Supply Chain

Lexus vehicles are assembled at Toyota's Miyata plant in Fukuoka Prefecture, in southern Japan. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Automobiles

Toyota halts lines at 4 Japan plants due to supply chain woes

Fresh stoppages to affect 5,500 vehicles as well as Lexus factories

10 December 2021
A Toyota assembly plant in Zarate, Argentina, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Strains on global supply chains have cost the auto industry the ability to produce several million vehicles this year.
Business Spotlight

Automakers hit limits of 'just-in-time' supply chain management

Shortages and rising costs prompt overhaul procurement practices

10 December 2021
Pandemic lockdowns, energy restrictions and chip shortages across Asia have led to an ongoing supply chain crisis, causing delivery delays for many electronic gifts this festive season.
The Big Story

Apple's nightmare before Christmas: Supply chain crisis delays gift deliveries

Two years of lockdowns, chip shortages, and energy cuts have finally caught up with the iPhone maker

8 December 2021
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger discusses the latest in the tech industry at Fortune Brainstorm Tech on Dec. 1 in Half Moon Bay, California. (Photo courtesy of Future Brainstorm Tech)
Semiconductors

U.S. priority should be American chipmakers, not TSMC: Intel chief

Washington needs to invest more in domestic companies, Gelsinger says

2 December 2021
The global chip shortage that emerged in late 2020 has sparked unprecedented demand for the type of components made by smaller players in the tech supply chain.
Supply Chain

Chip shortage helps hidden gems in supply chain to shine

Niche chipmaker earnings and valuations jump as investors realize their importance

1 December 2021
Samsung's quantum dot displays are designed to express vibrant color by passing blue light through a layer of tiny semiconductor crystals. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics)
Electronics

Samsung challenges LG's OLED TV lead with shift to mass production

South Korean competition seen driving down prices as Chinese catch up

1 December 2021
A Renesas chip is one of the components on this circuit board for automobiles. (Photo by Hideaki Ryugen)
Semiconductors

Auto chip shortage shows new sign of easing as inventories rise

Renesas and other suppliers see 1st uptick in 9 months, but demand remains high

30 November 2021
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. this month said it will build a new factory in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung.
Semiconductors

Taiwan chip production on track for record in 2021, even bigger 2022

Taipei and TSMC urge Japanese investment in island's semiconductor supply chain

26 November 2021
Xiaomi, the world's No. 3 smartphone maker by shipments, says the global chip shortage is impacting its shipments.
China tech

China's Xiaomi says chip crunch curbing smartphone shipments

World's No. 3 player to miss internal target by up to 20m units

23 November 2021
The Japanese government has made plans to ensure a stable domestic supply of microchips. (Photo courtesy of TSMC)
Semiconductors

Japan allocates $5.2bn to fund chip plants by TSMC and others

Micron and Kioxia set to get subsidies for domestic memory chip factories

23 November 2021
Samsung Electronics is betting big on cutting-edge chip technology, but experts say it will have trouble catching up with Taiwanese rival TSMC. (Source photos by Reuters and courtesy of Samsung) 
Technology

Samsung to build U.S. chip plant amid global supply crunch

South Korean tech giant's board to host meeting to approve $17bn deal

23 November 2021
Sony has stopped taking orders for some digital cameras because of a semiconductor shortage.
Electronics

Gripped by chip shortage, Sony halts some digital camera orders

Other camera makers also struggle as critical holiday shopping season nears

23 November 2021
Despite shipping its iPads and iPhones by air, Apple will not be able to get them to many Asian consumers in time for Christmas.
Technology

Apple's Christmas sales in Asia at risk from global supply crunch

Delivery times for iPads and iPhones lengthen as holiday shopping season arrives

22 November 2021
Foxconn bucked the declining earnings trend among contract electronics assemblers in the July to September period, reporting a net profit of $1.32 billion on Nov. 12
Technology

Foxconn 'cautious' on 2022 outlook as global chip crunch lingers

Key iPhone assembler buck industry trend to log record Q3 earnings

12 November 2021
A Renesas Electronics plant in China: The Japanese chipmaker left out detailed customer data from its disclosure to the U.S. Commerce Department.
Semiconductors

Samsung, Renesas partially meet U.S. call for chip supply chain data

More Asian chipmakers join TSMC in keeping detailed client info under wraps

10 November 2021
TSMC's Japan plant will be the Taiwanese chipmaker's third major overseas facility after one in China and another being built in the U.S. (Source photo by AP and Reuters)
Semiconductors

TSMC says it will build first Japan chip plant with Sony

Taiwanese chip group aims to begin mass production by 2024

9 November 2021
U.S. President Joe Biden holds a chip before signing an executive order addressing the semiconductor crunch. The order includes a request for chipmakers to disclose supply chain information.
Semiconductors

South Korea chipmakers grapple with U.S. deadline for supply chain data

Samsung and SK Hynix fear risk to client info as they prepare response by Nov. 8

2 November 2021
Sandra Oudkirk, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, says the U.S. recognizes the critical role that Taiwan plays in global supply chains.
Trade war

Top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan stresses supply chain cooperation

Head of de facto embassy repeats 'rock solid' support amid China tensions

29 October 2021
Apple started shipping the iPhone 13 on Sept. 24. (Photo courtesy of Apple) 
Technology

Apple warns of more supply chain woes after $6bn revenue hit

Sales miss Wall Street forecasts despite 83% jump in China

29 October 2021
Washington is campaigning to bring more chip production onto American soil, amid concern about an overreliance on Taiwan.
Semiconductors

TSMC founder chides U.S. plan for full chip supply chain onshore

Chang calls domestic push unfeasible, with $52bn in subsidies far too little

27 October 2021
Micron says it wants to highlight the importance of memory chips as a growing part of the semiconductor ecosystem.
Semiconductors

U.S. chipmaker Micron 'in talks' to expand in Japan and Taiwan

U.S., Europe, Singapore also in discussions, company will avoid oversupply: executive

21 October 2021
U.S. memory chip maker Micron has unveiled a decade-long $150 billion expansion plan as governments around the world vie for semiconductor investment.
Semiconductors

U.S. chipmaker Micron unveils $150bn global expansion plan

Memory maker says it is in talks with 'governments in several countries'

20 October 2021
Smartphone acoustic component maker AAC spooked investors with a sharp drop in quarterly profit announced Oct. 7. (Source photos by Reuters and AAC website)
Technology

Apple supplier AAC's Q3 profit halved amid supply chain chaos

Acoustic component maker cites disruption in China as factor in plunge

8 October 2021
Uncertainty over energy supplies in China is causing tech manufacturers to revisit their plans for production diversification. (Source photo by Reuters)
China tech

China power outages spur new wave of supply chain shifts

Apple suppliers and others look overseas to reduce risks of 'overcentralization'

8 October 2021
Garment factory workers return to the job after COVID-related restrictions were lifted in Vietnam on Oct. 1.
Companies

Vietnam's COVID-battered supply chains on shaky road to recovery

Factories reopen but labor exodus and lockdown risks keep suppliers on edge

7 October 2021