Disk Drive Sector Discussion Forum Message Board

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Technology Stocks : Disk Drive Sector Discussion Forum

WDC 172.26

-2.2%

Dec 31 3:59 PM EST

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To: Tom Simpson who wrote (8542)	8/9/2000 10:18:18 PM
From: Stitch	Read Replies (1) of 9256

Tom, <<The more critical question I have is how well they are currently competing with TDK? These latest programs they seem to have picked up....is that because they were actually better or is that because the drivemakers are doing their bit to preserve diversity?>> I think it has to do with a number of things Tom. Every drive company has stepped up their supply chain management focus. I think the issues revolve around not only preserving diversity or picking the best of class head performance on a given program, but also geographic/transportation issues, JIT performance (first to supply, first-to-volume, first-to-quality), cooperation and support during development and start-up, etc. All these things are weighed I suspect so that I have to conclude that RDRT has improved enough to earn the recent quals they have announced. This is all about battling Alps for the number two independent position. SAE/TDK still have the number one position in terms of volume and likely will not be challenged until the number two position battle is won. One of the rumors that floated around recently was that RDRT and ALPS were talking. That made perfect sense to me. The combine could be in a position to challenge TDK's hegemony. Furthermore it would allow the combine to split up the lines of demarcation between Japan and the US which are still so prevalent. (For example, to my knowledge RDRT has never shipped heads in any great quantity to MKE(QNTM-HDD) or Fujitsu, or any other Japanese maker). By the same token I do not think ALPS has a large position at Maxtor or WDC either. I have no idea whether there is any truth to the rumor however. Many thanks for your explanation of the optical filters in DWDM, it was helpful. Best, Stitch

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