Pandemic aggravates semiconductors shortage in Southeast Asia
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shortage of semiconductors globally, accelerated by the increase in remote working and schooling arrangements, remote monitoring of factories and manufacturing plants, and demand for smart devices and equipment. September 23, 2021 | Jeff Villapando
The surge of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, a critical link in the semiconductor supply chain, has opened a new front in the battle to fix manufacturing woes that have rippled across industries during a global shortage of computing chips. The Southeast Asia region is one of the world’s top destinations for assembly and testing of the devices that control smartphones, car engines, medical equipment, and more. Disruptions in the region threaten to prolong the uncertainty over chip supply well into the next year. Demand for semiconductors in Southeast Asia is increasing because of the pandemic The chip shortage in Southeast Asia has been worsened by the pandemic. Digitalisation is accelerating during the pandemic due to the increase in remote working and schooling arrangements, remote monitoring of factories and manufacturing plants, and demand for smart devices and equipment. Furthermore, during the pandemic, consumers have moved towards online channels, and companies and industries have responded in turn. The monitoring of the virus has also increased the demands for CPUs and computers by governments and organisations. The situation on the ground remains volatile. Factories have to pause production if there are workers infected by COVID-19. The Delta variant is also proving particularly infectious and difficult to contain. In August 2021, Toyota Motor suspended production at 14 plants because suppliers of semiconductors, particularly in Southeast Asia, have been hit by new COVID-19 infections and lockdowns. It is a domino effect whereby a worker infected by the virus leads to the suspension of production in the factory that manufactures semiconduct... Please login to read the complete article. If you already have an account, you can login now or subscribe/register.
Categories: Keywords: |