Transportation problems, the rise in the price of raw materials and energy or the lack of essential components such as microchips: the industry tries to weather a "perfect storm" that has disrupted companies' plans, has skyrocketed costs production and, far from abating, threatens to continue disrupting markets well into 2022.
Businessmen and experts assure that it is a situation "of extreme complexity" that "goes on for a long time" and that it is a direct consequence of the covid-19 pandemic, which in 2020 paralyzed world activity, causing a real convulsion in the chains of production.
After the worst of the epidemic, demand has recovered, but many companies find it difficult to meet their commitments to customers, either because some components and raw materials, such as wood, steel or cardboard, are in short supply. because supplies arrive late due to transportation problems or because they have skyrocketed in price in recent months.
"What is happening is a real outrage. Every two or four years there is an imbalance between supply and demand, but this time the chain's breakdown is absolute. This is war, a real drama," explains David Ortega , Director of Operations of the Montronic Vic company, dedicated to the manufacture of electronic boards for sectors such as industrial, medical or telecommunications.
Microchips, the most precious asset
Montronic manufactures those green plates that integrate electronic devices and that require microchips for their operation, one of the most demanded -and scarce- components worldwide, the purchase of which has become a real headache for companies. .
In its 24 years of activity, Montronic does not remember the same situation: there is a huge demand and few semiconductor manufacturers, so companies must pay much higher prices to get them, and meet delivery times that can reach 60 or 70 weeks, if they are respected.
This company has had to go to "parallel channels", outside of the official distribution, to get microchips, with the economic extra cost that this entails, and once the batches arrive, it checks, manually and with X-rays, that the pieces are original and in good condition.
"Everyone breaks the commercial rules, there is a level of disloyalty never seen before," laments David Ortega, who acknowledges that this situation "creates a lot of anguish and anxiety" and there will be companies that "will not hold out." "Only the best ones will remain."
