Registration is now open for an upcoming Procurement Pro webinar, Understanding and Navigating the Current Memory Shortage, taking place on 28th April at 2pm (UK time). Hosted by Paige Hookway, Managing Editor, and sponsored by Smith, the session will bring together industry expertise to address one of the most pressing challenges currently facing the global semiconductor sector.
The electronics industry is once again grappling with a significant memory shortage, creating mounting pressure for manufacturers, design engineers, and procurement professionals alike. As supply constraints intensify, organisations across the value chain are being forced to rethink sourcing strategies, manage rising costs, and mitigate the risk of production delays.
This timely webinar will explore the key factors behind the current shortage and provide a forward-looking perspective on how long disruptions are likely to persist. Designed for both technical and sourcing audiences, the session will combine market analysis with practical guidance, offering attendees the tools needed to navigate an increasingly constrained and complex component landscape.
A major driver of the shortage is the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The growing demand for AI servers and accelerators is fuelling unprecedented requirements for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a specialised form of memory that delivers significantly higher performance than traditional DRAM. However, this performance comes at a cost: HBM is far more complex to manufacture and requires substantially more production capacity per unit.
As a result, leading memory manufacturers are prioritising HBM output to meet the needs of hyperscalers and AI hardware providers. This strategic shift is reducing the availability of conventional DRAM and NAND flash memory, which remain critical components in embedded systems, industrial applications, and consumer electronics.
Compounding the issue, memory suppliers scaled back production during the recent downturn in the semiconductor cycle. Now, with demand rebounding, the industry is facing limited inventory levels at a time when consumption is rising sharply. With global memory production concentrated among a small number of suppliers, these dynamics are having a pronounced impact on both availability and pricing.
During the webinar, industry experts will break down these market forces in detail, offering insights into how supply and demand are evolving and what this means for organisations operating across the electronics ecosystem. The session will also address the practical implications for engineering and procurement teams, particularly in terms of component selection, lifecycle planning, and cost management.
In addition to market intelligence, attendees will gain actionable strategies to help mitigate supply risk. These include improving supply chain visibility, exploring alternative components, and fostering closer collaboration between engineering and procurement functions to ensure more resilient decision-making.
With volatility expected to continue in the semiconductor supply chain, this webinar offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to stay informed and proactive. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the current memory market, as well as practical steps to help safeguard their operations against ongoing disruption.
Speakers include:
Claudio Chan, Director of Global Commodities at Smith
Claudio Chan, Director of Global Commodities at Smith, leads the company’s team of commodity experts, with a personal focus on memory components. Joining Smith in 2013, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, guiding the company’s strategy for expansion and business development and supporting its offices in the APAC region and beyond. Drawing upon Smith’s global market outlook and decades of industry data, Claudio’s insightful expertise helps the company and its customers make the most informed, tactical purchasing decisions and stay ahead of everchanging market conditions.
Nikolaos Florous, Ph.D., Global Product Marketing Director at Memphis Electronic
Nikolaos Florous, Ph.D., Global Product Marketing Director at Memphis Electronic, is a distinguished expert in electronics and semiconductor technologies, bringing over 18 years of expertise in Sales & Marketing across diverse electronics industry sectors, including automotive, telecom infrastructure, medical, data centres, IoT, and consumer electronics.
At Memphis Electronic, Nick spearheads the company’s Memory Competence Center, driving strategic product innovation, market expansion, and positioning in the evolving semiconductor landscape. His deep technical knowledge and market insights make him a pivotal figure in advancing memory solutions for next-generation applications.
Margaret Upshur, Founder and CEO of Mobius Materials
Margaret Upshur is the Founder and CEO of Mobius Materials, a certified B2B marketplace where contract manufacturers and OEMs buy and sell excess electronic components through a trusted, authenticity-guaranteed platform. Before founding Mobius, she oversaw operations and new product development at Particle Industries, managing global supply chains and the company’s hardware P&L. There she saw first hand how much value in excess chips goes straight to landfill across the industry. She previously worked as a founding associate at McKinsey & Company’s new office in Nairobi. Margaret holds dual degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Economics from Duke University.
