Ep. 35 | The Impact of Chip Shortages on the Electronics Industry

Moore's Lobby · 19 Oct 2021 · 59m · Episode 8

What this episode covers

Dave Doherty of Digi-Key, Steve Sanghi of Microchip Technology, and Michael Knight of TTI discuss the global chip shortage, citing constraints in semiconductors, passives, and raw materials like resins and metals. The panel attributes the crisis to a 'perfect storm' of pandemic shutdowns, climate events, and labor shortages, noting that automotive production has dropped significantly due to missing microcontrollers. They predict lead times will remain extended for at least a year and emphasize the need for distributors to act as supply chain insurance through higher inventory levels.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 13m

    Chip Shortage Denier

    Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics returns from paternity leave to discuss the severe semiconductor supply chain crisis with host Dave Jones. They analyze how major companies like General Motors and Apple misjudged demand during the pandemic, leading to canceled orders and a subsequent shortage that persists due to long lead times for fab equipment and raw materials. Gammell details his personal struggles with component unavailability, forcing him to redesign circuits, swap microcontrollers, and shrink firmware to fit smaller, available parts, while Jones highlights the legal implications of force majeure notices from distributors like Bryman.

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 33m

    EMS@C-LEVEL Season 2021 Episode #15 with David Loftus, President and CEO of ECIA

    David Loftus, President and CEO of the Electronic Component Industry Association (ECIA), discusses the global semiconductor shortage, attributing it to a combination of pandemic-induced demand shifts and cyclical industry dynamics. He analyzes the impact of government interventions, including proposed subsidies for new fabs and potential corporate tax hikes, arguing that political uncertainty and immigration restrictions hinder supply chain security. Loftus also highlights the risks of 'alternate ordering' by R&D departments and the automotive industry's failure to utilize authorized distribution channels during the crisis.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 17m

    Living Through Chipageddon

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the ongoing semiconductor shortage, dubbed 'Chipageddon,' analyzing its impact on industries like automotive and consumer electronics, and the supply chain dynamics driving it. They then shift to technical tooling, debating the challenges of importing Eagle files into KiCad and best practices for managing hardware version control in Git. Finally, Gammell promotes his new consulting course, 'Hang Your Technical Shingle,' while Jones shares advice on resume building and showcases high-quality PCB renders created with Blender.

  • The Amp Hour · 59m

    Chips And Fabs And Garages

    Jeff Keyzer of MightyOhm joins Chris Gammell to discuss severe component shortages, specifically Atmel AVR microcontrollers like the ATmega328 and 32U2, which have lead times extending into 2011. They explore the supply chain dynamics involving fabless companies, TSMC, and distributors like DigiKey, and discuss the shift toward lead-free soldering and RoHS compliance. The conversation also covers the potential for hobbyists to fabricate chips using MOSIS or home-brewed methods, referencing Jerry Palladino's garage MOSFET project and the use of laser printers for etching.

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 23m

    BONUS - That SCOOPshow - Season 5, Episode 2 - Component Shortages with IPC's Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac

    IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac joins host Philip Stotton to analyze the historic component shortages and supply chain disruptions affecting the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. DuBravac explains that strong demand for durable goods, combined with reduced air freight capacity and logistics bottlenecks, has created a 'historic aberration' in book-to-bill ratios and extended lead times by 8 weeks or more. The conversation covers the resulting pressure on profit margins, the strain on OEM-EMS relationships, and the industry's shift toward digital transformation and supply chain resilience to mitigate risks like stockpiling and counterfeit components.

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