Russia Bans Export of Neon Gas – Essential Element in Electronics Chip Manufacturing
In the ongoing retaliatory back-and-forth between Russia and the rest of the world on trade, Russia has issued the latest offensive by banning inert noble gases like helium and neon from being exported. Russia and Ukraine Own 80% of Global Neon Supply Russia and Ukraine…
Industry News | Regulation and Compliance updates | Supply Chain
3M Factory Shutdown Could Rock Global Electronics Market
Chipmakers use a semiconductor-grade PFAS as a coolant during chip etching – and 80% of that came from a single 3M plant in Belgium. May 11, 2022 – Global chipmakers are facing a major issue with the shutdown of a 3M Company factory that produces…
COVID-19 Impact Updates | Event | Industry News | Supply Chain
List of China’s Factories Impacted By COVID-19 Surge
April 21, 2022 – Global concern continues to mount as COVID-19 spreads across China and city lockdowns shutdown factories. Production out of China has come grinding to a halt. Due to China’s Zero-COVID policy, factories and manufacturing hubs have been shut down, stranding ships in port…
Event | Industry News | Supply Chain | Ukraine/Russia Conflict
Russian Technology Sector Targeted by US Sanctions
April 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Treasury recently issued a new round of sanctions on the Russian Federation in response to its invasion of Ukraine, this time targeting the Russian technology sector. This new round of sanctions targets 21 business entities and 13…
One Missing Piece Can Ruin Your Design:
Avoid Costly Redesigns due to Obsolescence
Electronics design engineers would be thrown into despair if their complex, masterpiece design was foiled by a single missing piece such as an obsolete component. How Obsolescence Can Ruin Product Design Imagine the following scenario. You’re a lead design engineer creating an instrument panel for…
COVID-19 Impact Updates | Event | Industry News
China’s Zero Covid Policy Continues to Impact Manufacturing
March 24, 2022 – China’s zero-COVID policy is continuing to have a substantial impact on the production efforts of key manufacturers in the general electronics and automotive part industries. This policy has forced shutdowns in the critical manufacturing hubs of Shenzhen and Changchun. On top…
Intel to Acquire Tower Semiconductor for $5.4 Billion
March 7, 2022 – Intel Corporation has announced its acquisition of Tower Semiconductor, a leading foundry for analog semiconductor solutions, for $53 per share in cash. This acquisition represents a total enterprise value of approximately $5.4 billion. With an unprecedented global shortage across the chipmaking…
Event | Industry News | Ukraine/Russia Conflict
Ukraine Invasion Impact Summary
February 24, 2022 – This morning Russian military forces began their invasion of Ukraine with a combined land, air, and sea assault. This is serving up to be one of the largest invasions since WWII. As a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global stock markets have…
COVID-19 Impact Updates | Event | Supply Chain
Chinese Industrial Hub Shutdown due to COVID-19 Concerns
February 24, 2022 – In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, a strict lockdown has been imposed in the Chinese city of Suzhou. Suzhou is a technological hub and key manufacturing location for semiconductors. Home to manufacturing facilities for several global firms including Samsung, Bosch, Eli…
Power Shortages Forced China Factories to Halt Production
Power outages in China have put millions of homes into darkness and temporarily shut down factories. The Chinese government has also temporarily shut down power to several major semiconductor foundries with intention to regularly suspend industrial electricity supplies. These measures are being imposed as a…