Analysis
Digital skills shortfall the biggest business challenge
Almost two-thirds (65%) of businesses see a digital skills shortfall as one of the most significant challenges facing their company in 2021. This is according to new research from the FTSE 250 professional services firm, FDM Group.
Real time data is the key to driving innovation
Analog Devices has announced a newly commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Analog Devices, that shows that industrial manufacturers who have made investments in connectivity technologies ('high maturity') are better positioned to drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage compared to firms that have been slower to implement connectivity ('low maturity') across the factory floor.
Semiconductor units to exceed one trillion again in 2021
Total semiconductor unit shipments, which include integrated circuits as well as optoelectronics, sensor/actuator, and discrete (O-S-D) devices, are forecast to rise 13% in 2021, to 1,135.3 billion (1.1353 trillion) units to set a new all-time annual record, based on data presented in the 2021 edition of IC Insights’ McClean Report—A Complete Analysis and Forecast of the Integrated Circuit Industry, which was released in January 2021....
Optoelectronics, sensors, and discretes gain momentum
A broad-based economic rebound in 2021, fuelled by pent-up demand and a steady recovery in global commerce after the 2020 outbreak of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, is forecast to lift total sales in optoelectronics, sensors and actuators, and discrete semiconductors (O-S-D) by 13% to $99.4bn this year, according to IC Insights’ new 2021 O-S-D Report - A Market Analysis and Forecast for Optoelectronics, Sensors/Actuators, and Discretes.
Stress testing the global electronic components supply network
The responses from commercial organisations and governments following the COVID-19 pandemic and the current levels of vaccination scepticism on the part of our European neighbours has been met with a curious mixture of relief and concern from many people for whom the ultimate outcome could be critical. Even after the UK rollout of the various inoculations many people will still fall ill and some will unfortunately die. This puts the loss of ...
Will industrial robot sales recover in 2021?
Recovery in automotive industry and sustained momentum from food sector will be key to industrial robots recovery in 2021, a new edition of the report on Industrial Robots by an ESOMAR-certified marker research and consulting firm has found. According to the study, demand for industrial robots witnessed a deceleration in 2020, however, as economic recovery has commenced, manufacturers can look forward to opportunities to emerge.
Shortages weigh on industry buoyancy
“Water, water everywhere nor a drop to drink.” Distributors must know how the Ancient Mariner felt. They are buoyant on an ocean of orders; it’s sourcing the product to slake the thirst of their customers that’s the problem.
Molex unveils results of global ‘State of 5G’ survey
Molex has released results of a global survey of decision makers from telecom carriers exploring the 'state of 5G' and the significant transformational opportunities it presents, along with its impact on deployment progress, current delivery challenges and emerging business prospects. Overall, carriers are optimistic: more than half of those surveyed expect to deliver substantial end-user benefits within two to five years while 47% reported that ...
Electronic components distributor Q4‘20 performance
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on the European Distributor Total Available Market (DTAM) in Q4’20. Consolidated returns from member companies in the International Distributors of Electronics Association (IDEA) reveal that average European ‘bookings’ improved significantly in Q4’20 when compared to the previous quarter but ‘billings’ continued to slide in the period.
Opportunities for additively manufactured electronics
Additively manufactured electronics is an emerging approach that takes printed electronics into the third dimension. Printing both structural material and conductive traces offers benefits that include extensive design freedom, rapid development iterations, and more compact devices.