ATLANTA – A new survey points to the need for continued research as companies continue to improve their understanding of the impact of the coronavirus on supply chains.

Semiconductor participants appear to have the greatest challenge as more than 60% of respondents are still unable to assess the impact level of the coronavirus on their ability to supply customers.

That's the finding of a new report from ECIA. The trade group further revealed that most companies able to gauge the influence of the coronavirus on their supply chains expect no increase or a “less than one-week” impact on lead times. The results are a "significant improvement" from prior surveys, ECIA added.

The trade group has been conducting the regular surveys of members to assess how Covid-19 is impacting the electronic components industry and the supply chain. Those surveyed include manufacturers and distributors. Read the executive summary here: ecianow.org/assets/docs/Stats/IndustryIssues/Synopsis%20-%20Coronavirus%20Survey%20Results%20Mar%2020.pdf

ECIA's latest survey found that every end-market, with two exceptions, will experience moderate declines in 2020. The exceptions are medical, which expects a moderate increase, and defense/aerospace sector, which will be relatively unaffected.

The results show that strong concern exists at every stage of the electronics components supply chain. The lowest level of concern is related to “Shipping and Logistics,” with most expecting only a moderate disruption. On average, only 5% expect no disruption and 15% expect only a minimal disruption.

The most recent survey was conducted Mar. 16 - 20.

Still, this survey was notable for a "major jump" in positive expectations regarding the impact on the ability of companies to supply customers on time. There is a large shift toward “no impact” and “minimal impact” in all three component segments with the largest share of responses falling in these categories.

In addition, the largest group now expects no disruption in the supply chain. However, this is not consistent with inputs on questions regarding concerns about impact at the different stages of the supply chain. As seen in previous surveys, a large share of respondents continue to struggle with adequate visibility on the supply chain and are unable to quantify the impact of this crisis.

“As the coronavirus/Covid-19 transforms from a China-centric challenge to a global pandemic, the impact on the world electronics supply chains and markets has shifted,” said Dale Ford, chief analyst, ECIA. “The results of the latest ECIA survey show that depressed end-market demand due to widening quarantine orders in major economies is significantly reducing pressure on the electronics components supply chain. Participants in the electronics components industry are now faced with the challenge of balancing the supply / demand environment in a world plagued with uncertainty and fear.”