Supply Chain Management

Electronic components markets – an introduction 

Author: Adam Fletcher, Chairman, Electronic Components Supply Network (ecsn)  The Leadership Group and members of the Electronic Components Supply Network (ecsn) congratulate Electronics Specifier on the launch of Procurement Pro and thank the publishers for inviting the association’s Chairman Adam Fletcher to contribute to the first issue of the new magazine. In his first article,

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Supply Chain Management

The Real Impact of War on Global Supply Chains

There are obvious supply-chain impacts from war. Shortages, escalating prices, and the flow of goods are common short and long-term examples. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the more recent bloodshed between Hamas and Israel are certainly exhibiting the supply-chain impact mentioned. Still, there are more subtle effects as well. The Russia/Ukraine War

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Supply Chain Management

How Higher Freight Impacts Procurement Challenges

Many supply chain elements take a toll on procurement professionals, and the increase in freight charges accounts for a myriad of woes. Here’s a look at a few of those woes, including the impact of higher costs, timing as it applies to what’s happened to Just-in-Time delivery and the ongoing delivery delays, how freight challenges

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Supply Chain Management

Economic Instability and Supply Chains

A major supply chain challenge is economic instability. We know that supply chain challenges can cause economic instability, but what about the other way around? What impact does economic volatility have on supply chains—especially over an extended period? Supply chain challenges have been back-to-back and overlapping. Even before COVID-19’s demand surge and constrained supply wreaked

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Supply Chain Management

Semiconductor Shortage the New Normal?

The automotive industry has faced significant challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on semiconductor chip availability, causing widespread disruptions across the sector and the global economy. However, as we approach mid-2023, the situation has stabilized, and the auto industry has adjusted to a new normal. While the shortage of semiconductor chips that

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Supply Chain Management

The Simultaneous Existence of EV and ICE Supply Chains

There’s an unprecedented supply chain transformation happening in the automotive industry. On the electric vehicle side (EVs), experts estimate that manufacturers will spend more than $1.2 trillion through 2030, creating millions of electric vehicles. However, the existing supply chain for internal combustion engines (ICE) still won’t disappear. There are two separate supply chains, and while

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Supply Chain Management

5 Positive Signs of Stability in the Electronics Supply Chain

Doom, gloom, weather, war, and pandemics. Supply chain instability is the new norm. However, it’s important to recognize signs that not all is terrible, hopeless, or unpredictable. Here are five supply chain bits of better news. Of course, you might have to read it fast…things could change. #1 Electronic Components Find Stability Although we may

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Supply Chain Management

Supply Chains Are Healing, But…

So, yes, there is evidence that supply chains are healing. However, although the worst may be over, most goods transported under contracts cost more. Inflation has wreaked havoc on many segments of the chain. Shipping container cost, for example, from Asia to the US West coast, is up more than 15x, while short-term prices for

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Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Health—2023

There’s an inherent disconnect when discussing “health” when systemic crisis is the new norm. In 2022 supply chain woes were rampant–from port blockage, rising inflation, slowing demand, the war in Ukraine, COVID lockdowns, elevated inventory, hurricanes, and even MIA employees. Although there were improvements in some of these issues, disruptions to supply chain operations will

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Supply Chain Management

Can We Really Offset High Materials Costs?

The primary elements that make up a finished product are direct raw materials. They can be any mined materials, like minerals, metals, crude oil, coal, etc. There are also indirect raw materials – anything that supplements the making of finished products from direct materials. The challenges represented by accessing these materials promptly and at a

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