ELECTRONICS MARKET NEWS W17.2024

1. Farnell continues to expand the passive components market

Electronic components distributor Farnell Electronics has significantly expanded its inventory of passive components, according to the report, as suppliers warn of supply challenges across Europe in the first half of the year. The report said that Farnell has added passive component lines from Yageo, Kemet, Murata, Wurth Electronik and Panasonic to expand its product portfolio and warn of potential shortages.

With the growing popularity of consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and industrial automation, the passive components market is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.

Farnell DACH and Eastern Europe Sales Director Juergen Ruben said: “Farnell is well aware of the changing market needs and the need to stay ahead of trends. As the number of applications requiring passive components continues to grow, including industrial IoT, robotics, electric vehicles and chargers, wearables, and more, the product range is expanding, and the product pipeline is strong Our strengths help meet future demands for smaller, higher-performance devices. We know the market is changing rapidly and we are ready to meet the challenges with our expertise and commitment to service quality.”

Learn more: Farnell continues to expand the passive components market.

2. Intel confirms layoffs of marketing and sales departments

On April 4, Intel confirmed that to continue achieving its corporate strategy, the company will adjust the organizational structure of its marketing and sales departments as well as lay off employees. The layoffs are part of a $10 billion spending cut plan announced by Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger in October 2022 over the next three years to meet slowing demand.

Intel did not disclose the number of layoffs. However, according to information required to be disclosed under California law, where Intel is headquartered, the number of affected employees will reach 50 or more within 30 days.

An Intel representative said: “We are confident in Intel’s future and are committed to supporting all employees through this process, including treating affected employees with dignity and respect. important”.

While Intel made the decision to lay off employees in its marketing and sales departments, it also announced a new financial reporting structure, separating its chip design business from its chip manufacturing business. and the chip foundry business is accounted for independently to better compete with Samsung and TSMC.

Learn more: Intel confirms layoffs of marketing and sales departments.

3. Sony opens a new image sensor factory in Thailand

Sony Corporation recently announced that a new semiconductor factory in Thailand began operations in February to ramp up production of image sensors for advanced driver assistance systems that detect pedestrians. and obstacles.

According to previous reports, Sony has invested about 10 billion USD to expand a new factory at an existing factory in Pathum Thani province, central Thailand. Sony’s new factory has expanded production scale by 70%. Following the expansion, the company expects to create 2,000 new jobs by 2026, 20% of which will be engineers. “We expect strong, long-term growth and will produce highly competitive products such as vehicle image sensors,” said Terushi Shimizu, president of Sony’s Semiconductor Solutions Group.

Advances in the field of automated driving are expected to increase demand for Sony Corporation’s high-performance image sensors. The group aims to achieve a 39% market share in the sector by fiscal 2025, up 14% from current levels.