Wow! It’s crazy that 2023 is now just about behind us, and what a dramatic and dynamic year it was! What were the key themes of the year? At the beginning of the year, I think most would say their greatest concern was the economy and their least concern was the tech industry. Yet the year turned out to be almost the exact opposite of that.
supply chain
Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in China
Like being forced to watch a rerun of a movie you never liked in the first place, China is back to closing major cities around the country as a new round of COVID infections has emerged. China continues to maintain a “zero-COVID” policy of government-ordered aggressive measures designed to stamp out any new outbursts of coronavirus infections. But the impact of this policy is disastrous to the local and global economies – threatening to snuff out the recent signs of a recovery in the supply chain.
See how China’s shutdowns leave the supply chain recovery threatened
[Read more…] about Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in ChinaCrestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?
This week, Crestron Electronics held a special Supply Chain Town Hall meeting with their dealers to conduct a deep dive into the root causes of their delivery delays, suggest what actions dealers can take, and offer a preview of what to expect in the future. The action was taken, the company says, in the name of transparency – a noble goal. But some dealers are asking what took so long – we are now 2½ years into supply chain issues and things don’t seem to be getting any better at Crestron. Or are they?
See more on the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall meeting
[Read more…] about Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?Yamaha Corp Warns of Continuing Chip Shortage
Shizuoka, Japan-based Yamaha Corporation – the world’s largest musical instrument maker that also offers pro, commercial, and residential audio gear is warning markets that the global chip shortage – while improving marginally lately – is still creating challenges that constrict manufacturers’ ability to achieve production goals. It is the first such warning I’ve seen from a company well known for acoustic pianos – but whose electronic instruments and audio gear generate more revenue.
See more of what the Yamaha President had to say about chips
[Read more…] about Yamaha Corp Warns of Continuing Chip ShortageSenate Finally Takes Action on CHIPS Act, Setting the Stage for Its Passage
More than a year after its initial introduction, and in the wake of chip manufacturers threatening to scale back their U.S. projects, the United States Senate finally took action on Tuesday to move forward on the bill known as the CHIPS Act. After months of at times heavy discussion/arguing, the stage is set for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote on its passage, perhaps as early as next week.
See more on this development with the CHIPS Act
[Read more…] about Senate Finally Takes Action on CHIPS Act, Setting the Stage for Its PassageChip Makers Threaten to Scale Back U.S. Plans Citing Inaction by Congress
Major American and Asian chip makers warned this week that they may scale back their planned investments in building U.S. semiconductor production if Congress doesn’t finally move forward and pass the CHIPS Act. The CHIPS Act is legislation the administration seeks to build up a more robust U.S.-based semiconductor supply chain.
Learn more on chip makers pulling back on U.S. fab projects
[Read more…] about Chip Makers Threaten to Scale Back U.S. Plans Citing Inaction by CongressGlobal Manufacturing Inventory Levels Hit a Record $1.8 Trillion
Manufacturers Struggle with Multiple Global Challenges
A broad group of global manufacturers in diverse markets from Ford to Samsung have seen their inventory levels swell as consumer demand weakens in the wake of surging inflation and destabilizing economic conditions, according to a new analysis by the Nikkei. According to their research, global manufacturing inventories have swelled to $1.8 trillion, a record total that is the highest measured manufacturing inventory level in the last ten years.
Learn more about rising manufacturing inventory levels
[Read more…] about Global Manufacturing Inventory Levels Hit a Record $1.8 TrillionWith Demand Slack & Inventory Levels Building, Samsung Cuts Procurement
Is an Industrywide Slowdown in Tech Beginning?
Samsung Electronics is taking action to hold back on procurement orders and asking suppliers for concessions, such as delayed deliveries, order reductions, and more in the wake of a concerning buildup of inventory. While the action is said to be temporary, concerns over a slowing global economy make it difficult to determine how long the company will deem these actions are necessary.
See more on Samsung’s actions to cut inventory buildup
[Read more…] about With Demand Slack & Inventory Levels Building, Samsung Cuts ProcurementFoxconn Raises Outlook for Year, Cites Improving Supply Chain Situation
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, the world’s largest contract manufacturer, surprised many on Tuesday when they announced they were raising their outlook for the quarter and for the year based on what they say is improving supply chain stability in China. The company is one of the largest suppliers for many companies, including Apple, Inc.
See more on what Foxconn is seeing in the supply chain
[Read more…] about Foxconn Raises Outlook for Year, Cites Improving Supply Chain SituationIn Note to Dealers on Supply Chain, Crestron Says It’s in a ‘Better Position’ Than Ever
For the last two and a half years, many industries have struggled with supply chain issues – especially Tech. During that period of time, I’ve heard over and over from integrators who were furious at one company or another for failing to deliver on their open orders. I’ve heard expletives hurled at pretty much every brand in the industry…including Crestron.
Now, in a letter to dealers from Crestron Chief Operating Officer Daniel Brady, dealers are being told that the company is “in a better position now than ever before.”