This Week in Imaging: How Some OEMs Are Coping with Semiconductor Shortage

by Kathleen Wirth · August 19, 2022

As we’ve noted previously, one of the biggest problems the document-imaging industry is currently facing is the shortage of semiconductor chips, with supply not expected to get back to normal until next year. In the latest batch of quarterly financial reports, virtually all companies cited a shortage of components, particularly semiconductors, which inhibited their production, and consequently their sales. As we’ve also noted, it’s not just printer makers that are affected, as auto-maker Honda, for instance, recently reported net profit was down 33 percent, and cited the semiconductor shortage.

This week, IDC also reported on the second-quarter Western Europe printer and copier/MFP market, which was down 2.6 percent year-over-year.

According to IDC, some major OEMs are dealing with the semiconductor shortage by focusing on simple monochrome A4 printers as they use fewer chips and other components compared to color devices and MFPs, so that they can manufacture more devices. It also says this segment has recovered back to pre-pandemic sales.

IDC also said that most OEMs are seeing demand outstrip supply, especially in higher-speed A4 and A3 color segments where more chips are required for manufacturing the products. Those in this category include Canon, HP Inc., Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Ricoh, Sharp, and Xerox, although both Canon and HP have strong A4 and standalone printer lines. As for Sharp, it’s said that parent company Foxconn has been supplying it with chips.

Unfortunately, one thing that could jeopardize the semiconductor supply stabilizing next year is China. The country has recently stepped up its claims to Taiwan, the latter of which makes about 50 percent of the world’s semiconductors.

This Week in Imaging

Market Research and Reports

Supply-Chain Problems Continue to Affect Western Europe Printer and Copier Market

Research Firm Finds Hybrid Work Becoming the Norm

Printing and Writing Shipments Flat for July

Financial News

DocuWare Reports Revenue Up 24.7 Percent Year-over-Year

Office Printers and Copier/MFPs

Sharp Adds New High-Volume BP-70M75 and BP-70M90 MFPs

Acquisitions

UBEO Acquires Colorado Document-Imaging Dealer

Document Scanning