Industry members reflect on IPC's role as an important source of economic, environmental and governmental information |
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Greg Papandrew, President, Bare Board Group
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Sharon Starr, IPC Director of Market Research |
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Market research and statistical programs have been among IPC’s member services since the organization’s founding in 1957. These services strengthen the electronic interconnect industry by helping member companies to excel and compete. Member companies benefit by identifying opportunities, understanding trends and having data that provides a solid basis for planning.
All of these programs were created to meet the needs of all segments of IPC’s membership, including manufacturers of printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies, PCB and EMS suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). IPC members drive the content of these programs, which are constantly evolving to meet their changing needs.
Selected industry data from IPC’s market research programs, as well as data from related industries, can be found here.
Of IPC’s market research, the most widely known is the PCB book-to-bill reports. These are regular news releases issued to the trade press around the end of each month reporting selected results of the previous month’s survey of North American PCB shipments and bookings. The monthly book-to-bill ratio is a useful metric for tracking the dynamics of the industry and projecting near-term growth.
IPC sponsors more than 25 different statistical programs, which generate more than 90 reports each year. Most of these reports are only available to survey participants, but some of the data is available to the public on the Current Industry Trends page.
Details about the statistical programs available to IPC members
If you are participating in one of these programs and need to complete a survey, go to IPC’s Survey Center.
Market Data Update
The Market Data Update is a quarterly business report published by IPC Market Research. It brings together the latest data highlights from many segments across the supply chain. Covering metals, solder, chemicals, assembly equipment, laminates, PCBs, EMS and end-product industries, it offers readers a bird’s eye view of industry dynamics. The data comes from IPC’s many statistical programs, as well as from other sources, and includes general economic trends. There is analysis on every segment of the industry’s supply chain, showing how related industries are affecting one another. Every issue includes leading indicators to help readers anticipate and plan for changes in their business environment. Company sites that are members of IPC receive this report for free, but now others can also receive the Market Data Update by separate subscription. Subscribe to Market Data Update (.pdf).
Are We Meeting Your Needs?
Do you have questions or comments about IPC's market research? Do you have suggestions for improving our programs? What are your needs? Please share your feedback with IPC's director of market research.
The IPC Market Research program sponsors annual conferences for industry executives in Asia, Europe and North America. The conferences bring the entire supply chain together to hear experts speak on technologies, markets and management issues of strategic importance to your business. Information about upcoming conferences
Resources Available Online
In the IPC Members Only area of the website, an online archive that contains past studies and conference proceedings as well as slide-show recordings of selected conference presentations is available to members.
IPC members can log in on the IPC Members Only page. To become a member or learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit the About Membership page.
Many of IPC’s market research reports are available for sale to non-members and non-survey-participants. Browse the list of market research reports in IPC’s Online Store.
For more information about IPC’s market research services, contact Sharon Starr, IPC’s director of market research, +1 847-597-2817, SharonStarr@ipc.org. |
