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.…
The past 18 months has proven that the unthinkable really can happen, and the whole world has had to deal with previously unseen levels of disruption without any real guidelines. The pandemic has demonstrated how seriously production is affected when supplies aren’t available, travel is restricted, and when less (or no) workers are allowed on…
Optimism regarding electronic component sales has tempered in the past few months, according to ECIA, although demand remains steadfastly high. The economy, inflation and supply chain constraints have likely contributed to softening expectations. It’s also possible that, after six months of chip allocation, OEMs are realistic about the number of parts they can expect to…
Supply chains had an unusually challenging year in 2020, one that will likely result in considerable changes. After the Covid-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions around the globe, logistics companies are taking new steps to prevent similar situations in the future. Data analytics is taking center stage amid all this change. Experts predict that the world…
Increased component prices are inevitable when demand outstrips supply. But the electronics supply chain is being hammered on all sides – from materials to logistics — with rising costs. As one freight expert put it: “In 2020 and 2021, global logistics just can’t seem to catch a break.” For months, the Institute for Supply Management…
With Intel Corp. predicting a scarcity of semiconductors that will last years, chip makers are set to build 29 new fabs by the end of 2022, according to industry group SEMI. These plans will have little impact on the current shortage, which has spread well beyond the automotive industry. Although fab plans represent a boon…
The labor shortage is fast becoming the next significant problem for the supply chain. Many frontline warehouse employees fall into the category of shift workers who have yet to return to the workforce, even as the economy bounces back, and the demand for workers still continues to climb. While these critical jobs remain difficult to fill, employers are focusing on optimizing…
Supply chains are evolving at unprecedented rates. Though it may come as somewhat of a shock to those who aren’t directly involved in supply chain management, the whole industry is changing to meet the demands of consumers in an economy that is already rapidly shifting. For those in supply chain operations, these adaptations can pose…
While the integral Suez Canal supply channel is no longer blocked, other supply chain issues remain. In fact, according to a recent report, 24 container ships – with a combined maximum carrying capacity nearly 10 times that of the Suez Canal ship – were recently anchored off the coast of Los Angeles and Long Beach…
While 2020 is behind us, the continuing global pandemic has taught a host of supply chain lessons, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of electronics suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers. In the turn of a calendar year, this traditional industry has gone from embracing the way it’s always been done to looking at new ways of…