North American EMS Shipments Down 9.8% in September
BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American EMS shipments in September were down 9.8% compared to the same month last year, according to IPC's monthly North American EMS Statistical Program. Compared to the preceding month, September shipments decreased 12.4%. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.27.
EMS bookings in September decreased 17.4% year-over-year and decreased 14.2% from the previous month.
"Lower bookings this month were met with lower shipments, which has kept the book-to-bill at 1.27 for the third consecutive month," said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist.
The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in IPC’s survey sample. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to twelve months. A ratio of less than 1.00 indicates the reverse.
