Market Analysis

Chip stocks plummet amidst US-China tensions

Chip stocks worldwide have slumped due to fears surrounding the global computer chip industry. The sell-off followed reports that the Biden administration may further tighten restrictions on exports of semiconductor equipment to China. Comments by former US President Donald Trump, suggesting that Taiwan should fund its own defence, added to these concerns. In the US,

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Industry Insights Supply Chain Management Sustainability

How procurement teams can navigate sustainability

By Jack Macfarlane, Founder and CEO, DeepStream Technologies Recent research published in the Harvard Business Review has shown a significant increase in consumer demand for sustainable practices, making sustainability a critical threshold for purchase decisions. It is now the minimum standard businesses must meet to show their commitment to the environment and secure client or

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Supply Chain Management

The impact of globalisation on the electronic supply chain and its recent decline

Globalisation has bore the fruit of much of the modern era, but with tensions rising, how will its decline impact the electronic supply chain? Globalisation has significantly shaped the electronic supply chain over the past few decades. By enabling the seamless movement of goods, services, and capital across international borders, globalisation facilitated the creation of

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News

Procurement Pro is now on LinkedIn

Procurement Pro, a leading print and digital magazine for procurement professionals in the electronics industry, is excited to announce the launch of its new LinkedIn page. The newly launched page will serve as an extension of the magazine’s mission to be the “go-to” guide for industry professionals seeking top components and reliable sourcing strategies. The

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Supply Chain Management

Why testing isn’t enough to prevent counterfeit components from entering the supply chain

Author: Victor Meijers, Senior Vice President, Electronic Components Industry Association Over 10 years ago, the Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report following the discovery of counterfeit electronic parts from China in the Air Force’s largest cargo plane, in assemblies intended for Special Operations helicopters, and in a Navy surveillance plane. In fact, they revealed

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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

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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Industry Insights

Railroad Strikes, Unionization, and the Electronics Industry…

What Could Go Wrong? So, the railroad strike was averted the day before the walkout, but what would a strike have meant? Freight railroads transport approximately 40% of long-haul cargo and 125,000 railroad workers. The strike would have crippled the country’s supply chain on many levels. Since trains are thought to be most important to

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