Chip Shortage Denier

The Amp Hour · 10 May 2021 · 1h 13m · Episode 541

What this episode covers

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.

Mentioned

Companies
Bryman, General Motors, Apple, TSMC, Intel, Skywater, Analog Devices, Diodes Incorporated
Products
Snoo
Chips
STMicroelectronics, RISC-V, nRF52, PT8A2514APE
Also
DigiKey

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Moore's Lobby · 59m

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

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 03m

    360: Cats Love It!

    Ben Hest of Digi-Key discusses the company's massive warehouse operations, logistics, and the current semiconductor shortage. He explains how Digi-Key manages inventory for both hobbyists and large enterprises, the challenges of part allocation, and the transition from physical catalogs to digital tools like the BOM Manager and TechForum. Hest also highlights new components like the Raspberry Pi Pico and Parallax Propeller 2, and offers advice on navigating supply chain constraints.

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 09m

    The Oxide Supply Chain

    Kate Hicks, Head of Operations at Oxide Computer Company, details how her team navigated the global supply chain crisis by integrating operations early into the engineering process. She explains specific strategies for securing long-lead components like Sanyo Denki fans and NXP LPC55 microcontrollers through deep vendor partnerships, broker market vetting, and custom modifications. The discussion highlights the importance of API-driven automation using tools like Duro and OrCAD to manage inventory and forecasting for a small, scrappy team scaling production.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.