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| MacBook and iPad production delayed due to supply crunch |
Nikkei Asian Review has learned that production of some Macbooks and iPads has been delayed due to a global shortage of parts. This demonstrates that while Apple has enormous purchasing power, it is not immune to an unprecedented drop in supply.
The lack of chips delayed the main stage of MacBook production: assembling components on the circuit board before final assembly.
Meanwhile, due to a shortage of screens and display components, some iPad components have been relocated.
Due to the delay, Apple has moved some component orders for these two devices from the first half of this year to the second half of this year.
The delay indicates that the chip shortage issue is getting worse and could further affect small tech companies.
Apple is known for its expertise in operating one of the world's most complex supply chains and for rapidly engaging suppliers.
This helped the company address a global shortage of parts and components that was already putting pressure on auto and electronics manufacturers.
Although some hardware components are scarce, the iPhone production schedule has not been affected by supply shortages.
A shortage of parts remains an issue in Apple's supply chain and has so far had no impact on the availability of products to consumers.
Apple sells about 200 million iPhones, more than 20 million MacBooks, 19 million iPads, and more than 70 million AirPod pairs each year.
These devices are among the top 5 in the world in consumer electronics, making the company one of the most powerful buying powers in the world.
Apple is the fourth largest laptop manufacturer in the world with a 7.6% market share after Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and Dell in 2020.
Meanwhile, iPad is clearly the leader in the tablet market with a share of 32.5% last year, followed by Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo and Amazon.
The fact that the supply crisis has spread to MacBooks and iPads shows that a lack of components remains a serious problem that could mean a bigger blow to tech companies with more bargaining power and less market experience. Supply Chain Management as an American company.
This year, demand for computers remains high due to the continued growth of the family economy due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
After growing about 13% last year, the global PC market is expected to grow by more than 18% this year.
The United States, Japan and Germany have urged Taiwan and South Korea to help them prioritize chips for the automotive industry, which is vital to the global economy.
This reduces semiconductor production for consumer electronics and computer products.