A new front has opened in efforts to revive U.S. chip manufacturing as lawmakers propose billions of dollars in spending and tax incentives to promote technology innovation across the entire semiconductor ecosystem — from post-Moore’s Law basic research to advanced chip packaging. While the Trump Administration seeks to block China’s access to U.S. chip making…
Three electronics brands — Apple, FitBit and Tile—are among companies that plan to move some or all of their production out of China, according to Coresight Research. The trend isn’t new, but a recent survey found consumers are souring on Chinese-made goods. Among U.S. shoppers, 47.8 percent said American retailers should source fewer products from…
The onset of the coronavirus epidemic has accelerated the supply chain digital transformation that has languished on businesses’ “to-do” list for years. Covid-19 has exposed barriers to collaboration that most companies tolerate under normal circumstances. It’s fair to say the electronics supply chain currently aspires to “normal.” Even before Covid-19 hit, 92 percent of companies…
Global smartphone sales to end users declined 20.2% in the first quarter of 2020, according to Gartner, Inc. The global shelter-in-place combined with the economic uncertainty brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic led to demand for smartphones collapsing as consumers stopped spending on nonessential products during the first quarter. “The coronavirus pandemic caused the global smartphone market…
It seems the only person who could beat Jeff Bezos to becoming the world’s first trillionaire would be someone with a crystal ball that can accurately predict the supply chain for the rest of 2020. The global crisis has everyone running, as demand forecasts, production schedules, and distribution planning have all gone out the window.…
The electronics supply chain relies on new product introductions (NPI) to drive both innovation and sales. More than half (53 percent) of electronics industry product launches have been delayed or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Dimensional Research study commissioned by Supplyframe. Covid-19 also has led to increased component costs, the need…
The first quarter of 2020 has represented a historic low for the smartphone industry. While some technology sectors, like cloud services, have excelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the mobile industry has not. As Covid-19 continues to spread throughout the globe, it’s causing substantial economic effects on smartphone companies. Counterpoint Research reports a 13% year-over-year loss…
Many small and mid-sized suppliers to global manufacturers are strapped for cash as the battle against Covid-19 rages on. Companies are either coming off the worst of their regional outbreak; experiencing their peak; or temporarily suspending operations. Several experts say not all of those companies will survive. “[We saw] supplier bankruptcies during the 2009 crash…
In times of global crisis, the world relies on the trucking industry to transport essential items across the country. From medical supplies to restocking the shelves at local grocery stores, truck drivers play an integral role in maintaining the supply chain. In order to keep these essential items moving during the Covid-19 crisis, the Department…
Government initiatives aimed at reviving U.S. manufacturing were already underway when the coronavirus effectively knocked out distribution channels linking Chinese manufacturers and U.S. consumers. For example, the Defense Department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Office has aggressively sought to secure the electronics supply chain for critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, several industrial base proposals have been floated…