Electronics supply chain professionals have more questions than answers when it comes to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The rule, which protects EU citizens from privacy and data breaches, is viewed as a b2c initiative rather than b2b. However, one expert warns that manufacturers and the supply chain should prepare for GDPR…
U.S. factory activity in September surged to its highest level in 13 years amid strong growth in new orders and healthy levels of production. The Institute for Supply Management’s leading index, the PMI, increased by 2 percentage points from August to reach 60.8 percent. Any number above 50 indicates industry expansion. Even as manufacturers continue…
As Baby Boomers make way for Millennials in the high-tech workforce, a new generation gap is yawning. The population reared in the digital age is engaging with colleagues whose golden rule is face-to-face communication. The current electronics market will test the skills of both generations. The electronics supply chain hasn’t faced a severe components shortage…
An already-tight electronics supply chain will get squeezed even more thanks to the negative effects of Hurricane Harvey. Even as a second hurricane was bearing down on the U.S., domestic manufacturers were preparing for prices and deliveries to be significantly impacted over the next three months. Hurricane Harvey struck a significant blow to the Houston,…
The U.S. manufacturing industry accelerated its growth rate in August as the nation’s leading indicator, the Institute for Supply Management’s PMI, increased by 2.5 percent from July’s level to reach 58.8 percent. New orders, production, employment, backlog and exports also increased in August, setting the stage for continued growth in September. “August is usually a…
In the electronics supply chain, component date codes are ubiquitous. Similar in concept to the “use or sell by” date on perishable super-market items, date codes are an indicator that a part may be too old to perform to spec. Electronic components do have a shelf-life. Metals in components can corrode. Moisture and electro-static discharge…
Electronic component suppliers have been complaining for years about eroding prices. With many types components currently in short supply, prices have finally begun to tick up. But are any of these price hikes sustainable? Typically, the answer is “no.” A continual stream of better-smaller-faster components exerts downward price pressure on older-generation products. However, one research…
Electronics businesses that believe the so-called “conflict minerals” provision of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act no longer applies to them should think again. Although SEC Acting Chairman Michael Piwowar recommended in April that the Securities & Exchange Commission not enforce the provision — which requires companies to disclose the origin of tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold…
U.S. factories hit overdrive in June as domestic manufacturing indexes showed significant growth from the prior month. The Institute for Supply Management’s leading index, the PMI, increased by 2.9 percent in June to reach 57.8 percent – its fastest pace in nearly three years. All PMI supporting indexes followed suit: The new orders index registered…
Two months ago, Phil Gallagher re-joined Avnet—his employer for 32 years – after leaving Avnet and spending a year with specialty distributor TTI Inc. Gallagher, who was named president of Avnet’s Core Distribution business in April, returned to a different company than the one he left. Most significantly, Avnet has a new CEO; sold its…