The September turnover of the circuit board manufacturers in Germany was reduced by 7% compared to the previous month. This was reported by the german Verband der Leiterplattenindustrie (VdL) [Association of the Circuit Board Industry] and the ZVEI-Fachverband Electronic Components and Systems. However, the turnover was 7% above that of the comparable month of the previous year. In the first nine months there was an increase of more than 11% compared to the previous year. In comparison, the orders received were 7% up on August. Again, compared to the same month last year, this was almost 9% less. Cumulated, the orders received were 17.5% above that of the previous year. According to the associations, this level has not been achieved for the last 5 years. The number of employees shrank somewhat The reason for this, according to VdL and ZVEI was primarily because of the completion of short term jobs for holiday workers.