Author: Michael Stratton

Advanced packaging is becoming one of the most important control points in the semiconductor supply chain. For years, the industry focused heavily on wafer output. If enough wafers could be produced, the assumption was that supply would eventually reach the market. That view is becoming outdated. Today, wafers are only part of the story. More…

For years, semiconductor supply chain risk was mostly discussed at the finished component level. Buyers watched lead times, pricing, allocation notices, and distributor availability to understand where pressure was building. Those signals still matter, but they now appear too late in the cycle. Current semiconductor news points to a larger shift. The risks that eventually…

Critical minerals are moving from the background of the semiconductor conversation to the center of supply chain strategy. On June 18, Reuters reported that China defended its export controls on critical minerals after the G7 pledged to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies and increase coordinated stockpiling. The G7 plan includes efforts to reduce dependence on…

For years, semiconductor buyers have watched lead times, pricing, and inventory levels to understand where the market is headed. Those indicators still matter, but they no longer tell the full story. In today’s semiconductor market, one of the most important signals may be happening further upstream: wafer fab equipment spending. Recent reporting shows that major…

Micron recently began producing advanced DRAM at its Manassas, Virginia facility, marking an important development for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. The expansion is expected to support industries such as automotive, defense, industrial equipment, and medical technology, all of which rely on stable access to memory components. While much of the industry conversation focuses on advanced AI…

Automotive memory is becoming a larger supply chain concern than many OEMs expected. Recent reporting from S&P Global Mobility found that automotive LPDDR4 prices were already up about 70% year over year by January 2026, with additional increases signaled for 2026 and 2027 as older generation memory supply tightens. The issue is not simply that…