The sales of the circuit board manufacturers in October 2008 was approximately 14% below the value of the previous year. However it reached the usual average values according to the Association of the Circuit Board Manufacturers and the ZVEI-Fachverband Electronic Components and Systems. The cumulated sales remain at the level of the previous year (minus 1 percent).

The negative effects of the beginning recession were still small for the circuit board manufacturers in October. However, suppliers have been noticing continuing purchasing restraint for some months. According to the Associations’ reports, the stocks of circuit boards has been consistently and clearly reduced for a long time now. Despite an expected downturn in the circuit board market, the orders received in October 2008 were again at an especially high level. The causes are relatively rigid purchasing time periods of several user segments.

Cumulated over the first 10 months of 2008, the orders received were also at the level of those of the previous year. Because of the high volume of orders received with the same average sales, the Book-to-Bill ratio achieved an extraordinary value of 1.29. However, the number of employees was reduced by 2.2 percent compared to the previous month. Reduced sales expectations for the coming periods have resulted in fixed period working contracts not being renewed.