Product Update - Components and Prices

Posted by Laura B
December 14, 2021

2021 has been a strange year for the embedded computer industry. The renewed confidence in the UK technology market meant that industry demand for products and services increased rapidly, and while this kind of growth is extremely welcome after the nightmare that was 2020, it also kicked off a trend whereby the demand outpaced the supply for both bare PCB fabrication and electronic components, as well as for physically available manpower.

Despite best efforts, the challenges facing the supply chain have developed even further than expected in the second half of this year. The supply of embedded boards and system elements has been hit hard, with lead times for components increasing by more than 30 weeks in some cases. As a direct result of these shortages component prices have also increased, some to the point where building boards is just not feasible.

In order to address the situation a number of steps have been taken by our suppliers, including pricing adjustments, product being put on allocation, and an almost complete hiatus on holding stock.

While we’re monitoring the situation closely, we’re asking customers to help us to manage their future requirements and avoid lead time issues by reviewing their forecast and placing purchase orders as far in advance as possible. Scheduled deliveries, stock holding and budgetary invoicing are all available to help you manage your own supply chain.

By letting us know what you think you’re going to need over the next 12 months, or even better placing a scheduled order for requirements out to 2023, we can support your projects more efficiently by mitigating against the extensive lead times and increasing costs, as well as protecting your schedule.