EsLaptop computer manufacturer Acer is feeling “growing pressure because of component shortages” according to CEO Jason Chen, Nikkei reports. The firm is experiencing a “crowding-out effect” due to increased semiconductor demand from automakers – as discussed in Panjiva’s research of March 5 – as well as video game console manufacturers. Chen has noted though that the shortages are not in processors but rather “companion chips that are only worth 80 cents or even 50 cents per unit“.
There’s little sign of Acer suffering a loss of production linked to the shortages however. Panjiva’s data shows that U.S. seaborne imports linked to the firm rose by 232.6% year over year in January and February combined, following a 123.9% rise in Q4’20.
Some caution is needed with comparisons given the variation of the lunar new year and start of pandemic-related disruptions in February 2020, though imports in January and February 2021 combined were still 84.4% higher than the same period of 2019.
Source: Panjiva
U.S. seaborne imports of computers more broadly climbed by 106.4% in January and February combined, Panjiva’s data shows. Aside from a 117.4% rise in imports linked to Acer there was also a 147.7% rise in imports linked to Lenovo while shipments associated with Dell and HP Inc. rose by 76.3% and 93.2% respectively. Again, some caution is needed with regards to 2020 figures, with shipments linked to Dell, HP and Lenovo all actually lower in January and February 2021 than the same period of 2019.
Source: Panjiva
