Gina Roos
Editor
gina.roos@
electronics-sourcing.com
Risky business
Thismonth's DRAMarticle brings attention to the risk of buying on speculation or stocking up onmemory devices because pricing is so low. Yes, DRAMpricing is likely to have reached rock bottomor is very close to it so now would seemlike a good time to stock up on DRAMs, right? The thought is when demand rises again, OEMs will have the supply they need.
But there is always the risk that you'll be stuck withmemory devices that you
can't use for two key reasons: demand never recovered and new systems have been designed with newer components.
So caution is the word for thismonth.While gobbling up all the parts that you
can because prices are so lowmay seemlike a tempting idea, purchasers should be practicing good sourcing strategies such as forming long-termpartnerships with their suppliers to ensure a stable supply, and keeping an eye on production capacity plans so you don't get caught short. As one leading chipmaker recently toldme "leaders understand the importance of long-termrelationships."
On the flip side, if supply tightens, and there are shortages or even allocations,
and you need to go into the openmarket, independents distributors can help ensure that your lines don't go
down.Many independents report that their sales grew 20 to 30 percent last year asmany OEMs and EMS providers scrambled to find components. Those hit the hardest included capacitors, resistors, transistors,MOSFETS and diodes. Turn to pages 34-37 to find out how independents can help you out of a supply jam.
If you have any comments, questions, or story ideas, please sendme an e-mail. I can also be reached at 207-989-2368.
How to contact Electronics Sourcing North America:
EDITORIAL Editor - North America: Gina Roos
gina.roos@
electronics-sourcing.com Editor - Europe: Jon Barrett
jonb@electronics-sourcing.com
ADVERTISING Group AdvertisementManager: KateMustill
kate.mustill@
electronics-sourcing.com National Advertising SalesManager LowellMalles
lowell.malles@
electronics-sourcing.com ProductionManager: Beth Nelson
beth.nelson@
electronics-sourcing.com
DESIGN Editorial Production: Scott Pollard
design@electronics-sourcing.com Web Designer: Gemma Allard
webmaster@electronics-sourcing.com
CIRCULATION CirculationManager: Vicky Leary
vicky.leary@electronics-sourcing.com Circulation Assistant: Liz Poole
liz.poole@electronics-sourcing.com
PUBLISHER Mark Leary
mark.leary@electronics-sourcing.com
Published 12 times per year byMMG Publishing US LLP
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: 12 x Editions - total cost $250
MMG PUBLISHING US LLP Normandale Lake Center 8400 Normandale Lake Boulevard Suite 920 BloomingtonMN 55437
Tel: 866.364.0951 Fax: 952.378.2770
Printed in the United States ©2011MMG Publishing US LLP
Articles appearing in thismagazine do not necessarily express the views of the Editor or the publishers. Every effort ismade to ensure the accuracy of information published. No legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising fromarticles / information contained and published. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or stored in a retrieval systemor transmitted in any formwithout the written consent of the publishers.
Sourcing ELECTRONICS PUBLISHING March 2011 | 3 30
Medical Electronics Medical start-up reaps benefits from PLMsystem
34
Independent distributors Component shortages drive growth
41
What's New Spacing-saving components
Capacitors Shortages ease
26
EMS Why geopolitical issuesmatter
DRAMs It's a buyer'smarket
Contents March 2011 Vol 2No.3 6
News High chip inventories
16 22
US LLP
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52