Here is a recent article on the sale of IC's. Some good news IF your in the right business!
Chip Demand Leads to More Supply Deals
Financial Times, May 12, 2000
Global chip shortages are causing increasing concern among leading computer and electronics companies - but where some see business challenges, others see golden opportunities.
Worldwide chip sales reached an all-time record high in March, according to the latest report from the Semiconductor Industry Association, the US industry trade group. Chipmakers sold almost Dollars 15bn in components, about 34 per cent more than the Dollars 11.2bn they sold in the same period a year ago.
But behind these rosy figures lies a chip shortage that is causing computer and electronics giants to scramble and lock in long-term supplies. Without even the simplest component, production lines can quickly grind to a halt.
"We had a situation recently where we couldn't source capacitors," said Carly Fiorina, chief executive of Hewlett-Packard. "That could have meant the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in computer equipment sales. Fortunately we managed to locate a supplier."
Solectron, the world's largest electronics manufacturing services group, has also been affected. "We could be growing at a much faster rate if it were not for component shortages," said Ko Nishimura, chairman and chief executive of Solectron.
The company warned on April 28 that its fiscal third-quarter results would be lower than analysts' estimates, partly due to component shortages.
On Tuesday Cisco Systems, the world's largest data communications equipment group, expressed concern about chip shortages. "We have very good relations with chip suppliers but as we acquire companies, we are dealing with unfamiliar new suppliers," said John Chambers, chief executive. ... snip....
While ADI has its own fab's for some of its "speciality" analog parts, it has deals with TSMC "which ensures that TSMC will continue to be our principal external foundry in supplying the volumes of wafers needed to meet future customer demand." (1998 Annual Report, pg 11).
I have found that some of ADI's part are just not available anymore, at least not in resonable time frames. My company tried to buy some Quad D-to-A converters -- how about delivery date of Feb. 2001!!! Ouch. Parts are really tight. I would not be surprised if Jerry made this known and the stock took a hit.
Jim |
