AI component hikes force the world's largest PC makers to return manufacturing capacity to China
PC manufacturing in China tends to be cheaper because of an established supply chain and workforce. Smaller Chinese suppliers are also winning orders by offering easier access to domestic chip manufacturers like CXMT.
The rise in AI component costs has prompted the world's largest PC manufacturers to return some of their manufacturing capacity to China, according to Nikkei Asia. HP, Asus, and Acer have reportedly made this decision due to China's experienced workforce, lower prices, and established supply chain ecosystem. However, they are not returning to traditional suppliers like Foxconn, who focus on AI data centers.
Instead, they are signing contracts with smaller Chinese contract manufacturers such as Luxshare, Huaqin Technology, and Longcheer Technology. These contract manufacturers are working to establish themselves in PC manufacturing. The increase in component costs is primarily due to the AI-induced memory and storage chip shortage, which has caused memory prices to skyrocket by 500% in just 12 months.
Other parts like PCBs and fiberglass cloth used in motherboard manufacturing are also experiencing rising prices. Acer's chairperson and CEO, Jason Chen, expressed his frustration with suppliers who are exaggerating shortage concerns to protect their margins. While the tech companies are not abandoning their "China+1" diversification strategy, the mature industry in China is helping offset the increased component costs.
However, this shift in manufacturing capacity back to China is negatively impacting the newly established supply chains in Southeast Asia, as seen by several PC component suppliers moving their orders back to China.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
