PCB makers may delay their capacity ramp projects originally slated for the fourth quarter of 2013 which will affect sales performance of PCB equipment suppliers in the quarter, according to industry sources.
The overall capacity utilization rate of the PCB industry is currently standing below 70%, affected by slack demand from the notebook sector, although Apple's release of its iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c has helped ramp up demand for flexible PCBs and HDI boards, the sources noted.
Consequently, PCB makers will be hesitant about expanding production capacity in the fourth quarter, resulting in a setback in demand for PCB manufacturing equipment, added the sources.
