Despite cutbacks in the U.S. military budget, cumulative rigid PCB sales to the military market from January through May this year were up 3.4% compared to the same period in 2012, while rigid PCB sales to other markets were down 9.1% year-to-date. In the flexible circuit segment, year-to-date growth rates of sales to the military and other markets were both positive, but military sales growth was higher.

"We estimate that the military/aerospace market accounts for about 27% of the total PCB market in North America," said Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research. "Based on new data, IPC is updating its market size estimates for rigid PCBs, flexible circuits, the mil/aero, and medical vertical markets, and the prototype market. These will be reported in next month's North American PCB Market Report."

The 113-page July 2013 report provides a timely update on market trends in the North American PCB industry. Much of the information presented is based on data from IPC's monthly North American PCB Statistical Program.

A one-year subscription to the monthly report is available for $1200, with a discounted annual price of $600 for IPC members. All subscriptions offer a money-back guarantee in the first month.

IPC is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Illinois, dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,300 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly, and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research, and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2.17 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, New Mexico; Arlington, Virginia; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu and Beijing, China.