Posts by Nate Larson

By Rob RangelGlobal electronics markets are experiencing increasing lead times and prices for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) due to rising demand in AI infrastructure and electric vehicle electronics, along with higher raw material costs and dedicated factory capacity shifts. These overlapping market forces have tightened passive component inventories, compelling OEMs and CMs to adjust to…

By Rob RangelOn July 28, 2026, when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, procurement teams around the world immediately raised the same question: Is TSMC’s new fab okay? The response was prompt and reassuring: TSMC’s Japanese subsidiary, JASM, sustained no structural damage, evacuated without issues, and began a phased restart just about right away…

By Rob RangelToday’s electronic components market is characterized by constant volatility, making it the norm rather than the exception. Engineering and procurement teams continuously deal with constraints across various component categories, influenced by shifting geopolitical trade policies and unpredictable lead times. The impact is tangible: in late 2025, a governance dispute involving Dutch chipmaker Nexperia…

By Rob RangelThe worldwide semiconductor industry is experiencing its most significant structural change since the start of the silicon era. The main driver is the surging need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, causing a severe AI memory shortage worldwide. In response to the high wafer requirements of leading technology companies, many integrated device manufacturers (IDMs)…

By Rob RangelAs 2026 unfolds, the electronics manufacturing industry continues to grapple with a familiar yet intensifying challenge: extreme market volatility. Notably, the memory semiconductor sector has experienced extraordinary fluctuations, with NAND Flash prices jumping more than 55% in Q1. For teams aiming to secure their Bill of Materials (BOM) and keep production on track,…

By Rob RangelIn the dynamic and unpredictable electronics manufacturing landscape, industry headlines today become the operational realities of tomorrow. For OEM Product Directors managing large portfolios, Program Managers overseeing complex NPI processes, and Purchasing Managers handling daily procurement, the global semiconductor supply chain remains a constant strategic concern. Operating in such a high-stakes environment, a…

By Rob RangelThe global electronics supply chain is currently navigating an incredibly volatile environment, and the 2026 memory market has entered a phase characterized by severe constraints and unprecedented price escalations. For purchasing managers, operations leaders, and OEM product directors, securing reliable inventory and protecting product margins are no longer just quarterly objectives—they are critical…

By Rob RangelThe global electronics supply chain is always changing, facing various macroeconomic challenges. But as the year progresses, a new and more serious crisis has appeared, potentially disrupting production globally: the 2026 Helium Shortage. Although the industry has dealt with silicon wafer shortages, shipping delays, and factory closures before, the shortage of industrial helium…