Union Tool’s PCB Drill Sales to Drop by 24.8% in F2009

World largest printed circuit board drill maker, Union Tool plans 234 million units of PCB drill sales in the year to November 2009, which is 24.8% lower than previous year. The firm expects severe sales drop when the sales already decreased since October and would drop to around half in December-February from same period of previous year.

Printed circuit board production decreases due to slump in appliances and automobile industries. The lower demand impacts on PCB drill market. Union Tool expects the sales condition shows sign to hit bottom but the market is still uncertain when and how it recovers.

PCB drill price also drops sharply. The price decreased by 17% in Shanghai and by 11% in Taiwan in the year to November 2008 from previous year. The firm tries to minimize the cost structure by reducing the consumption of cemented carbide for edge and handle of the drill.