Germany’s printed circuit board (PCB) market in January 2009 grew slightly over the previous month, but according to ZVEI, the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, volume was just 60% of the volume reached in the previous year.

Incoming orders, although higher, were attributed to the fact that December has fewer working days due to the holidays. On top of this, PCB makers say orders were given only at a short notice and were still at substantial price pressures. Compared to the same period last year, incoming orders were more than 60% less in January 2009; and less than half the average value of the past several years.

Book-to-bill ratio, which showed recovery in December 2008, fell to 0.74 in January 2009-said to be the lowest January value in the past 16 years.

Related posts:

1. German PCB Market Down Nearly 27 percent in November 2008
2. German PCB Market Shows Betterment in June
3. German PCB Market Down 14% in October 2008
4. German PCB Market Still Not Recovering From Financial Crisis
5. German PCB Market Continues to drop in December 2008