013 edition reports the latest global and regional developments in the economy and the electronics industry, including selected findings from IPC’s industry statistical programs and leading indicators.
In the global electronics supply chain, only laminate and semiconductors showed positive year-on-year growth in Q1 2013, but the growth rates were meager. In North America, Q1 results were more mixed. Sales of solder and assembly equipment in the region enjoyed strong growth, while the EMS, PCB, laminate and process consumables industries fell short of last year’s sales levels.
Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in March for the fourth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 46th consecutive month. IPC’s North American Electronics Industry Performance Index© reflects an outlook for slow growth in the months ahead. Another leading indicator for electronics supply chain sales growth in North America is the PCB book-to-bill ratio, which reached a 34-month high in April at 1.10, indicating that sales across the supply chain may resume positive growth momentum in the latter half of 2013.
IPC’s Market Data Update is free to IPC members, who can access the latest edition via a log-in page at www.ipc.org/Update. It is also available by subscription at www.ipc.org/MDU-subscription. More information on IPC’s Market Data Update and other IPC market research reports, go to www.ipc.org/IndustryData.
