The U.S. Economic Outlook and the Future of the Roaring 2020s

These are dynamic times for the U.S. economy and our industry as we continue into the 2020s – or what I’ve been calling “the Roaring 2020s.”Despite a challenging start to the decade, 2021 has shown some very strong year-on-year growth in key economic indicators, and though there may be a slower growth rate in the years ahead, we have definitely seen a recovery out of a pretty steep decline from last year.

Source: The U.S. Economic Outlook and the Future of the Roaring 2020s | TTI, Inc.

SMEs Step Up Supply Chain Sustainability Games

The news headlines are filled with the advances large corporations are making on the environmental sustainability front: Starbucks is storing more carbon than it emits, fully eliminating waste, and replenishing more water than it uses; Unilever sourced 62% of its raw materials from sustainable sources in 2019, and is now using artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies to get to the point where all materials come from 100% sustainable sources; and Walmart’s Project Gigaton is working to avoid the emissions of 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas throughout its value chain.

Source: Small-to-Mid-sized Enterprises Step Up their Supply Chain Sustainability Games | Source Today

US Dept of Commerce announces new system for detecting supply chain shortages

The US Department of Commerce Monday unveiled its Microelectronics Early Alert System, a new system for detecting supply chain shortages in the semiconductor industry. This system is part of President Biden’s program for strengthening supply chains in semiconductor manufacturing, batteries, critical minerals, and pharmaceuticals. Biden signed an executive order on February 24 ordering 100-day supply chain reviews for these four industries. The 100-day report for the semiconductor industry highlighted the globalized and fragile nature of the semiconductor supply chain.

Source: US Department of Commerce announces new system for detecting supply chain shortages – JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary

Electronics Component Shortage: A Tale of Two Decades

In 2001, there was so much excess component inventory in the supply chain that more than $13 billion worth of semiconductors alone was written down or off by component makers, distributors and customers. People still wince at the memory. In 2021, there’s such a severe shortage of semiconductors that the automotive industry is set to lose more than $100 billion in sales because it can’t get chips. “Desperation” is a term that’s been kicked around.

Source: Electronics Component Shortage: A Tale of Two Decades

Counterfeit Risk Rises When Supplies Run Short

The risk of procuring counterfeit electronics rises considerably during periods of component shortages. With semiconductor supplies remaining tight through the end of 2022, the industry faces a prolonged interval of increased risk. Industry sources have used the word “desperate” to describe the current shortage situation. When a high-priced product such as an automobile can’t be manufactured for lack of a single part, procurement may circumvent approved vendor lists (AVL) for alternative sources of supply.

Source: Counterfeit Risk Rises When Supplies Run Short

It Shouldn’t Be Just Chips

The U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration are hurtling down the track toward investing billions of dollars in the domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry. But there is a flaw in their approach because they are ignoring the broader manufacturing infrastructure that is needed to combine semiconductors with other parts to create reliable electronic systems.

Source: EETimes – It Shouldn’t Be Just Chips

The global chip shortage is going from bad to worse

London (CNN Business)In the market for a new car, smartphone or washing machine this year? A global shortage of computer chips could mean you have to wait a while and pay more.A growing number of manufacturers around the world are having trouble securing supplies of semiconductors, delaying the production and delivery of goods and threatening to push up the prices paid by consumers.

Source: The global chip shortage is going from bad to worse. Here’s why you should care – CNN

Deteriorating Raw Material Supply to Intensify

Unexpected events in 2021 have worsened the supply of already short raw materials like silicon and glass substrate, wafers, crystal oscillators and plastic. As a result, production for a variety of components has been impacted, causing shortages of ICs, CPUs and memory.As we move through Q2, we will see impacts of these unpredictable disruptions unfold as we deal with additional raw material shortages on the horizon.

Source: Deteriorating Raw Material Supply to Intensify

Managing 2021’s Semiconductor Shortage 

The burgeoning semiconductor shortage of 2021 hit chipmakers “like a ton of bricks,” according to one distributor.  Of course, that’s not the phrase semiconductor suppliers would use.

Source: Managing 2021’s Semiconductor Shortage :: EPS News | MyNewsletterBuilder

Addressing the World’s E-Waste Issues

As e-waste continues to head toward the world’s landfills and keeps on increasing, the push is on to recycle and reuse more end-of-life electronic products.

Source: Addressing the World’s E-Waste Issues | Source Today

France Calls To Reduce EU Dependence On Electronic Components

As per a report by Reuters, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called for a new plan on electronic components to reduce European dependence on Asian suppliers in the domain this year. He told reporters such dependence was unacceptable and was making the European Union vulnerable in industries like car manufacturing that had run short of some components from Asia.

Source: France Calls To Reduce EU Dependence On Electronic Components: Report

The Evolution of The Electronics Industry

The electronics industry has developed leaps and bounds over the past century. With the Consumer Electronics segment projected to reach a revenue of $415,897m in 2021 with an annual growth rate of 4.0%, stated by Statista, the industry is not slowing down anytime soon.

Source: The Evolution of The Electronics Industry