The Verband der Leiterplattenindustrie (VdL) [Association of the Circuit Board Industry] and the ZVEI-Fachverband Electronic Components report a turnover for the circuit board manufacturers for March 2005 that is 6.5% greater than February. This turnover is 11 % below the same month of the previous year, cumulated almost 5 % below that of the first quarter of 2004. Normally the industry reaches a quarter of its annual turnover in the first quarter of the year. If this rule should also apply to this year, then, according to ZVEI and VdL, the industry must reckon with a reduced turnover.

This trend is also noticeable with the orders received. Although a correction was expected with the high volume of orders in January. Yet the extent and length of the holding back of orders is unusual. Compared to March 2004 there are 17.7% less orders, which cumulates to 12 percent less. The Book-to-Bill ratio weakened further and reached a value of 0.86. This is the lowest for the past three years.