Navigating the Shifting Landscape: Supply Chain, A.I., Automotive, and Interconnect Trends

In this ever-changing landscape, staying informed and adaptable is crucial for success in the electronic component industry. Our recent webinar on July 19^th, 2023, featuring Dennis Reed, Sr. Research Analyst, Technology, as the main presenter and Daniel Schoenfelder, head of Octopart, provided valuable insights into the current trends and challenges in the industry.

Here's a brief recap of the key points discussed:

• Economic Shifts: The industry has shifted from "just-in-case" inventory management to "just-on-time" and now faces the challenge of "just-too-much" inventory. According to data from Octopart, inventory levels have risen dramatically over the last 18 months across various categories of electronic components.
• Automotive and Industrial Challenges: The automotive sector is experiencing mixed demand, driven by fleet vehicles and a shift towards luxury sedans and SUVs. The industrial sector faces cautious growth due to macroeconomic factors and higher interest rates, impacting capital expenditures.
• Defense and Healthcare Opportunities: The defense industry is in a long-term secular upswing, with a focus on future warfare technologies such as satellites and hypersonic missiles. The healthcare market is showing strong growth, driven by changing demographics and increased demand for medical devices. Octopart's data revealed that global medical device sales are expected to almost double in the next 10 years.
• Semiconductor Uncertainty: The semiconductor industry is facing hurdles with soaring inventory and unpredictable demand, leading to difficulties in forecasting a rebound. Octopart's data revealed significant shifts in semiconductor demand, impacting related categories like interconnect and passive devices. Staying informed and adaptable is now more crucial than ever for success in the ever-changing landscape of the electronic component industry.

If you missed the full webinar and wish to watch it, you can view it below or click here. You can also listen below or click here to listen to the full webinar on Spotify or all other streaming platforms. Stay tuned for more webinars in the future to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends.