Component manufacturers have the ambition to enter foreign markets but may face difficulty establishing their brands. Tapping into an emerging market – especially a largely fragmented region with differences in language, culture and levels of business maturity – can be daunting. Should suppliers establish a direct presence, acquire a local business or partner with a…
Although the U.S. and China have reached a cease-fire on new tariffs, the electronics supply chain remains chaotic, one executive told the Institute for Supply Management. “China tariffs and pending Mexico tariffs are wreaking havoc with supply chains and costs. The situation is crazy, driving a huge amount of work [and] costs, as well as…
Editor’s note: Following the news of possible tariffs on goods imported from Mexico – and the ongoing trade war with China – EPSNews’ sister publication EBN reached out to a few friends and colleagues from the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) world to find out what they and their customers think of this thorny issue. This…
Editor’s note: Following the news of possible tariffs on goods imported from Mexico – and the ongoing trade war with China — EPSNews’ sister publication EBN reached out to a few friends and colleagues from the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) world to find out what they and their customers think of this thorny issue. This…
Growth in U.S. manufacturing activity in May slowed to its weakest pace in more than two years as purchasing managers raised concerns about a trade war between the U.S. and China, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The ISM’s monthly factory index, the PMI, registered 52.1 percent in May, a 0.7 percent decrease from…
Industry experts polled in April were slightly more optimistic about electronic component demand, bookings and order cancellations than they were in March. Of roughly 20,000 global respondents to Technology Partners Consultants’ April survey, 29 percent expect a better Q2, versus 23 percent the prior month. “Based on our survey results and conversations with various supply…
Effective inventory management is necessary for any business, but it’s especially critical for electronics manufacturers and their supply chains. Increased efficiency can maximize profits and sales, lower operating costs and introduce better controls and management processes. “When you have control over your inventory, you’re able to provide better customer service,” said Johnny Marx, an account…
Editor’s Note: This is the second of two articles examining the impact of tariffs — positive and negative–on the electronics industry. For political pundits, the United States government’s tariff strategy is about political leverage. For electronics OEMs, however, tariffs are about business. “As a United States patron, I look at it through the lens of…
The fortunes of the electronics supply chain can change on a dime. Following two years of severe component shortages, demand is weakening, and inventories are too high, a March study found. One global distributor describes the environment as “normalizing” but cautions there’s still a lot of instability in the 2019 forecast. “Based on our survey…
A gauge of U.S. factory activity topped estimates in March, rebounding from a two-year low on strength in employment, new orders and manufacturing production. The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI reached 55.3 percent in March, a 1.1 percent increase from the prior month. Any number above 50 indicates manufacturing expansion. March made up for ground…