Taiwanese Acer Celebrates Reducing Global Chip Deficit
The global chip shortage for mid-range consumer products is starting to decrease and things will get much better in the second half of the year, ”said Acer Inc., the world's fifth largest personal computer supplier, Chief Executive Officer.
The scarcity of computer chips has already affected all industries, causing the greatest damage to automakers. While this shortage was originally concentrated in the automotive industry, it has now spread to consumer electronics manufacturers, including smartphones, refrigerators and microwaves.
Andrew Howe, Acer's President of Asia Pacific Operations, told reporters in Taipei that since the issue first became apparent in the fourth quarter of last year, the supply chain has “kicked in” as vendors worked to fix the situation. ...
The scarcity is being driven by a confluence of factors as automakers, which closed factories during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, compete with the sprawling consumer electronics industry for chip supplies.
During the pandemic, consumers stockpiled laptops, game consoles and other electronic goods, leading to a reduction in inventory. They also bought more vehicles than the industry expected last spring, making supplies even more difficult.
Hou said sales in his region, with the exception of China, are skyrocketing as companies and governments actively purchase laptop computers to help people learn and work from home.