Leadtimes are mixed
Staff -- Purchasing, 10/21/2004 2:00:00 AM
Electronic component leadtimes have been volatile over the past three months with delivery times fluctuating dramatically.
For instance leadtimes for 16-bit microprocessors doubled from 5.9 weeks in August to 12 weeks in September. Other leadtimes that increased significantly were 16 megabit DRAMs which stretched from 6.2 weeks in August to 11.4 weeks in September and bipolar logic which moved out from 6.5 weeks to 10.9 weeks.
In total, 22 of 41 leadtimes tracked each month by PURCHASING magazine stretched in September from August.
Meanwhile, the average leadtime for wire-wound resistors dropped from 8.1 weeks in August to 3.5 weeks in September. In addition, nickel metal hydride battery leadtimes fell from 7.3 weeks to 4.1 weeks and carbon film resistors dropped from 5.9 weeks to 2.9 weeks.
Leadtimes for many components will stretch for the rest of the year because of increased demand. In the first quarter of 2005, leadtimes will roll back.
Leadtimes for double data rate (DDR) DRAM could be volatile for the rest of the year. DRAM technology is moving towards DDR2 architecture from DDR1. If PC manufacturers decide to ship significantly more systems equipped with DDR2 DRAMs, it will cause leadtimes to stretch because DDR2 production is still ramping up. However, if DDR2 demand is stronger than expected, leadtimes for DDR1 chips will contract. The issue will likely resolve itself in 2005 as DRAM manufacturers will have a better handle on DDR2 demand.
Buyers should also keep an eye on NAND flash memory. More NAND capacity is coming on line, which should cause leadtimes to fall back.
Resistor prices falls as demand declines
10/01/2009Leadtimes stretch
10/19/2005Leadtimes are mixed
12/07/2005
Now Playing: 