IPC: Markets Experience ‘Full Recovery’ from Recession
BANNOCKBURN, IL – Most segments of the electronics interconnect supply chain worldwide posted double-digit year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2010, with sales recovering to peak levels, a top trade group said today.
PCB assembly equipment, laminate, electronics manufacturing services and process consumables led the pack, IPC said. Sales in most industry segments have returned to pre-recession levels.
Strong indications point to full recovery for most economies from the 2008 – 2009 recession. Most electronics industry segments are still experiencing strong but slowing growth, and markets are returning to normal, the association says.
In North America, the top performers for the quarter were PCB assembly equipment, flexible circuits and the EMS industry.
The fourth-quarter IPC Index of North American Electronics Industry Performance stands at 16.5, down from 31 in the third quarter, but still solidly positive.
