Tech companies have been among the early drivers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives but in general, businesses lack official performance targets and policies, according to Forrester Consulting. The inability to effectively assess individual suppliers and to measure overall supply chain performance are top impediments to progress. The research found CSR’s scope has grown beyond…
Trade wars, tariffs and geopolitical concerns have spurred global electronics manufacturers to reassess their strategies regarding China. But rather than abandon the nation entirely, China Plus One is taking hold as a way to diversify supply chain risks. “Trade dynamics with China have changed,” said Vipul Kumar, manager, procurement and supply chain intelligence for business…
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with a statement from Avnet. Maxim Integrated Products, which was officially acquired by Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) in August, is discontinuing its relationship with distributor Avnet Inc. Maxim accounted for roughly 3 percent of Avnet’s fiscal 2021 sales of $19.5 billion. The transition will take place over the…
Digi-Key Electronics, which offers the world’s largest selection of electronic components in stock for immediate shipment, announced that it has secured a partnership with Futaba through the Digi-Key Marketplace to offer their range of OLED modules. Futaba offers display products such as OLED displays for battery-operated devices and TFT-LCD modules offering a USB interface and…
For 16 months the U.S. manufacturing sector has expanded in spite of – rather than thanks to – the global supply chain. The U.S. PMI in September increased by 1.2 percent to 61.1, according to the Institute for Supply Management. However, concern regarding the semiconductor shortage reached its highest level so far this year, said…
Several research firms describe the electronics market environment as “stable” entering the all-important calendar Q4. Lead times, for example, have leveled out, according to LevaData and the ECIA, and demand shows no sign of abating. However, logistics experts continue to point to seemingly endless backups at international seaports and retailers are bracing for holiday shipping…
In 2001, there was so much excess component inventory in the supply chain that more than $13 billion worth of semiconductors alone was written down or off by component makers, distributors and customers. People still wince at the memory. In 2021, there’s such a severe shortage of semiconductors that the automotive industry is set to…
The risk of procuring counterfeit electronics rises considerably during periods of component shortages. With semiconductor supplies remaining tight through the end of 2022, the industry faces a prolonged interval of increased risk. Industry sources have used the word “desperate” to describe the current shortage situation. When a high-priced product such as an automobile can’t be…
Long-term demand for electronic components remains robust although sales expectations for the third and fourth quarters have moderated, according to the ECIA. Concerns and uncertainty related to the economy, inflationary pressure and the resurgence of Covid-19 with potential shutdowns could account for the continuing shift of sentiment, said Chief Economist Dale Ford in a release.…
U.S. manufacturing powered through supply chain constraints in August to maintain a 15-month streak of expansion. New order and production levels underlined sustained demand while factories continued to struggle to find components, materials and workers. Tech companies led growth in August despite semiconductor and other supply shortages. The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI increased 0.4…