An automation cell is not one product. It is five, six, sometimes eight distinct components sourced from different manufacturers in different countries, integrated on a factory floor, and validated as a single functional unit. A robot arm from Fanuc …
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Semiconductors, Components
Tariff stacking inside automation cells: when six HTS codes from four countries build one work station
Section 301 tariffs on robotics: complete Chinese systems vs. component-level duty exposure
Chinese robotics manufacturers are selling six-axis articulated arms at 30-50% below comparable Japanese and European systems. Companies like Estun, STEP Electric, and EFORT have closed the performance gap enough to win evaluations at price-sensitive OEMs and contract manufacturers – …
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Section 301 tariffs on semiconductors: why country of origin follows the package, not the design
A 25% tariff on every integrated circuit imported from China sounds straightforward until you realize how many US-designed chips qualify as Chinese-origin under current trade rules. For fabless semiconductor companies – and for the OEMs buying their products – the …
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Semiconductor duty stacking: tracking tariff exposure when your chip crosses four borders
A single integrated circuit can cross four national borders between wafer start and delivery to your dock. Each crossing involves a different manufacturing stage, a different HTS classification, and potentially a different duty rate. For procurement teams managing semiconductor BOMs …
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Rethinking EDA tools, search engines, distributors to unlock value in electronic product BoMs
Some contract EMS manufacturing companies with deeper engineering and technology expertise are going direct to semiconductor chip manufacturers for their OEM customer programs, and bypassing electronics components distributors altogether. These side deals disrupt industrial search engines and OEM customers …
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BOM scrubbing and evolution of the semiconductor distribution supply chain
From non-OEM components manufacturing to product finished goods inventory, every electronics manufacturer experiences BOM scrubbing problems. Whether OEM brand owners or, contract EMS providers, problems associated with optimizing BOMs or eBOMs exist on both ends when trying to integrate …
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Malaysia semiconductor supply chain manufacturing expanding
Malaysia’s leadership is attracting renewed interest in chipsets and semiconductor manufacturing. Ng Kok Tiong, a senior vice president with Infineon, and chairman of the Semiconductor Fabrication Association of Malaysia, says Infineon is in the “process of building a $7 billion …
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The Economic Times – The Morning Brief: Mark Zetter talks Apple, India, and China
Venture Outsource LLC management consultant Mark Zetter has been working with India’s electronics industry and Indian companies offering contract electronics services and design manufacturing (ESDM) services in India since 2002. In May of 2023 on a podcast produced by ‘The …
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The great shift: Apple’s exodus from China to India – Unveiling complexities of contract electronics manufacturing sourcing
Apple’s ambitious shift from China to India sparks a journey into complexities of contract electronics manufacturing. Explore challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this groundbreaking endeavor.
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Acquiring success: The latest trends in contract electronics mergers and acquisitions
Many contract manufacturers in the hyper-competitive middle market contract electronics industry continue to face increasing pressures on various fronts. Whether from problems associated with finding customers, followed by challenges retaining and growing those customer programs (most top-line industry growth is …
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