Author: Michael Stratton

Honda Motor Co. recently announced production adjustments across several U.S. plants due to ongoing semiconductor shortages. Despite years of industry recovery efforts since the 2021 chip crisis, this development underscores an uncomfortable truth: global supply chains for automotive semiconductors remain fragile. For manufacturers, the issue is no longer just about sourcing—it’s about storage, preparation, and…

When a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Taiwan earlier this year, production at several major chip fabrication plants temporarily halted. Though most facilities resumed operations within days, the incident sent shockwaves—figuratively and literally—through the global electronics industry. It was a stark reminder that the semiconductor supply chain, though technologically advanced, remains geographically fragile. The Epicenter of…

Mexico’s manufacturing sector is in the middle of a historic expansion. Driven by nearshoring, trade stability under the USMCA, and supply chain diversification away from Asia, industrial real estate development in Mexico has surged to record levels. Global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are building new facilities at a pace not seen in decades—but this…

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are once again making headlines. As policymakers revisit tariffs on imported electronics, manufacturers across North America are bracing for renewed uncertainty. For companies that rely heavily on semiconductor components, even minor policy shifts can ripple through balance sheets and production schedules within weeks. While tariffs often dominate headlines…

As global supply chains shift, Mexico is emerging as a critical hub for electronics and automotive manufacturing. Driven by rising costs in Asia, trade tensions, and the desire to shorten lead times, companies are accelerating nearshoring strategies—building new plants and relocating production south of the U.S. border. While nearshoring offers advantages in labor, logistics, and…

The global demand for power semiconductors is surging, driven by the rapid growth of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced industrial automation. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices—essential for high-voltage, high-efficiency applications—are at the center of this demand. Yet production capacity has not kept pace, leaving OEMs with a difficult choice: risk…