The ongoing global semiconductor shortage is getting worse at the worst possible time – when consumer demand for electronics and automobiles are at an all time high. Even while semiconductor manufacturers work to increase production, soaring demand for electronic devices will continue to outpace the supply of the chips used to bring them to life.
And experts say the crisis isn’t going to end anytime soon.
Great news! Area51 Electronics was ranked #27 in the Electronics Sourcing Top 50 North America Authorized Distributors 2021 Report (up from #32 in 2019). Area51 Electronics was also ranked #1 in the list of Top 10 Distributors by Sales Growth. Despite the challenges of 2020, we are forever grateful for all the hard work and tireless support of our amazing team, customers and suppliers. Thank you all for making a difference!
Your chance of unknowingly purchasing a counterfeit electronic component increases by 25% annually, according to IHS Markit, a source for engineering specifications, standards, manuals and technical publications. Exacerbating that trend is that in 2019, 66.91% of parts reported to be nonconforming, suspect counterfeit, or counterfeit were sold by companies not located in China, stated the ERAI Inc., a global information services organization that monitors, investigates and reports issues affecting the global electronics supply chain.
This percentage is alarming because it bolsters the awareness that more mitigation is needed. Simply avoiding open-market parts from China-based companies or certain supply regions as a way to avoid suspect/counterfeit parts is not a viable strategy. With spurious components flooding the supply chain, how can you determine if an electronic part is authentic or not? What should you do?
So you’ve got an old electronic, obsolete part or device. What should you do? Is it safe to recycle?
The global supply chain hit another snag. This time, in the form of a large container ship named Ever Given. The vessel recently ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the world’s busiest trade routes connecting Europe and Asia – causing a logjam of hundreds of cargo ships. Roughly $9.6 billion worth of goods pass through the canal every day, according to a recent AP article citing an estimate from shipping journal, Lloyd’s List.
Counterfeit electronic parts are bad. Bad for business. Bad for your brand. Bad for humankind. Counterfeit parts can wreck havoc into your operations, in the form of increased financial costs, damage to your brand, and revenue loss. In addition, counterfeit parts can cause product malfunction or total failure – which at worse, poses serious risk to people and could lead to injury or even death.
And an increasing amount of counterfeit parts are entering the supply chain.
Who knew that such a tiny chip could make a huge difference? President Joe Biden knows. Holding a semiconductor chip in his hand during a recent press conference, the President marveled at how something so little could have such a big impact on businesses and the economy.
P-DUKE launched new 40-65W encapsulated AC/DC power supplies that can be used for industrial (TSD) and medical (MSD) applications. The encapsulated-type packaging protects the electronic parts from environmental contamination – increasing the durability of the product. According to the system requirements, there are thru-hole, wall mount, and din-rail type for choosing.
You’ve just acquired an electronic chip. At first glance, it looks like the real deal. But to the properly trained eye, there is something off with the product. The fonts are different, the surface looks like it was coated with polymer, and the wiring is inconsistent. Chances are you’ve acquired a suspect counterfeit part.
The New Year is here. But it’s never too late to build up your inventory, given the recent pandemic-driven component shortages. Finding the right distributor for your business is critical to building long-term resilience and success. With so many options and choices – from authorized to independent electronic part distributors – the decision can be a tough one.
When narrowing your search, it’s important to keep in mind that the relationship you have with your distributor should be symbiotic – one where your principles and values are shared and supported. This will create a stress-free, productive and profitable environment, and ultimately help your business thrive.
So what qualities should you look for when selecting a distributor? Here are the top four qualities to look for.
