Inflation Spirals in the High-Tech Supply Chain
When judging the cost of electronics, it’s about more than the price of an individual part
Electronic Component Demand Shows Signs of Softening
Following two years of positive sales growth, electronic component sales sentiment fell into negative territory in June
Price Hikes Boost Chipmakers’ Growth in 2021
The semiconductor shortage is causing pain to manufacturers that can’t find enough chips, but it’s been a boon to the global IC industry
Reshoring Success Stories in a Challenging Environment
The last two years have touched almost every supply chain imaginable. Even before the pandemic started in earnest, American manufacturers were already interested in reshoring. Back in 2019, manufacturers wanted to reduce their dependence on foreign markets and cut their carbon footprints. But now as demand for components continues to outpace supply — some analysts…
U.S. Factories Power Though Supply Chain Constraints
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…
DRAM Shortage Spotlights Small Memory Suppliers
Sales of DRAM—the most commoditized of electronic components – grew 26 percent in Q2 2021 to $24.1 billion and propelled Samsung to the world’s leading chip supplier for the same period. But DRAM is also known for frequent boom-to-bust cycles and supplies are looking tight into next year. All of which is good for fabless…
Manufacturing Activity Eases Slightly in July
The pace of U.S. manufacturing growth cooled a bit in July as factories continued to struggle with labor and supply constraints. But some pressures appear to be easing: prices paid by manufacturers declined 6.4 percent between June and July, according to the Institute for Supply Management, and factory employment increased. Overall, the nation’s PMI decreased…
Component Prices Rise 10% to 40%
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…
Channel Feels the Impact of Logistics Costs & Backlog
While manufacturing has rebounded from the long Covid quarantine, the supply chain has not. Logistics operations – already short-handed – are dealing with a seemingly unending series of disruptions. And there’s no relief in sight, experts say. Shipping operations at the Port of Yantian, which were scaled back due to a Covid outbreak, have improved,…
New Record High for Memory ICs Expected in 2022
Memory IC sales, fueled by economic recovery and the transition to a digital economy, are forecast to reach $180.4 billion in 2022, exceeding the previous record high set in 2018. IC Insights recently updated its forecast for 33 major IC product categories, including DRAM and NAND flash, in its April Update to the 2021 edition…